The role of clay minerals and the effect of H+ ions on removal of heavy metal (Pb2+) from contaminated soils

The importance of the surface charge of clay minerals (fixed or variable) and the effect of H+ ions on the adsorption and removal of Pb2+ ions from contaminated soil are investigated using kaolinite (variable charge) and two illitic (fixed charge) soils with pH 3.9 and 9.2. The adsorption-desorption characteristics of Pb2+ ions were determined using batch equilibrium tests and acid leach tests with various acids used to leach the soils. Under the same adsorption conditions, illitic soil adsorbed much more Pb2+ ions than kaolinite. The difference is largely due to the surface charges on the clay minerals. Removal of Pb2+ ions from variable-charge minerals (e.g., kaolinite) requires much less effort than removal of Pb2+ ions from constant-charge minerals (e.g., illite). The surface charge of a clay mineral has an important effect. By increasing the number of H+ ions available in the soil system with a buffer solution such as NaOAc-HOAc, heavy metals adsorbed on the clay surface are expelled to pore water. The increase in H+ ions in the soil system also assists in dissolving any metal carbonates, thereby increasing the solubility of heavy metals in illitic soil. The more H+ ions available in the pore fluid, the more Pb2+ ions can be released from the system.