An improved method for determination of heavy metal bioavailability in contaminated soil.

ABSTRACT

Bioavailability of heavy metal in contaminated soil is investigated. A general diffusion model for determining the heavy metal bioavailability in soil has been developed The bioavailability predictions based on the present model were more accurate than those based on a previous model. Experimental results obtained using cadmium-, copper-, zinc- and lead-contaminated soils were employed for model verification. The effects of soil pH, initial heavy metal concentration, temperature and soil type on the effective diffusion coefficient or bioavailability index were also examined experimentally. The theoretical model and experimental procedure proposed in the present study provide a convenient means for the determination of heavy metal or inorganic ion bioavailability in contaminated soil.