Interactions of metal ions, clay minerals and soils, the decontamination of soils | Institute of Chemistry

The interaction of metal ion and clay minerals/soils has been studied for a long time. The following systems have been examined:

Solid: soils, inorganic ion exchangers, clay minerals

• Macro cations: Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺
• Micro cations: Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺
• Radioactive fallout: ^134,137Cs⁺, ⁹⁰Sr²⁺, ¹⁴⁰Ba²⁺, ⁶⁰Co²⁺, ⁴⁵Ca²⁺, ⁶³Ni²⁺, ³⁶Cl^–, ¹²⁵I^–, ⁹⁹mTcO₄^–, ³H₂O, ¹⁴CO₃^2-
• Polluting ions: Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, CN^–
• Catalysts: H⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn(II,IV), Ce(III,IV), Pd(0,II)

   In addition the effect of H⁺ ion on the cation adsorption reaction has been studied as a model of the acidification of soils. The adsorption of PO₄^3- and cyanide anions on soil has also been investigated. The main analytical method has been the radioactive tracer method.

   In the effect of complex forming agent on the cation adsorption reaction has been studied, included natural (citrate, tartarate, amino acids) and artificial (EDTA, NTA, DTPA, etc.) agents. The processes have been evaluated by surface complexation models.
 

These studies can show the decontamination possibilities of soils from metal pollutants.