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Soil Freeze-Thaw-Induced Aggregate Structural Transformation Promotes Colloidal Cd Mobilization from Macroaggregates
Chang Liu1, Kengbo Ding1, Bofang Yan2
1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Freeze-thaw cycles mobilize cadmium (Cd) from soil aggregates, especially macroaggregates. Understanding this release is key to reducing environmental Cd risks in cold soils.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs) increase cadmium (Cd) mobilization in soils.
- Understanding aggregate contributions to Cd release is crucial for remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of different soil aggregate size fractions in colloidal Cd mobilization during FTCs.
- To identify the primary sources and mechanisms of Cd release from soil aggregates.
Main Methods:
- Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled with 111Cd isotope tracing.
- Microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) to analyze soil aggregate pore structures.
Main Results:
- 83-89% of colloidal Cd released during FTCs was associated with organo-clinochlore colloids (100 nm-1 μm).
- Macroaggregates contributed 64.1% of this colloidal Cd, followed by microaggregates (33.2%) and fine fractions (2.7%).
- Macroaggregates possess larger, more numerous pores and pore throats, facilitating freezeable water and FTC-induced disruption.
Conclusions:
- Macroaggregate structure and pore characteristics significantly amplify FTC-induced colloidal Cd release.
- Targeting macroaggregates is critical for mitigating Cd environmental risks and stabilizing Cd in cold soils.
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