Effects of organic acids on heavy metal release or immobilization in contaminated soil

In order to explicit the environmental activity of heavy metals affected by different organic acids in soil,a batch incubation experiment was explored to investigate the influence of high relative molecular mass organic acid(HMWOA)(humic acid and fulvic acid)and low relative molecular mass organic acid(LMWOA)(threonic acid and oxalic acid)on the release or immobilization of Pb,Cu and Cd in soils.Results showed that LMWOA,especially threonic acid,had a good performance in the release of Pb,Cu and Cd from soils,and decrease in the fractions of HOAc-extractable,reducible and oxidable Pb,Cu and Cd.Conversely,HMWOA,especially humic acid,decreased the release of Pb,Cu and Cd,while it increased the fractions of HOAc-extractable,reducible and oxidable Pb,Cu and Cd,indicating that HMWOA can immobilize heavy metals.The release of Pb,Cu and Cd caused by LMWOA was attributed to the dissociation of soil organic matter and amorphous iron oxides since the total organic carbon and the water-soluble iron increased.The immobilization of Pb,Cu and Cd by HMWOA was attributed to the adsorption onto HMWOA followed by amorphous iron since HMWOA resulted in a significant decrease of zeta potential and an increase of amorphous iron oxide.It can be concluded that LMWOA has a potential application in soil washing remediation,while HMWOA can be used in the immobilization remediation for heavy metals contaminated soils.

Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Organic Acids in Two Late-blooming Rhododendron Species

[Objectives]The spatial distribution characteristics of organic acids in two late-blooming Rhododendron species(Rhododendron decorum and Rhododendron stamineum)in Guizhou Baili Rhododendron National Forest Park were explored,in order to provide reference for exploring the plant-soil relationship of subtropical forest.[Methods]The fresh leaf,stem,root,litter,humus and soil samples of R.decorum and R.stamineum were collected.The contents of eight low molecular weight organic acids including oxalic acid,tartaric acid,malic acid,citric acid,acetic acid,lactic acid,succinic acid and formic acid were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).[Results]Oxalic acid is the main organic acid in the two species of Rhododendron.Among different samples,the content of organic acids was in the following order:root>fresh leaf>humus>litter>stem>soil.[Conclusions]The content of organic acids in the root was significantly higher than that in other parts.The types of organic acids in stems were the least.

A review of environmental characteristics and effects of low-molecular weight organic acids in the surface ecosystem

Low molecular weight organic acids （LMWOAs） are prevalent on the earth＇s surface. They are vital intermediate products during metabolic pathways of organic matter and participate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle during life activities. Photochemical reactions are pivotal for LMWOAs＇ origination and play a large role in determining their diversity and their ultimate fate. Within the long time that organic matter is preserved in sediments, it can be decomposed and converted to release organic and inorganic pollutants as well as C, N, and P nutrients, which are of potential ecological risk in causing secondary pollution to lake water. The sediment pool is a comprehensive and complex compartment closely associated with overlying water by various biochemical processes, during which LMWOAs play critical roles to transport and transform elements. This article elucidates geochemical behaviors of LMWOAs in the surface environment in details, taking natural water, soil, and aerosol as examples, focusing on reviewing research developments on sources and characteristics, migration and mineralization of LMWOAs and relevant environmental effects. Simultaneously, this review article depicts the categories and contents of LMWOAs or their contribution to DOC in environmental media, and evaluates their importance during organic matter early diagenesis. Through concluding and discussing the conversion mechanisms and influencing factors, the next research orientations on LMWOAs in lake ecosystems are determined, mainly concerning relationships with hydrochemical parameters and microorganisms, and interactions with pollutants. This will enrich the knowledge on organic matter degradation and related environmental effects, and help reconstruct a theoretical framework for organic compound succession and influencing factors, providing basic data for lake eutrophication and ecological risk assessment, conducive to better control over water pollution and proper management of water quality.

Effects of low molecular weight organic acids on aggregation behavior of biochar colloids at acid and neutral conditions

Low molecular weight organic acids(LMWOAs),as active components in the rhizosphere carbon cycling,may influence the environmental behaviors of biochar colloids.This study selected the pine-wood and wheat-straw biochars(PB and WB)as two typical biochars.The effects of typical LMWOAs(oxalic acid,citric acid,and malic acid)on aggregation kinetics of PB and WB colloids were investigated under pH 4 and 6 conditions.Critical coagulation concentrations(CCCs)of both PB and WB colloids were decreased with the LMWOAs regardless of the types of biochar and the solution pH,and the most significant effect occurred in pH 4 due to more LMWOAs sorption on the biochar colloids.The different types of LMWOAs caused various CCCs changes.For example,the CCC values of PB colloids decreased from 75 mM to 56,52,and 47 mM in the pH 4 NaCl solutions when 1 mM oxalic acid,citric acid,and malic acid were present in the suspensions,respectively.The chemical structure(functional groups)and molecular weight of LMWOAs,solution pH,and the electrophoretic mobility(EPM)of biochar co-influence the interactions between biochar colloids and LMWOAs,thus affecting the stability of biochar colloids in the presence of LMWOAs.The presence of LMWOAs accelerated the aggregation of colloidal biochar by increasing the interaction of surface bridging bonds(hydrogen bonding)and decreasing the repulsive force between colloidal biochar particles.This study showed that LMWOAs could accelerate the aggregation of biochar colloids in acidic or neutral environments and reduce the mobility of biochar colloids in soil rhizosphere.