Lead adsorption in the clay fraction of two soil profiles from Fildes Peninsula, King George Island

Antarctica is considered the most isolated continent, but it is not free of pollution, which arrives at specific localities mainly as a result of tourism and research activities. Among environmentally harmful substances, heavy metals are especially important because of their high toxicity to organis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antarctic science 2013-06, Vol.25 (3), p.389-396
Main Authors: Mendonça, Thiago, Melo, Vander F., Alleoni, Luís R.F., Schaefer, Carlos E.G.R., Michel, Roberto F.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adsorption
Applied sciences
Biological and physicochemical properties of pollutants. Interaction in the soil
Clay
Earth Sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Exact sciences and technology
Groundwater pollution
Heavy metals
Leaching
Lead
Pollution
Pollution, environment geology
Risk reduction
Soil and sediments pollution
Soil profiles
Soils
X-ray diffraction
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Summary:Antarctica is considered the most isolated continent, but it is not free of pollution, which arrives at specific localities mainly as a result of tourism and research activities. Among environmentally harmful substances, heavy metals are especially important because of their high toxicity to organisms. The aim of this study was to estimate the maximum adsorption of lead (Pb) onto the clay fraction of samples from two soil profiles from the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, South Shetland Islands. Experimental data were fitted to the Langmuir isotherm, and the adsorption parameters were correlated to mineralogical attributes of this soil fraction characterized by chemical extractions and X-ray diffraction. Values of maximum adsorption of Pb in the clay fraction were extremely high (maximum value: 322 581 mg kg-1) when compared to those of soil samples from other regions of the world. Adsorption occurred in two stages: first stage in which a high percentage of Pb was adsorbed, and second stage in which adsorption was lower. From an environmental point of view, soils with high contents of clay and amorphous minerals, ones usually associated with ornithogenic activity in Antarctica, should have greater efficiency in filtering Pb, thus reducing risks of leaching and groundwater contamination.
ISSN:0954-1020
1365-2079
DOI:10.1017/S0954102012001071