Trace Metal Concentrations in the Liquid Phase of  Phosphate Rock-Treated Soils

Concentrations of potentially toxic elements were determined in the soil solution of two soils (acidic sandy and slightly acidic clay loam) treated with phosphate rocks having high Cd content in a pot experiment. Relative concentrations characterizing the mobility of metals (expressed as soil solution concentrations in percentage of their “total” amounts in the phosphate rock-treated soil) decreased with increasing phosphate rock rates in the sandy soil. Mn@Sr>Cd@Co were the most, while Pb and Cr the least mobile elements. The relative concentrations in the clay loam soil were much lower than in the sandy soil and they practically remained constant with increasing phosphate rock rates. It was concluded that in the experimental time frame the environmental risk did not increase with the increase of phosphate rock rate.