Changes on chemical fractions of heavy metals in Chilean soils amended with sewage sludge affected by a thermal impact

Abstract

Forest fires are frequent in central-southern Chile; high temperatures may affect chemical fractions of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Mo, Cr, and Mn) naturally present in soils and those coming from sewage sludge amendment. Changes in exchangeable, sorbed, organic, carbonate, and residual heavy metals fractions, evaluated by sequential extraction, were observed after heating at 400°C in 2 amended volcanic soils. Most significant heavy metals in these samples were Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni. A significant increment in the total content of organic matter and metal ions, such as Zn and Cu, was observed in amended soils with respect to controls. In all samples, sorbed and exchangeable forms represent <10% of the total amount, while organic and carbonate fractions represent 24 and 48%, respectively. The thermal treatment of amended soil samples results in a redistribution of the organic fraction, mainly into more insoluble carbonate and residual fractions such as oxides. Finally, the thermal impact is much more important on sewage sludge amended soils if a heavy metal remediation process is considered, reducing the mobility and solubility of heavy metals supported by sewage sludge, minimising leaching and promoting accumulations in surface horizons.