[Effects of mixed chelators on the leaching of cadmium in contaminated soils under intercropping system]

In order to elucidate the influence of chelators on Cd leaching in contaminated soil, outdoor soil column (100 cm) leaching experiments were conducted using two paddy soils irrigated with Pb-Zn mining wastewater. Soil samples which under intercropping systems were collected from Qingyuan City (acid soil with pH 4.63) and Lechang city (neutral soil with pH 6.51), Guangdong Province of China. The mixture of chelators (MC) comprised of citric acid, monosodium glutamate waste liquid, EDTA and KCl with molar ratio of 10 : 1 : 2 : 3 at the concentration of 5 mmol x kg(-1) soil. The intercropping system used in this study was a Zn- and Cd-hyperaccumulator (Sedum alfredii) and a low-accumulating crop (Zea mays). Results showed that at day 2 after the application of MC, the Cd concentrations in leachates from every layer of neutral and acid soils increased significantly in the treatment with intercropping and MC. At day 8 the concentrations of Cd in leachate from layers below 20 cm in the neutral soil and below 60 cm in the acid soil were still significantly higher than those of control. However, the mobility of Cd was decreased greatly compared with that at day 2. At day 2 and day 8 the Cd concentrations in leachates from every layer of neutral and acid soils in the Co-crop + MC treatments exceed the value of the Groundwater Quality Standards (GB/T 14848-93). Cd in all soil columns showed the trend to migrate downwards, especially in the acid soil. The total Cd in the soil layers of 20 cm and 40 cm was decreased by 40% -58% and 39%-49% respectively at the end of the experiments compared to the initial value. After leaching of 100 days,the total Cd in 0-40 cm soil layer of acid soil reached the limit of National Soil Environmental Quality Standards (GB 15618-1995). The results also implied that in Cd-contaminated soil MC addition might enhance the potential risks of Cd contamination in groundwater.