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Zinc and Copper Solubility as a Function of pH in an Acid Soil
Author(s) -
McBride M. B.,
Blasiak J. J.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1979.03615995004300050009x
Subject(s) - chemistry , solubility , inorganic chemistry , copper , zinc , manganese , hydroxide , precipitation , adsorption , organic matter , metal , soil ph , soil water , geology , soil science , organic chemistry , physics , meteorology
Studies of the effect of pH and competing cations on Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ solubility in an acid mineral soil indicate the probable involvement of hydrous oxides of iron, aluminum, or manganese in the adsorption process. Adsorption on permanent charge sites of clays, or complexation with organic matter could not account for the apparent fixation of Zn 2+ in a nonexchangeable form in the pH range of 5 to 7. Nucleation of Zn hydroxide on clay mineral surfaces may have produced the strongly pH‐dependent retention in the soil; however, Cu 2+ showed more evidence of being controlled by organic complexation mechanisms. All soil solutions were undersaturated with respect to the least soluble hydroxides and carbonates of Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ , at least at pH values below 7, indicating that simple precipitation was not involved in metal retention in the soil.