Transport of Cadmium by Organic Solvents Through Soil

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Abstract
Solutions of 0, 50, and 100% 2‐propanol and ethylene glycol in water containing 1 mM Cd were perfused through soil columns of river sand, Anthony sl (coarse‐loamy, mixed [calcareous], thermic Typic Torrifluvents), or Davidson c (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Paleudults) at two initial soil moisture contents (air dry and water saturated) to determine if organic solvents have the potential to alter the rate of Cd movement through soils as compared with water alone. Soils adsorbed less Cd from ethylene glycol than from water. Cadmium breakthrough was rapid and Anthony sl and river sand adsorbed −1 when leached with Cd‐enriched 2‐propanol. The 2‐propanol increased Cd adsorption compared to water in the Davidson c. Cadmium adsorption increased with increasing 2‐propanol concentration in the Davidson c but decreased with increasing 2‐propanol concentration in the River Sand and Anthony sl. No consistent trends occurred with increasing ethylene glycol concentration. Davidson c and river sand adsorbed significantly more Cd at 95% confidence levels from 2‐propanol when initially air dry, while Anthony sl adsorbed more Cd when initially water saturated. Initial soil moisture content did not significantly affect ethylene glycol transport of Cd at the 95% confidence level.
Funding Information
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (R807915-01)