Lithium Sorption/Desorption in Some Alkaline Soils: Modeling of the Kinetics Behavior

Abstract

AbstractGlobal concern over lithium (Li) in the environment has significantly increased due to its widespread uses. However, the literature review on Li kinetics in alkaline soils is scant. Hence, batch experiments were conducted to quantify and simulate the retention and release of Li in sandy and sandy clay loam alkaline soils. Sorption isotherms were fitted using Freundlich and Langmuir equations. Second-order two site (SOTS) and multi-reaction (MRM) models were applied to simulate sorption/desorption kinetic data. Results revealed the nonlinear behavior of Li sorption isotherms in both studied soils. The maximum sorption capacity (Smax) for the sandy clay loam soil (1268.6 mg kg−1) was three-fold higher than the sandy soil (368.9 mg kg−1) after 7 days of equilibration. The sandy soil and sandy clay loam soils exhibited distinctive kinetic Li sorption/desorption behavior. MRM and SOTS models described Li sorption/desorption kinetic well by considering the reversible and irreversible reactions in alkaline soils. Results indicate that sandy soil exhibits a time-dependent sorption behavior and a restricted desorption kinetic. In contrast, the sandy clay loam exhibited a limited time-dependent Li sorption, while the kinetic behavior was observed during the desorption reaction. Graphical abstract