Copper and Zinc Enrichment in Different Size Fractions of Organic Matter from Polluted Soils

Bioavailability of heavy metals in soil organic matter depends on its components. Characterization of heavy metal distributions in different fractions of soil organic matter is needed for better understanding of the fate of heavy metals. This study investigated the accumulation and partitioning of copper and zinc among different size particulate organic matter (POM) fractions in polluted soils from a former iron ore processing site in western Shaoxing County, Zhejiang Province. Physical fractionations were carried out to separate soil primary particles according to their size and density. Copper and Zn had a heterogeneous distribution among