Dissolution of Aluminum in Variably Charged Soils as Affected by Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Acids

Low-molecular-weight （LMW） organic acids exist widely in soils and play an important role in soil processes such as mineral weathering, nutrient mobilization and A1 detoxification. In this research, a batch experiment was conducted to examine the effects of LMW organic acids on dissolution of aluminum in two variably charged soils, an Ultisol and an Oxisol. The results showed that the LMW organic acids enhanced the dissolution of A1 in the two investigated soils in the following order： citric 〉 oxalic 〉 malonic 〉 malic 〉 tartaric 〉 salicylic 〉 lactic 〉 maleic. This was generally in agreement with the magnitude of the stability constants for the Al-organic complexes. The effects of LMW organic acids on Al dissolution were greater in the Ultisol than in the Oxisol as compared to their controls. Also, the accelerating effects of citric and oxalic acids on dissolution of A1 increased with an increase in pH, while the effects of lactic and salicylic acids decreased. Additionally, when the organic acid concentration was less than 0.2 mmol L-I, the dissolution of A1 changed Iittle with increase in acid concentration. However, when the organic acid concentration was greater than 0.2 mmol L^-1,the dissolution of A1 increased with increase in acid concentration. In addition to the acid first dissociation constant and stability constant of Al-organic complexes, the promoting effects of LMW organic acids on dissolution of A1 were also related to their sorption-desorption equilibrium in the soils.

Utilizing Water Treatment Residuals for Phosphorus Removal:Batch Trials,Column Trials and Effects of Three Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Acids

Phosphorus( P) has been recognized as a major limited nutrient responsible for the eutrophication of surface waters. Water treatment residuals( WTRs) are safe by-products of water treatment plants and are cost-efficient adsorbents. In this study, batch experiments and column experiments based on WTRs were employed to study the characteristics of P adsorption and the effects of lowmolecular-weight organic acids( LMWOAs)( citric acid, oxalic acid,and tartaric acid) on P adsorption. Different models of adsorption were used to describe equilibrium and kinetic data. The adsorption data were fitted well by a pseudo-second order kinetic model. The adsorption process was determined to be controlled by three steps of diffusion mechanisms through the intra-particle model.The adsorption equilibrium was well described by the Langmuir,Freundlich,Redlich-Peterson,and Sips isotherm models. Batch and continuous flow experiments indicated that the LMWOAs exhibited inhibitory action,and as pH increased,the inhibitory action became weaker for all the three acids. The effect of LMWOAs concentration was not significant on inhibition. The effects of LMWOAs were closely related to reaction time.

Phosphorus release from phosphate rock and iron phosphate by low-molecular-weight organic acids

Low-molecular-weight(LMW) organic acids widely exist in soils, particularly in the rhizosphere. A series of batch experiments were carried out to investigate the phosphorus release from rock phosphate and iron phosphate by low-molecular-weight organic acids. Results showed that citric acid had the highest capacity to solubilize P from both rock and iron phosphate. P solubilization from rock phosphate and iron phosphate resulted in net proton consumption. P release from rock phosphate was positively correlated with the p K _a values. P release from iron phosphate was positively correlated with Fe-organic acid stability constants except for aromatic acids, but was not correlated with p K _a. Increase in the concentrations of organic acids enhanced P solubilization from both rock and iron phosphate almost linearly. Addition of phenolic compounds further increased the P release from iron phosphate. Initial solution pH had much more substantial effect on P release from rock phosphate than from iron phosphate.

Effect of Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Acids on Cl-Adsorption by Variable Charge Soils

Low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids exist widely in soils and have beenimplicated in many soil processes. The objective of the present paper was to evaluate effect of twoLMW organic acids, citric acid and oxalic acid, on Cl^-adsorption by three variable charge soils, alatosol, a lateritic red soil and a red soil, using a batch method. The results showed that thepresence of citric acid and oxalic acid led to a decrease in Cl^- adsorption with larger decreasesfor citric acid. Among the different soils Cl^- adsorption in the lateritic red soil and the redsoil was more affected by both the LMW organic acids than that in the latosol.

Adsorption of trichlorphon on phyllosilicate minerals:Effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids

The use of trichlorphon in large quantities causes a large number of organic pollutants to enter water, sediments, and soils. Phyllosilicate minerals are considered effective adsorbents for organic pollutants. However, the adsorption behavior of organic pollutants on soil minerals affected by low-molecular-weight organic acids(LMWOAs) is not fully understood. In this study, the effect of LMWOAs on the adsorption behavior of trichlorphon on phyllosilicate minerals was investigated using a combination of adsorption measurements and molecular spectroscopic techniques(attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)). The adsorption of trichlorphon onto kaolinite(KAO) and montmorillonite(MON) was suppressed by increasing pH, indicating that electrostatic interaction played a key role in adsorption, especially at low pH. In the presence of citric acid(CA), there was an obvious promotion of trichlorphon adsorption on KAO and MON. In the presence of oxalic acid(OA), the adsorption of trichlorphon on KAO was promoted, whereas the adsorption on MON was inhibited, especially at pH 4.0. The presence of CA and OA increased the adsorption by increasing the exposure of hydrophobic sites of KAO and MON. The results from ATR-FTIR and XPS also indicated that the hydrophobic Si–O sites of phyllosilicate minerals were the preferred adsorption sites for trichlorphon in the presence of CA and OA, probably driven by the hydrophobic effect. However, the weak effect of OA on MON caused an increase in the electrostatic repulsion between MON and trichlorphon molecules, thus inhibiting adsorption. This study is significant for a deeper understanding of self-purification of soil and sediment systems in the presence of organic pollutants.

Temporal and spatial variations of low-molecular-weight organic acids in Dianchi Lake, China

Low-molecular-weight organic acids （LMWOAs） in eutrophic lake water of Dianchi, Southwestern China Plateau were investigated diurnally and vertically using ion chromatography. Two profiles （P1 and P2） were studied due to the difference of hydrochemical features. Lactic, formic, pyruvic and oxalic acid were detected as major components at P1 and P2 which were on average 7.98 and 6.53 ~tmol/L, respectively, corresponding to their proportions of 2.68% and 2.48% relative to DOC. Pyruvic acid was regarded as the uppermost species at P1 and P2, reaching up to 3.82 and 3.35 μmol/L and accounting for 47.9% and 51.3%, respectively, in individual TOA. Although humus were of biogenetic production at both sites, the significant negative correlation between diurnal variations of TOAs, fluorescence intensity （FI） of protein-like components and humic-like components at P1 indicated LMWOAs were greatly originated from bacterioplankton excretion and degradation. However, correlations between diurnal variations of humic-like FI and physicochemical parameters demonstrated algal origination of LMWOAs at P2. Although content of humus was high, TOA at P2 was 1.45 ~tmol/L lower than that at P1, due to the co-influence of more intense photo-oxidation and aggregation at P2. Therefore, TOAs exhibited quite opposite diurnal variation trends of increasing-decreasing and decreasing-increasing at P1 and P2, respectively. Except for impact of solar radiation, bacterial decomposition and assimilation rendered shifts of maximal LMWOAs along water column at P1. Covering with massive algae, UV rays penetrated shallower depth that LMWOAs assembled in surface layer water before 18：00 at P2 and represented decreasing profiles.

Soybean(Glycine max)rhizosphere organic phosphorus recycling relies on acid phosphatase activity and specific phosphorusmineralizing-related bacteria in phosphate deficient acidic soils

Bacteria play critical roles in regulating soil phosphorus(P) cycling. The effects of interactions between crops and soil P-availability on bacterial communities and the feedback regulation of soil P cycling by the bacterial community modifications are poorly understood. Here, six soybean(Glycine max) genotypes with differences in P efficiency were cultivated in acidic soils with long-term sufficient or deficient P-fertilizer treatments. The acid phosphatase(AcP) activities, organic-P concentrations and associated bacterial community compositions were determined in bulk and rhizosphere soils. The results showed that both soybean plant P content and the soil AcP activity were negatively correlated with soil organic-P concentration in P-deficient acidic soils. Soil P-availability affected the ɑ-diversity of bacteria in both bulk and rhizosphere soils. However, soybean had a stronger effect on the bacterial community composition, as reflected by the similar biomarker bacteria in the rhizosphere soils in both P-treatments. The relative abundance of biomarker bacteria Proteobacteria was strongly correlated with soil organic-P concentration and AcP activity in low-P treatments. Further high-throughput sequencing of the phoC gene revealed an obvious shift in Proteobacteria groups between bulk soils and rhizosphere soils, which was emphasized by the higher relative abundances of Cupriavidus and Klebsiella, and lower relative abundance of Xanthomonas in rhizosphere soils. Among them, Cupriavidus was the dominant phoC bacterial genus, and it was negatively correlated with the soil organic-P concentration. These findings suggest that soybean growth relies on organic-P mineralization in P-deficient acidic soils, which might be partially achieved by recruiting specific phoCharboring bacteria, such as Cupriavidus.

Application of organic fertilizer for improving soybean production under acidic stress

The presence of acidic soil in rural areas poses difficulties for agricultural production.One factor regulating soil pH is the overuse of inorganic fertilizer.The increased use of fertilizers in soybean production not only raises sustainability concerns but also contributes to soil acidity.Therefore,the use of organic fertilizer could offer a solution for addressing both issues related to soil acidity and sustainability.The purpose of this study was to investigate the manipulation of soil pH using organic fertilizer for soybean production under acidic stress.The planting medium,consisting of a mixture of topsoil,rice husk charcoal,and organic fertilizer(in a ratio of 2:1:1),was supplemented with 0.5 g of NPK fertilizer as a basal treatment in each planting medium.To regulate the soil acidity to pH 4,we added FeSO_(4) and allowed the mixture to incubate for 30 days.The results demonstrate that the application of three types of organic fertilizers chicken manure(P1),oil palm empty bunch fertilizer(P2),and vermicompost(P3)positively impacts the growth of three soybean varieties.The findings indicate that the application of P2 organic fertilizer can increase vegetative growth almost 50%in soybeans on acidic soil,including plant height,leaf count,and root length.Meanwhile,applying P3 organic fertilizer can boost reproductive growth responses in soybeans on acidic soil,such as pod number(from around 0-4 unit to 42-51 unit),grain number(from around 0-5 unit to 88-90 unit),and grain weight(from around 0-0.37 g to 12-25 g).Organic fertilizer has the potential to regulate soil pH,promoting higher yields of soybeans under acidic stress.

Characterization of soil low-molecular-weight organic acids in the Karst rocky desertification region of Guizhou Province, China

Soil low-molecular-weight （LMW） organic acids play important roles in the soil-forming process and the cycling of nutrients in Karst regions. In this study, we quantified the contents of LMW organic acids （including lactate, acetate, formate, malate, and oxalate） in soil solution over the Karst region of Guizhou Province, China using ion chromatography. The concentration of total LMW organic acids in topsoil solution ranged from 0.358 to 1.823pmol＇g-1, with an average of 0.912p.mol.gL The mean concentrations of lactate, acetate, formate, malate, and oxalate were 0.2124-0.089, 0.3024-0.228, 0.301-4-0.214, 0.014zk0.018 and 0.086＋0.118 pmol.g-% respectively. There were also significant difference in the contents of these acids among four phases of rocky desertification, and their concentrations decreased with the aggravation of rocky desertification. The concentrations of the LMW organic acids were significantly positive correlated each other. Significant positive correlations were also observed among individual LMW organic acids in soil solution, and between them and soil available P, available K, exchange- able Ca, respectively. Furthermore, the concentrations of LMW organic acids were significantly positively corre- lated with inorganic anions （chlorides, nitrates, and sulfates） in Karst topsoil solution. Therefore, the concen- trations of soil LMW organic acids might be one of driving force in the Karst rock desertification process in Guizhou Province.

Effect of root derived organic acids on the activation of nutrients in the rhizosphere soil

Four types of soils, including brown coniferous forest soil, dark brown soil, black soil, and black calic soil, sampled from three different places in northeast China were used in this test. The functions of two root-derived organic acids and water were simulated and compared in the activation of mineral nutrients from the rhizosphere soil. The results showed that the organic acids could activate the nutrients and the activated degree of the nutrient elements highly depended on the amount and types of the organic acid excreted and on the physiochemical and biochemical properties of the soil tested. The activation effect of the citric acid was obviously higher than that of malic acid in extracting Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn for all the tested soil types. However, the activation efficiencies of P, K, Ca, and Mg extracting by the citric acid were not much higher, sometimes even lower, than those by malic acid. The solution concentration of all elements increased with increase of amount of the citric acid added.

Organic Acids Secreted from Plant Roots under Soil Stress and Their Effects on Ecological Adaptability of Plants

[Objective] In this study,the secretion of organic acids from plant roots under soil nutrient and water stress and the effects of organic acids on ecological adaptability of plants were investigated,which provided theoretical basis for improving the adaptability of plants to a variety of stress conditions.The results showed that,under nutrient and water stress,the content of organic acids secreted from plant roots increased significantly as a common active adaptive response.Organic acids could improve the activities of a variety of antioxidant enzymes,contents of osmotic regulatory substances,contents of chlorophyll and photosynthesis levels,promote nutrient absorption and transportation in plants,and ultimately contribute to plant growth and biomass accumulation,reduce the toxicity of stress conditions to plants and improve the stress resistance and adaptability of plants.

Analysis of organic acids in selected forest litters of Northeast China

Larch (Larix olgensis), Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica), Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) and White birch (Betula platyphylla) are the major planting species in northeast China. The samples of forest litters were collected from the stands of the above 4 species in Laoyeling and Jianlagou experiment stations of Maorshan Exp. Forest Farm (45?2-45?0N, 127?0-127?8E), Northeast Forestry University, in early October 2002. Quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis were carried out on the organic acids existing in freshly fallen litters (L layer) and hemi-decomposed litters (F layer) of the four forest species by using Gas Chromatogram system. A wide variety of organic acids were identified, including oxalic, malonic, fumaric, succinic, maleic, malic, citric, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3 and C20:0 acids. In respect of L litters of all samples, the oxalic acid content (over 30 mg/g) was the highest of the seven low-molecular-weight organic acids identified, while the content of oleic or linoleic (above 40 mg/g) was found to be highest among the six high aliphatic acids identified. As to F litters, oxalic acid content was also the highest, followed by linoleic and oleic. For the same tree species or the same forest, the kinds and contents of organic acids in L litters were more abundant than that in F litters.

Determination of Organic Acids in Root Exudates byHigh Performance Liquid Chromatography: III. Effectsof Interfering Factors

A solution culture experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of collection time and interferingions on separation and determination of low-molecular-weight organic acids in root exudates of soybeanusing the method for directly collecting root exudates. The suitable collection time of root exudates andthe interfering ions affecting organic acid determination were determined. The method for removing theinterfering ions was established and analyzed. The release amount of root exudates increased with theincrease of collection time from 0 to 120 min but decreased with increasing of collection time from 120 to 240min. The maximum exuding amounts of organic acids were observed in root exudates at the collection time of120 min. There was a significant difference of organic acid components between the treatments of collectiontime of 120 min and 240 min. Citric acid was found only in the treatment of 120 min collection time. NO3-was the main interfering ion in organic acid determination and had the same retention time as oxalic acid.Anion exchangs resin (SAX) properly treated by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) solventcould remove NO3- anion in sample solution of root exudates, thus enhancing the recoveries of organic acidsin root exudates. There was no significant effect of the chemicals added into sample solution such as H3PO4,SAX and KNO3 on the retention time of organic acids.

Effects of Exogenous Organic Acids on Dehydrogenase Activity in Dark Brown Forest Soils under Nutrient Deficiency

Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous or-ganic acids on dehydrogenase activity in dark brown forest soils under nutrient defi-ciency. [Method] Different proportions of A1 and B horizon dark brown forest soils （A1∶B=1∶2） were utilized to establish soil conditions with nutrient deficiency for cultivation of Larix olgensis seedlings. The effects of oxalic acid, citric acid and succinic acid on dehydrogenase activity in dark brown forest soils under nutrient deficiency were studied systematical y by adding different concentrations of organic acid solutions. [Result] Under nutrient deficiency, dehydrogenase activity in dark brown forest soils was reduced significantly, and the reduction increased with the extension of stress duration. Most organic acid treatments improved dehydrogenase activity in nutrient-deficient dark brown forest soils, and the effects varied with different treatment du-ration and types and concentrations of organic acids. Furthermore, 10.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mmol/L organic acid treatments exhibited the most significant effects on day 10, 20 and 30, respectively. The increment of dehydrogenase activity in different durations showed a downward trend of 30 d〉20 d〉10 d; the improvement effects of three organic acids on dehydrogenase activity showed a downward trend of succinic acid〉 citric acid〉oxalic acid. [Conclusion] Exogenous organic acids improved signifi-cantly dehydrogenase activity in dark brown forest soils under nutrient deficiency and also improved the microbial activity and soil fertility to a certain extent.

Effects of Exogenous Organic Acids on Phosphorus Availability of Dark Brown Forest Soils and Phosphorus Absorption and Accumulation of Larix olgensis Seedlings with Nutrient Deficiency

Different proportions of A1 and B horizons dark brown forest soils （A1∶B=1∶2） were utilized to set the soil nutrient deficient conditions, and Larix olgensis seedlings were cultivated. By simulating organic acids concentrations in forest litter leachates of northeast China, the effects and mechanism of different concentrations of organic acid solutions on phosphorus （P） availability of dark brown forest soils and P absorption of Larix olgensis seedlings with nutrient deficiency were studied. The results showed that, compared with A1 horizon soils, available P contents of mixed soils in A1 and B horizons decreased, and P accumulation and efficiency of P uptake in root and leaves of Larix olgensis seedlings also decreased, but efficiency of P utilization increased. After treatments of exogenous organic acids, available P contents of mixed soils increased and the impact sequence of different organic acids were succinic acid 〉 citric acid 〉 oxalic acid; the concentration of 5.0 mmol/L had the best function, and the best effect of organic acids was at 20 d. Organic acids also increased P accumulation and efficiency of P uptake in roots and leaves of Larix olgensis seedlings, but decreased efficiency of P utilization. The impact strength of organic acids on P accumulation and efficiency of P uptake varied with treatment time, type and concentration of organic acids. The results of 20 d and 30 d in roots were higher than those of 10 d, however, the results of 10 d and 20 d in leaves were higher than those of 30 d, thus, at the earlier stage of organic acids treatments, more P absorbed were transferred to leaves, and at the later stage, more P would be accumulated in roots. The concentration of 10.0 mmol/L had the best function, and the impact sequence of different organic acids was succinic acid 〉 citric acid 〉 oxalic acid. Therefore, organic acids might contribute to P absorption and accumulation by Larix olgensis seedlings, final y increasing the adaptability and endurance of Larix olgensis seedlings to nutrient deficient soils.

Ability of Agrogyron elongatum to accumulate the single metal of cadmium, copper, nickel and lead and root exudation of organic acids

Agrogyron elongatum were grown in nutrient solution containing moderate to high amounts of separate heavy metal of Cd, Cu, Ni and Ph in a greenhouse for a 9 - day. Cd, Cu, Ni and Ph generally led to decrease in the elongation of roots although the length of seedlings exposed to Cd and Ph at 0.05 and 0.5 mg/L showed to be slightly greater than that of controls. Of the four metals in the experiment, Ph was absorbed and accumulated to the highest level, with the concentrations of 92754 mg/kg dry weight (DW) in roots and 11683 mg/kg DW in shoots. Cd was moderately accumulated in Agrogyron elongatum, but the maximum bioaccumulation coefficients (BCs) for roots and shoots were observed. The patterns for Cu and Ni uptake and distribution in plants differed from those of Ph and Cd, as it was showed that the shoot accumulation of Cu and Ni was significantly higher than in roots. A. elongation had the highest Ni concentration in shoots (30261 mg/kg DW) at the external concentration of 250 mg/L. Cu ranked second, with a shoot concentration of 12230 mg/kg DW when 50 mg/L Cu in solution was applied. For the four trace elements tested, the highest concentrations in shoots decreased by the order of Ni > Cu > Ph > Cd (mg/kg DW), and those in roots were Ph > Cd > Ni > Cu (mg/kg DW). Malic, oxalic and citric acids exuded by roots exposed to 1 and 50 mg/L of the metals were detected. Release of organic acids from plants significantly differed among the metal treatments. Cu was most effectively in inducing root exudation of the three types of organic acids. Cd, and Ni were also the inducers of secretion of malic and oxalic acids. With reference of Pb, a small amounts of malic and oxalic acids were detected in the root exudates, but few quantities, of citric acid were. found. However, no correlation between alternations in root exudation of organic acids and metal accumulation could be established.

A review of the effects of dietary organic acids fed to swine

Animal production depends on nutrient utilization and if done there is an accelerated momentum towards growth with a low cost to feed ratio Public concern over the consumption of pork with antibiotic residues of the animals fed with antibiotic growth promoters （AGP） has paved the way to use other additives like herbs and their products, probiotics, prebiotics etc. Numerous feed additives are in vogue for achieving this target and one such classical example is the usage of organic acids and their salts. Usage of organic acids was in progress for over four decades. Early weaned piglets are （3-4 weeks age） exposed to stress with a reduced feed intake, little or no weight gain. This post weaning lag period is due to a limited digestive and absorptive capacity due to insufficient production of hydrochloric acid, pancreatic enzymes and sudden changes in feed consistency and intake. Lowering dietary pH by weak organic acids was found to overcome these problems. The main activity of organic acids is associated with a reduction in gastric pH converting the inactive pepsinogen to active pepsin for effective protein hydrolysis. Organic acids are both bacteriostatic and bactericidal. Lactic acid has been reported to reduce gastric pH and delay the multiplication of an enterotoxigenic E. coil These acids are the intermediary products in Kreb＇s cycle and thus act as an energy source preventing the tissue breakdown resulting from gluconeogenesis and lipolysis. Excretion of supplemental minerals and nitrogen are minimized with organic acids as these form complexes with minerals and aids for their bio-availability. Short chain fatty cids like acetic, propionic and n-butyric acid produced by microbial fermentation of dietary fibre in the large intestines may increase the proliferation of epithelial cells and have stimulatory effects on both endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretions in pigs. Organic acids also enhances apparent total tract digestibility and improves growth performance. It is concluded that organic acids and their salts increase the protein utilization especially in weaner pigs and improves production indices.

ATR-FTIR and XPS study on the structure of complexes formed upon the adsorption of simple organic acids on aluminum hydroxide

Information on the binding of organic ligands to metal （hydr）oxide surfaces is useful for understanding the adsorption behaviour of natural organic matter on metal （hydr）oxide. In this study, benzoate and salicylate were employed as the model organic ligands and aluminum hydroxide as the metal hydroxide. The attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared （ATR-FTIR） spectra revealed that the ligands benzoate and salicylate do coordinate directly with the surface of hydrous aluminum hydroxide, thereby forming innersphere surface complexes. It is concluded that when the initial pH is acidic or neutral, monodentate and bridging complexes are to be formed between benzoate and aluminum hydroxide while bridging complexes predominate when the initial pH is alkalic. Monodentate and bridging complexes can be formed at pH 5 while precipitate and bridging complexes are formed at pH 7 when salicylate anions are adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide. The X-ray photoelectron （XP） spectra demonstrated the variation of C 1 s binding energy in the salicyate and phenolic groups before and after adsorption. It implied that the benzoate ligands are adsorbed through the complexation between carboxylate moieties and the aluminum hydroxide surface, while both carboxylate group and phenolic group are involved in the complexation reaction when salicylate is adsorbed onto aluminum hydroxide. The information offered by the XPS confirmed the findings obtained with ATR-FTIR.

Cd uptake in rice cultivars treated with organic acids and EDTA

A pot experiment was conducted to examine the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the content of malondialdehyde （MDA）, proline and protein, and Cd uptake in different rice cultivars exposed to Cd （0, 1 and 5 mg/kg） in the presence of organic acids and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid （EDTA）. The results showed the increase in activity of dismutase （SOD）, contents of proline and protein but a decline in activities of peroxidase （POD） and catalase （CAT）, and MDA content for cultivars Xiushui63 and IIyou527. The resistance to Cd was higher in Xiushui63 than that in IIyou527 under the same Cd treatment. Cadmium contents in grain, straw and roots of both cultivars were markedly reduced in the presence of organic acids and EDTA. Grain Cd contents was the highest for plants treated with organic acids, followed by organic acids ＋ 1/2EDTA, and the lowest with EDTA; Cd contents in straw and root were the lowest for plants treated with organic acids, followed by organic acids ＋ 1/2EDTA, and the highest with EDTA treatment when exposed to Cd.

Effects of Organic Acids on Adsorption of Cadmium onto Kaolinite, Goethite, and Bayerite

Effects of organic acids (oxalic, acetic, and citric) on adsorption characteristics of Cadmium (Cd) on soil clay minerals (kaolinite, goethite, and bayerite) were studied under different concentrations and different pH values. Although the types of organic acids and minerals were different, the effects of the organic acids on the adsorption of Cd on the minerals were similar, i.e., the amount of adsorbed Cd with an initial solution pH of 5.0 and initial Cd concentration of 35 mg L-1 increased with increasing concentration of the organic acid in solution at lower concentrations, and decreased at higher concentrations. The percentage of Cd adsorbed on the minerals in the presence of the organic acids increased considerably with increasing pH of the solution. Meanwhile, different Cd adsorption in the presence of the organic acids, due to different properties on both organic acids and clay minerals, on kaolinite, goethite, or bayerite for different pHs or organic acid concentrations was found.