Changes in the speciation, partitioning and phytoavailability of chromium induced by organic soil amendments

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of two organic amendments (compost of cattle ruminai content and Sphagnum-moss peat) on the reduction of hexavalent chromium and the distribution of this metal among the main solid phases of a soil with low organic matter content treated with different levels of Cr(VI) (0–2000 mg Cr kg−1soil). At the same level of added organic carbon, the peat reduced Cr(VI) added to the soil from 250 to 2000 mg kg−1, with 100% efficiency. The reduction efficiency of the compost, however, decreased with the increasing dose of Cr(VI) soil. The distribution of Cr between the different soil components was evaluated by a sequential chemical extraction procedure. The concentration of water-soluble and exchangeable Cr decreased with the addition of organic amendments to the soil, whereas Cr increased in the organic fraction. The effect of added organic material on the Cr absorption was examined with two ornamental plants (Melissa officinalisand Begonia semperflorens). The increased Cr(VI) in the soil increased the Cr concentration in plant tissues. The addition of organic matter produced a greater aerial biomass for each level of added Cr in comparison with unamended soil. Sphagnummoss peat was more effective than the compost to decrease the total Cr and the Cr(VI) concentration in the water-soluble and exchangeable fraction of soil, thereby reducing the Cr accumulation in plants tissues and phytotoxic symptoms.