Toxicity of Trace Metals in Soil as Affected by Soil Type and Aging After Contamination: Using Calibrated Bioavailability Models to Set Ecological Soil Standards

• DOI: 10.1897/08-592.1
• Publication Date: 2009-03-20T18:45:36Z
• Authors: Erik Smolders; Koen Oorts; Patrick Van Sprang; Ilse Schoeters; Colin R. Janssen; Steve P. McGrath; Mike J. Mclaughlin
• Keywords: TRACE (psycholinguistics); Soil Pollutants

Total concentrations of metals in soil are poor predictors toxicity. In the last decade, considerable effort has been made to demonstrate how metal toxicity is affected by abiotic properties soil. Here this information collated and shows these data have used European Union for defining predicted-no-effect (PNECs) Cd, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, Zn Bioavailability models calibrated using from more than 500 new chronic tests soils amended with soluble salts, experimentally aged soils, field-contaminated soils. general, pH was a good predictor solubility but across Toxicity thresholds based on free ion activity were generally variable those expressed total metal, which can be explained, not predicted, concept biotic ligand model. The rise almost proportionally effective cation exchange capacity yielding 10% inhibition freshly up 100-fold smaller (median 3.4-fold, n = 110 comparative tests) corresponding or change isotopically exchangeable proved conservative estimate upon aging. PNEC values specific types calculated information. corrections aging modifying effects metal-salt-amended shown main factors above natural background range.