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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Control of lead solubility in soil contaminated with lead shot: effect of soil moisture and temperature

R. G. McLaren A C , C. P. Rooney A B and L. M. Condron A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Soil and Physical Sciences Group, Agriculture and Life Sciences Division, PO Box 84, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand.

B Present address: Department of Earth Sciences, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, Bucks, England.

C Corresponding author. Email: Ron.McLaren@lincoln.ac.nz

Australian Journal of Soil Research 47(3) 296-304 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR08195
Submitted: 28 August 2008  Accepted: 1 December 2008   Published: 25 May 2009

Abstract

An incubation experiment was carried out to assess the rate of oxidation of lead (Pb) shot and subsequent transfer of Pb to the soil under different soil moisture and temperature regimes. Lead was readily released from Pb shot into the soil environment due to rapid corrosion of the Pb shot; however, the rate of Pb shot dissolution was slower at 70% than at 100% field moisture capacity. The corrosion and development of crust material on Pb shot, and corresponding increases in soil solution Pb and Pb associated with the soil solid phase, were also slower at 10°C than 25 or 30°C. Soil moisture and temperature also influenced the speciation of soil solution Pb as modelled using WHAM 6, mainly through the effects of moisture and temperature on soil pH, total soluble Pb, and dissolved organic C. The rate of approach to equilibrium of the Pb shot–soil–soil solution system will be much slower where soil moisture and temperature limit Pb shot corrosion. Calculated free ion Pb2+ concentrations suggest that after 6 months, almost all samples contaminated with Pb shot exceeded soil critical limits for Pb toxicity.

Additional keywords: lead shot, Pb fractionation, soluble Pb, moisture, temperature.


Acknowledgements

This work was partially funded through AGMARDT and Lincoln University through the award of scholarships to one of the co-authors (C. P. Rooney).


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