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TECHNICAL REPORTS
Heavy Metals in the Environment

Correlation of Cadmium Distribution Coefficients to Soil Characteristics

^a Chemistry Dep., The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
^b Informatics and Mathematical Modelling DTU, Building 321, Technical University of Denmark, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
^c Environment & Resources DTU, Building 115, Technical University of Denmark, DK 2800 Lyngby, Denmark

* Corresponding author (peho{at}kvl.dk)

Received for publication November 14, 2001. Cadmium (Cd) distribution between the soil solid phase and the soil solution is a key issue in assessing the environmental effect of Cd in the terrestrial environmental. Previous studies have shown that many individual minerals and other components found in soils can bind Cd, but most studies on whole soil samples have shown that pH is the main parameter controlling the distribution. To identify further the components that are important for Cd binding in soil we measured Cd distribution coefficients (K_d) at two fixed pH values and at low Cd loadings for 49 soils sampled in Denmark. The K_d values for Cd ranged from 5 to 3000 L kg^-1. The soils were described pedologically and characterized in detail (22 parameters) including determination of contents of the various minerals in the clay fraction. Correlating parameters were grouped and step-wise regression analysis revealed that the organic carbon content was a significant variable at both pH values. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and gibbsite were important at the low pH (5.3) while iron oxides also were important at the high pH (6.7). None of the other clay minerals present in the soils (illite, smectite, kaolinite, hydroxy interlayered clay minerals [HIM], chlorite, quartz, microcline, plagioclase) were significant in explaining the Cd distribution coefficient.

Abbreviations: CBD, citrate–bicarbonate–dithionite • CEC, cation exchange capacity • HIM, hydroxy interlayered clay minerals • TEA, total element analysis • XRD, X-ray diffraction