SREL Reprint #2991

Mechanisms and Pathways of Trace Element Mobility in Soils

R. Carrillo-González1, Jirka Simunek2, Sébastien Sauvé3, and Domy Adriano4

1Colegio de Postgraduados, Carr. México-Texcoco km 36.5, 56230 Texcoco, México
2Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 32521
3Environmental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry,
Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H1Y 3 M4, Canada
4Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802

Introduction:
Trace elements, hereafter referred to as TEs, are a major group of contaminants worldwide arising from natural and anthropogenic sources. In the modern era, the anthropogenic sources arising primarily from industrialization have assumed paramount importance in the quality and sustainability of ecosystems (Adriano, 2001). The main anthropogenic sources include mining and smelting of metallic ores, combustion of coal and other fossil fuels, use of pesticides in agriculture and timber industry, manufacturing, landfills, and so on. . . .
This chapter covers the basic mechanisms in the solubility and mobility of the TEs in the soil, including their movement in the soil profile, the entire vadose zone and the eventual leaching to the ground water. In essence the mechanisms influencing the extent of TE partitioning between the soil's solid and aqueous phases are elucidated in Section II. This leads to the various transport pathways (Section III) in soil responsible for disseminating TEs in the form of gaseous (volatilization), aqueous (soluble solute), colloids, and particulate matter. Then the most pertinent factors influencing the partitioning and movement of TEs are discussed. And finally, transport modeling of the most environmentally important TEs (Section V) and their applications (Section VI) typified by field case studies are illustrated. Transport modeling in the vadose zone is emphasized.

SREL Reprint #2991

Carillo-Gonzalez, R., J. Simunek, S. Sauve, and D. Adriano. 2006. Mechanisms and Pathways of Trace Element Mobility in Soils. Advances Agronomy 91:111-178.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).