Arsenic status and distribution in soils at disused cattle dip in South Africa.
The status and the distribution of arsenic in soils from a disused cattle dip were determined. Elevated total arsenic levels (1,033-1,369 mg/L) were detected in the soils. Significant difference (p < 0.05) between the values for the soils obtained from the contaminated sites and control site (0.15 mg/L) was observed. The level of total arsenic decreased with increase in depth. The peak total arsenic (1,369 mg/L) was obtained at 0 cm depth, indicating the abundance of arsenic at the surface despite the fact that the dip has been out of use for a long time. The total arsenic recorded for different depths were significantly higher than the trigger value of 40 mg/kg. The distribution of arsenic in the different phases showed that arsenic was mostly bound to the residual fractions (52%) and Fe and Al hydroxides (21%). The distribution of arsenic in the order phases was in the following order: exchangeable (14%), carbonates (10%) and soluble (3%).
Okonkwo
Jonathan Okechukwu
JO
Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, 175 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Arcadia, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0001, South Africa. OkonkwoOJ@tut.ac.za
D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D002254:Carbonates / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005843:Geography; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D012995:Solubility; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors
D002254:Carbonates; D006878:Hydroxides; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D001151:Arsenic