Estimation of Kd of lead and 210Po in 11 soils from India

The fate of contaminant transport is often estimated using the distribution (partition) coefficient, Kd. It is a measure of sorption of contaminants to soil. As Kd is element, soil type and ground water dependent, chemical characterization of soil and ground water of the particular site is essential. In this study, soil and ground water samples from different locations around India were collected. The soil samples were physically characterized and pH, CaCO3, cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter and organic carbon were determined. Equilibration time for lead and 210Po were estimated with respect to contact time and were found to be 28 and 72 h respectively. The Kd of lead varied from 6700 to 31,000 L/kg with a geometric mean of 15,200 L/kg, and for 210Po from 1400 to 8700 L/kg with a geometric mean of 3700 L/kg.