Washing of Various Lead Compounds from a Contaminated Soil Column

Soil samples artificially contaminated with 10 different lead compounds to produce 5,000 mg/kg Pb were washed with acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solutions. For variable pH, the highest washing efficiencies were achieved at pH 2, the lowest value examined. Washing with EDTA enhanced the removal of lead, the removal increasing with an increase in the EDTA:lead molar ratio. High removals (79–106%) of adsorbed lead (as lead nitrate), lead carbonate, basic lead carbonate, lead sulfate, and lead oxide were achieved with both types of washing. Although not washed effectively with acid, significant lead dioxide removal occurred with EDTA wash. The removals of lead sulfide, lead paint, lead dimethyldithiocarbamate, and elemental lead were low (near 0–16%) under all washing conditions. The removal efficiency of the lead is affected by the compound solubility, lead solid dissolution kinetics, and lead sorption into the soil. Results clearly indicate the importance of the form of lead contamination in determining the success of a soil washing operation. Comparison of these results with others suggests that soil washing success and soil lead bioaccessibility are related phenomena.