Transport and Fate of Copper in Soils

The presence of toxic heavy metals in industrial effluents is one of the serious threats to the environment. Heavy metals such as Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Nickel, Zinc, Mercury, Copper, Arsenic are found in the effluents of industries such as foundries, electroplating, petrochemical, battery manufacturing, tanneries, fertilizer, dying, textiles, metallurgical and metal finishing. Tremendous increase of industrial copper usage and its presence in industrial effluents has lead to a growing concern about the fate and effects of Copper in the environment. Percolation of industrial effluents through soils leads to contamination of ground water and soils. The transport of heavy metals and their diffusion into the soils has therefore, drawn the attention of the researchers. In this study, an attempt has been made to delineate the mechanisms of transport and fate of copper in terrestrial environment. Column studies were conducted using perplex glass square column of dimension side 15 cm and 1.35 m long. The soil samples were collected from a natural drain near Mohali (India). The soil was characterized to be poorly graded sandy loam. The soil was compacted to the field dry density level of about 1.6 g/cm3. Break through curves for different depths of the column were plotted. The results of the column study indicated that the copper has high tendency to flow in the soils and fewer tendencies to get absorbed on the soil particles. The t1/2 estimates obtained from the studies can be used for design copper laden wastewater disposal systems.

Authors:

• S K Sharma
• N S Sehkon
• S Deswal
• Siby John

Keywords:

• Column study
• copper
• soil
• transport.

References:

[1] M. M. Wahba and A. M. Zaghloul, "Adsorption characteristics of some
heavy metals by some soil minerals"; Journal of Applied Sciences
Research, vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 421-426, 2007.
[2] R. Azzam and M. Lambraki, " Evaluation concept and testing method
for heavy metal contaminant transport in the underground", Engineering
Geology for Infrastructure Planning in Europe (Lecture notes in Earth
Science), vol. 104, pp. 117-124, 2004.
[3] T. Thayalakumaran, I. Vogeler, D. R. Scotter, H. J. Percival, B. H.
Robinson and B. E. Clothier, "Leaching of copper from contaminated
soil following the application of EDTA. I. repacked soil experiments and
a model", Australian J. of Soil Research, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 323-333,
2003.
[4] P. L. Carey, R. G. Mc Laren, K. C. Cameron and J. R. Sedcole,
"Leaching of copper, chromium, and arsenic through some free-draining
New Zealand soils", Australian Journal of Soil Research, vol. 34, no. 4,
pp. 583-597, 1996.
[5] D. E. Williams, J. Vlamis, A. H. Pukite and J. E. Corey, "Metal
movement in sludge-amended soils: a nine year study", Soil Science,
vol.. 143, no. 2, Feb. 1987.
[6] Y. Ma, E. Lombi, A. L. Nolan, McLaughlin and J. Michael, "Short term
natural attenuation of copper in soils: effects of time, temperature, and
soil characteristics", Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, vol. 25,
no. 3, pp. 652-658, 2006.
[7] J. E. L. Periago, M. A. Estevez, J. C. N. Munoz, D. F. Calvino, B. Soto,
C. P. Novo and J. S. Gandara, "Copper retention kinetics in acid soils",
Soil Science Society of American Journal, vol. 72, pp. 63-72, 2008.