Immobilization and phytoavailability of cadmium in variable charge soils. II. Effect of lime addition

The effect of pH-increases due to Ca(OH)₂ and KOH addition on the adsorption of cadmium (Cd) was examined in two soils which varied in their variable-charge components. The effect of Ca(OH)₂ on immobilization and phytoavailability of Cd from one of the soils, treated with various levels of Cd (0-10 mg Cd kg^-1 soil), was further evaluated using mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plants. Cadmium immobilization in soil was evaluated by a chemical fractionation scheme. The addition of Ca(OH)₂ and KOH increased the soil pH, thereby increasing the adsorption of Cd, the effect being more pronounced in the soil dominated by variable charge components. There was a greater increase in Cd²⁺ adsorption in the KOH-treated than the Ca(OH)₂-treated soil, which is attributed to the greater competition of Ca²⁺ for adsorption. Increasing addition of Cd enhanced Cd concentration in plants, resulting in decreased plant growth (i.e., phytotoxicity). Although addition of Ca(OH)₂ effectively reduced Cd phytotoxicity, Cd uptake increased at the highest level, probably due to decreased Cd²⁺ adsorption resulting from increased Ca²⁺ competition. There was a significant inverse relationship between dry matter yield and Cd concentration in soil solution. Addition of Ca(OH)₂ decreased the concentration of the soluble + exchangeable Cd fraction but increased the concentration of inorganic-bound Cd fractions in soil. Since there was no direct evidence for CdCO₃ or Cd(OH)₂ precipitation in the variable charge soil used for the plant growth experiment, alleviation of phytotoxicity can be attributed primarily to immobilization of Cd by enhanced pH-induced increases in negative charge.