Metal sorption onto soils loaded with urban particulate matter

Abstract The potential effect of urban particulate matter (PM) accumulation on metal sorption onto two contrasting soils (Chernozem and Fluvisol) was investigated in a batch sorption experiment. While the Freundlich isotherms did not indicate any effect of PM addition to the soils, the Langmuir isotherm allowed us to estimate the potential behaviour of the PM in the soil. The PM added to the Chernozem did not lead to substantial changes in sorption of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. On the contrary, the presence of PM in the Fluvisol increased the number of potential sorption sites in the soil. However, the results of the approximation showed a lower affinity of Cd, Mn and Ni for the Fluvisol and a better stability and a lower bioavailability of these elements in the Chernozem. In the case of Pb and Cu, no significant changes were observed in PM-enriched soils regardless of the soil properties.