Long-term dissolution and transformation of ZnO in soils: The roles of soil pH and ZnO particle size

Abstract

The ongoing use of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs)-associated commercial products results in large release of ZnO NPs into soils and has prompted systematic investigation regarding their fractionation and fate in soils. To date, little information is available about the long-term dissolution and transformation of ZnO NPs in different soils. The distribution and speciation of Zn in two different soils (i.e., Red soil (RS) and Wushantu soil (WS)) treated with either ZnO NPs or bulk ZnO were elucidated by combining soil incubation study with synchrotron-based techniques. Results revealed that ZnO NPs and bulk ZnO were almost dissolved after 1 day, indicating their rapid dissolution upon entering RS (pH-acidic). Rapid dissolution of ZnO NPs was also observed even in WS (pH- circumneutral). The solubilized Zn2+ released from ZnO particles was completely transformed into stable forms (e.g., Zn−Al LDH, Zn−OM, and Zn(OH)2) and Zn-Al LDH was the dominant species in WS after incubation for 360 days. A majority of solubilized Zn2+ released from ZnO particles was also transformed into Zn−Al LDH precipitate in RS. The findings of this study facilitate a better understanding of the fate of ZnO in soils, which could be leveraged for remediation of ZnO-polluted soils.