Water : soil ratio influences aqueous phase chemistry of indigenous copper and zinc in soils

Abstract

The effect of dilution on the composition of soil solutions of 8 contrasting soils ranging in pH from 5·3 to 8·8 with reference to zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) was studied. Soil samples were equilibrated with water in various water:soil ratios for 24 h. Equilibrium solutions were extracted and analysed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and major and minor elements. The separation of the soil solution at field capacity (FC) was carried out by a drainage method. Although the concentration of ions decreased upon dilution, the total quantity of sodium (Na), potassium (K), Zn, Cu, and DOC extracted per unit of soil weight increased. In contrast, the total quantity of Ca and Mg decreased in most soils. The ratio of Zn and Cu to Ca correlated to dilution level, whereas the ratio of Zn to monovalent cations decreased in low pH soils. The relationship between the quantity of Zn and Cu at different levels of the water : soil ratio in the soils studied showed that the concentration of these trace metals at FC soil moisture can be estimated from the soil extract.

Increases in soil moisture content led to a marked change in the ion-pair, free hydrated metal concentrations, and complexation. Log Zn²⁺ was linearly related to solution pH. Zinc solubility was not consistent with published solubilities of any common minerals. Also, Zn solubility in alkaline soils tended to be higher than reported values in the literature, indicating that soluble metal–organic ligand complexation was underestimated in these soils. The relationship between pH and log Zn²⁺ was affected by dilution in several ways.