Abstract
The extent to which heavy metal ions (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd) are removed from aqueous solution by humic acid suspensions has been found to vary with solution pH, concentration of competing cations, nature of the organic material, and the complexing power of any ligands present.
The amount adsorbed in acid media increased with pH until the threshold value required for partial dissolution of the solid, and formation of soluble metal humates, was exceeded The adsorption maximum pH, and the apparent capacity at lower values, varied with the substrate used and cation being sorbed.
The affinity order sequence, as derived from adsorption isotherm studies, was Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn ≫ Ca > Mg. The retention of metal ion by the solid was reduced in the presence of ligands, with zero uptake occurring when the soluble complexes formed had a greater effective stability than those resulting from humic acid-metal ion interactions.
With environmental systems having a high organic content, the humic acid component can play a dominant role in determining the final distribution of metal ions, and for predictive purposes, investigation of the effect of pH on uptake is more informative than measurement of adsorption isotherm parameters, since the observed trends reflect differences in functional group properties, relative affinities and solubility effects. The curves have minima which fall within the pH spreads encountered in natural systems, and small pH changes can cause significant variations in solution levels.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baker, W. E.: 1973, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 37, 269.
Baker, W. E.: 1978, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 42, 645.
Boyd, G. E., Schubert, J., and Adamson, A. W.: 1947, J. Amen Chem. Soc. 69, 2818.
Bracewell, J. M. and Robertson, G. W.: 1976, J. Soil Sci. 27, 196.
Chen, Y., Senesi, N. and Schnitzer, M.: 1978, Geoderma 20, 87.
Chernikov, V. A. and Konchits, V. A.: 1979, Biol. Nauki (Moscow) 2, 70 (C.A. 90:167121).
Guy, R. D., Chakrabarti, C. L., and Schramm, L. L.: 1975, Can. J. Chem. 53, 661.
Harter, R. D. and Baker, D. E.: 1977, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 41, 1077.
Kodama, H. and Schnitzer, M.: 1973, Can. J. Soil Sci. 53, 240.
Kulchaev, E. M.: 1978, Isv. Timiryazevsk S-kh Akad. 115 (C.A. 88:188904).
Kurechi, T. and Kato, T.: 1977, Tokyo Yakka Daigaku Kenkyu Nanpo 27, 755 (C.A. 90:167247).
Lakatos, B., Tibai, T., and Meisel, T.: 1976, Agrokem. Talajtan 25, 305 (C.A. 86: 119970).
McLaren, R. G. and Crawford, D. V.: 1973, J. Soil Sci. 24, 443.
Nissenbaum, A. and Swaine, D. J.: 1976, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 40, 809.
Perdue, E. M.: 1978, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 42, 1351.
Ramunni, A. and Palmiera, F.: 1976, Ann. Far. Sci. Agrar, Univ. Studi Napoli Portici 9–10, 185 (C.A. 89:59145).
Rashid, M. A.: 1971, Soil Sci. 111, 298.
Rashid, M. A. and Leonard, J. D.: 1973, Chem. Geol. 11, 89.
Riffaldi, R. and Levi-Minzi, R.: 1975, Water, Air Soil Pollut. 4, 179.
Riffaldi, R., Levi-Minzi, R., and Lopez de Sa, E. J.: 1977, Inquinamento 19, 41.
Saiz-Jiminez, C., Haider, K., and Maizelaar, H. C. C.: 1979, Geoderma 22, 25.
Schnitzer, M. and Skinner, S. I. M.: 1963, Soil Sci. 96, 181.
Schuman, M. S. and Cromer, J. L.: 1979, Environ. Sci. Technol. 13, 543.
Shah, R. K., Chokshi, M. R., and Soni, K. P.: 1977, J. Indian Chem. Soc. 54, 912.
Singer, A. and Navrot, J.: 1976, Nature 262, 479.
Stevenson, F. J.: 1977, Soil Sci. 123, 10.
Takamatsu, T. and Yoshida, T.: 1978, Soil Sci. 125, 377.
Zunino, H., Peirano, P., Aguilera, M., and Schalscha, E. B.: 1975, Soil Sci. 119, 210.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Beveridge, A., Pickering, W.F. Influence of humate-solute interactions on aqueous heavy metal ion levels. Water Air Soil Pollut 14, 171–185 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00291834
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00291834