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Combining Size Fractionation, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy to Probe Zinc Speciation in Pig Slurry
Author(s) -
Legros S.,
Doelsch E.,
Masion A.,
Rose J.,
Borschneck D.,
Proux O.,
Hazemann JL.,
SaintMacary H.,
Bottero JY.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2009.0096
Subject(s) - zinc , slurry , chemistry , atomic absorption spectroscopy , bioavailability , scanning electron microscope , fractionation , environmental chemistry , genetic algorithm , analytical chemistry (journal) , absorption (acoustics) , particle size , materials science , chromatography , bioinformatics , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , evolutionary biology , composite material , biology
Zinc occurs in high quantity in pig slurry since it is used as an essential micronutrient at high concentrations in animal feeds despite the low Zn assimilation by pigs. Zinc accumulation was measured in soil surface layers that had been amended with pig slurry, while also determining the phytotoxicity as well as the extent of groundwater quality degradation. To accurately predict the mobility and bioavailability of Zn derived from pig slurry spreading, the speciation of this element has to be assessed since the total concentration is not sufficient. This study involved a combination of techniques to investigate Zn speciation in pig slurry. Size fractionation was first performed to account for the complexity of pig slurry, and 75% of total Zn was detected in the 0.45‐ to 20‐μm particle‐size range. Then X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive spectrometer, and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure analyses were combined to assess Zn speciation. The findings highlighted the presence of 49% Zn bound to organic matter, 37% amorphous Zn hydroxides [Zn(OH) 2 ], and 14% sphalerite (ZnS).