Zinc distribution and acid–base mobilisation in vineyard soils and sediments

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 414; pp. 470 - 479
• Main Authors: Fernández-Calviño, David, Pateiro-Moure, Mirian, Nóvoa-Muñoz, Juan Carlos, Garrido-Rodríguez, Beatriz, Arias-Estévez, Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-01-2012
• Subjects: Agriculture; Analysis of Variance; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; pH release; Regression Analysis; Sediments; Soil - chemistry; Solid Phase Extraction; Solubility; Spain; Vineyard soils; Vitis; Zinc; Zinc - analysis; European Union; Spain; pH release; Vineyard soils; Sediments; Zinc
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.10.033

Nineteen vineyard stands located in steep-slope areas of three wine-growing regions in northwest Spain were selected for this study. In each stand, a representative soil sample (19) and one or two sediment samples (24) were collected. In these samples, the Zn distribution in the solid phase was assessed. Moreover, the effect of pH on the release of zinc was determined using a batch-type experiment. The mean zinc concentration (109mgkg−1) of the samples was lower than the maximum concentrations allowed by the European Union. Moreover, most of the zinc that appeared in vineyard soils was residual zinc, suggesting a tendency for zinc in these soils to be irreversibly bound to soil components, reducing its potential environmental impact. In sediments, the mean total Zn concentration (126mgkg−1) was higher than those in the original soils and in the mobile fractions, which could mean a higher risk of liberation. Zinc release was higher under acidic conditions, in which release depends mainly on labile fractions. Under basic conditions, the release of Zn was lower and depended on Zn bound to crystalline oxyhydroxides.
► The sediment mobilised from vineyard soils was enriched in Zn. ► The highest degree of enrichment was produced in labile fractions. ► Zn release in response to pH changes was highly dependent on Zn fractionation. ► In acid and neutral conditions Zn release depends mainly on Zn labile fractions. ► In basic conditions Zn released depended on Zn bound to crystalline colloids.