Open AccessModeling Copper and Cadmium Mobility in an Albeluvisol Amended with Urban Waste Composts
Author(s) -
Filipović Vilim,
Cambier Philippe,
Filipović Lana,
Coquet Yves,
Pot Valérie,
Bodineau Guillaume,
Jaulin Anne,
Mercier Vincent,
Houot Sabine,
Benoit Pierre
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
vadose zone journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.036
H-Index - 81
ISSN - 1539-1663
DOI - 10.2136/vzj2016.07.0056
Subject(s) - compost , sorption , lysimeter , chemistry , leaching (pedology) , amendment , environmental chemistry , cadmium , organic matter , soil horizon , soil water , soil science , environmental engineering , environmental science , adsorption , waste management , engineering , organic chemistry , political science , law
Core Ideas Mobility of Cu and Cd in compost‐amended soil was estimated using HYDRUS‐2D. Cu and Cd mobility was controlled by sorption in the tilled layer. Different sorption estimations were used to model trace metal leaching. EDTA/CaCl 2 extracts ratio gave reliable K d estimates for Cu but not for Cd. Most of the Cu and Cd mass remained in the tilled layer. Two experimental plots amended with a co‐compost of sewage sludge and green wastes (SGW) or with a municipal solid waste compost (MSW) were compared with a control plot without organic amendment (CONT) in terms of trace metals mobility. These plots were equipped with wick lysimeters, time‐domain reflectometry probes and tensiometers for 6 yr (2004–2010). Different soil structures due to tillage and compost incorporation were identified in the tilled layers and reproduced in HYDRUS‐2D for simulating water, Cu, and Cd transport. Two sorption estimation approaches were used, either assuming equilibrium between CaCl 2 and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) extractable metals ( K d‐1 ) or using equations based on pedotransfer functions assuming nonlinear sorption for Cu ( K f ) and linear sorption for Cd ( K d‐2 ). Lysimeter data on Cu leaching were successfully reproduced with the K d‐1 approach for the SGW and CONT plots (model efficiency coefficient E SGW = 0.97, E CONT = 0.95), while the MSW plot showed better fitting with the K f approach ( E MSW = 0.77), which could be explained by the less stable organic matter of the MSW compost because it takes into account organic matter components (dissolved organic C and soil organic matter). The Cd leaching was reproduced with the K d‐2 approach for the two amended plots ( E SGW = 0.12, E MSW = 0.80), while CONT simulation overestimated leaching. The percentage of measured Cu and Cd leached in reference to input mass was 0.6 and 2.7%, respectively, in the SGW plot compared with 5% for both metals in the MSW plot. Trace metal mobility appeared to be limited in the tilled layer by sorption to organic matter.