Zinc sorption–desorption by two Andepts: effect of pH and support medium

Summary Laboratory experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of pH, ionic strength and electrolyte composition on zinc sorption–desorption by two Andepts from the Canary Islands (Spain). At the natural soil pH, the soils exhibited little net negative surface charge and small Zn sorption capacities. More than 75% of the sorbed Zn was apparently strongly bonded. The pH greatly influenced the sorption–desorption reactions. Sorption increased with increasing pH, and retention increased abruptly at pH > 6.0. Sorption also occurred at pH values below the point of zero charge (PZC) of the soils, when most of the surface sites are positively charged. Desorption decreased continuously with rising pH and became a trace at pH > 6.0. An increase in the ionic strength of the background electrolyte decreased Zn sorption and enhanced the amount of sorbed metal that could be subsequently released. In the two soils, Zn sorption diminished somewhat in the K and Ca electrolytes as compared with the Na electrolyte. However, this did not happen at small Zn loadings. Desorption was not affected by the type of electrolyte and cation used. The results are consistent with chemisorption being responsible for most of the sorption. The results also suggested a strong affinity sorption or even precipitation at high pHs.