Fractionation of trace elements in some non-agricultural Australian soils

Abstract

The fractionation of Ag, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in highly weathered soils was investigated using 5 operationally defined fractions: exchangeable, organic, amorphous Fe oxides, crystalline Fe oxides, and residual fraction. Crystalline Fe oxide and residual phases were the dominant hosts of Ag in the original soils, but for soils to which soluble Ag was added, much Ag was in the crystalline Fe oxide fractions and only a relatively small proportion of Ag was in the residual fraction. Crystalline Fe oxides and the residual fraction were also the major hosts to Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn.