Effect of fluctuating hydrological conditions on the mobility of heavy metals in soils of a freshwater estuary in The Netherlands

The objective of this study was to measure the mobility of heavy metals in freshwater estuary soils that are seasonally inundated and to characterize the distribution of sulfide precipitates in these soils. Precipitation and dissolution of labile sulfides may account for changing pore water concentr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 1998-03, Vol.102 (3-4), p.377-388
Main Authors: VAN DEN BERG, G. A, LOCH, J. P. G, WINKELS, H. J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Aquatic soils
Biodegradation
Biological and physicochemical properties of pollutants. Interaction in the soil
Brackish
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Electron microprobe
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental monitoring
Estuaries
Exact sciences and technology
Fresh water
Groundwater
Groundwater levels
Heavy metals
Metal concentrations
Metals
Mobility
Organic matter
Organic soils
Pollution
Pollution, environment geology
Pore water
Seasonal distribution
Soil and sediments pollution
Soil degradation
Soil types
Sulfides
Sulfur
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Summary:The objective of this study was to measure the mobility of heavy metals in freshwater estuary soils that are seasonally inundated and to characterize the distribution of sulfide precipitates in these soils. Precipitation and dissolution of labile sulfides may account for changing pore water concentrations of heavy metals in freshwater wetland soils that are subject to temporary flooding or fluctuating groundwater levels. The presence of authigenic zinc- and iron-(mono)sulfide in this type of soils during periods with a high groundwater level was demonstrated by electron microprobe analyses. Because sulfide precipitates are strongly associated with root remnants, fresh soil organic material may be an important intermediary in the sulfur cycling and, consequently, in the behavior of heavy metals in these freshwater soils. Oxidation of labile sulfides may be partly responsible for the increased zinc and sulfate concentrations in the pore water during periods with low groundwater levels. Heavy metals may also be mobilized by degradation of their host phase organic matter during periods with high biodegradation.
ISSN:0049-6979
1573-2932
DOI:10.1023/A:1004920700598