Characterizing the release of cadmium from 13 purple soils by batch leaching tests

Cadmium (Cd), through human activities, has severely accumulated in purple soil. Purple soil is considered as one of the most important types of agricultural soil in Southern China. In this study, we investigated the release of Cd from 13 purple soils with a wide range of total Cd content collected from vegetable fields and forestlands in Sichuan Basin. Soil batch extraction and column leaching experiments were conducted to determine the influence of chemical speciation, soil properties, soil water contact time, and soil/water ratio on the release characteristics of Cd from soil. Results indicate that Cd release was primarily present in exchangeable, carbonate-bound, and organically bound fractions. Moreover, precipitation-induced, long-term saturated conditions enhance the release of Cd from soil to water. Multiple regression analysis also shows that the release of Cd from soil is related to pH level, organic matter amount, and total Cd content in native soil. This finding explains the Cd release variation of 86% and 95% during batch extraction and column leaching experiments, respectively. Finally, this investigation provides a more convenient way of evaluating potential ecological risks of Cd in purple soil by determining the properties of several common soil types.

► Increasing soil–water contact time and soil/water ratios aggravate the release of Cd in purple soils.
► Cd release is present in exchangeable, carbonate-bound and organically bound fractions.
► Precipitation-induced long-term saturated conditions enhance Cd release to water from soils.
► Cd release could be evaluated from the determination of several common soil properties.