Adsorption properties of Ni, Cu, and Zn in young alkaline lake sediments in south Hungary (Lake Fehér, Szeged)

Abstract

Halmos L., Bozso G., Pal-Molnar E. (2015): Adsorption properties of Ni, Cu, and Zn in young alkaline lake sediments in south Hungary (Lake Feher, Szeged). Soil & Water Res., 10: 244–251. Adsorption properties of Cu, Ni, and Zn in alkaline sediments of Lake Feher at Szeged (Hungary) were inves tigated. The effects of pollution of these three chosen phytotoxic elements in sodic sediments were primarily examined. These elements are strongly adsorbed in the soils and sediments with relatively high pH values for a long time without any influence on the geochemical processes. However, the salinization (indicated by the global climate change) of soils and sediments can strongly change the original geochemical status. For the adsorption experiments, the horizons with the highest organic matter contents were selected from two profiles. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), particle size distribution, carbonate content, quality and quantity of organic matter, and clay mineral content of the selected samples were also determined. Efficiency of the adsorption is reduced in Cu >> Zn > Ni and Cu > Ni >> Zn order based on the calculated maximum and specific adsorption values. The adsorption properties of heavy metals are dependent on the content of soil constituents. The results showed that Cu has the highest but not the same affinity to each of the sorbent materials. Ni is strongly while Zn is less bounded to the organic matter. In most cases the results showed that the most effective fixative soil constituent is carbonate, followed by clay minerals and, last, organic matter regarding to the investigated elements.