Double pH control on humic substance-borne trace elements distribution in soil waters as inferred from ultrafiltration.

Colloidal dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an important carrier phase for trace elements (TE) in subsurface environments. As suggested by previously published field observations, preferential sorption of DOC onto mineral surfaces tends to enrich the solid phase in humic acids. This DOC fractionation may affect the mobility of TE. pH is known to play an important role in the stability of colloids. This study was therefore dedicated to identifying the influence of DOC fractionation on TE mobility. Sequential extraction has been used to provide information on the possible TE carriers within soil (as exchangeable, weak acid soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and nonextractible metal fractions). Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of pH on the detachment of colloids and associated TE. Different groups of elements were identified according to TE behavior during pH changes. Several elements displayed increasing concentrations with decreasing pH. These concentrations can represent an important fraction of the total soil concentration. By contrast, other elements showed increasing concentrations following increasing pH, in association with an increasing amount of colloids in soil solution. Concerning this latter group, two colloidal carrier phases were identified during the pH increase: (i) the first one concerned the majority of elements, which were associated with humic substances remaining in solution, and (ii) the second one involved several TE rather associated with nanooxides. Therefore, DOC fractionation plays a key role in the TE concentration in soil solution during pH changes.