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Published on: September 1, 2020
Time-resolved XANES speciation studies of chromium on soils during simulated contamination
1Centre for Materials and Surface Science and Department of Physics, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia. p.kappen@latrobe.edu.au
Abstract:
Time-resolved synchrotron X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was used to study changes of chromium speciation in soils upon soil-water interaction. The time resolution was 30-45 min. In a flow-column apparatus operated near the synchrotron beamline, two different types of soil were treated with potassium-dichromate solution, and soil samples were taken and directly analysed by XANES. The results provide insight into different equilibrium times of a few hours, depending on the type of soil. The XANES speciation analyses, based on a model comprising insoluble Cr(III) and Cr(VI) compounds, show how the fate of Cr species on soils can be followed close to real-time. Since the method allowed the soils to be investigated close to real-time, sampling in the field and preservation before analysis were made redundant. This study benefits the development of corresponding in situ remediation techniques.
