New insight for the diffusion-resupply kinetics of Cr(VI) in contaminated soil using DGT/DIFS

Chromium (Cr) is a widespread pollutant with high toxicity and mobility. However, the diffusion-resupply kinetics of Cr(VI) between the solid phase and solution in the soils remain unclear. Here, we quantified the contributions of the soil solution and solid phase to the diffusion-resupply process of Cr(VI) in the contaminated soils using the diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) and DGT-induced fluxes in soils model. Based on the solution extraction result, Cr(VI) was the main available Cr species in the contaminated soils. Comparing the two diffusion-resupply stages of the kinetic process, the potential hazards due to the resupply from the solid phase can reach 10.71-50.66 %, although the soil solution accounted for the largest proportion of the effective concentration of Cr(VI) (49.34-89.29 %), which was ignored in the traditional equilibrium method. The kinetic parameters can be used to interpret the dynamic process. The resupply ability of the solid phase was closely related to the response time (T-c). The longer T(c )was consistent with the low desorption constant, indicating a kinetic limitation. The magnitude of the resupply from the solid phase was related to labile pool size of Cr(VI) and soil organic carbon content. This study established a new quantification method for assessing diffusion-resupply kinetics of Cr(VI) in the soil, indicating the underestimation of Cr(VI) risk based on the use of traditional equilibrium methods. Our data provided a scientific basis for ecological risk assessment, pollution prevention, surface-and groundwater control, and environmental governance in areas with Cr contaminated soil.

Automated summary

This study quantified the contributions of the soil solution and solid phase to the diffusion-resupply process of Cr(VI) in contaminated soils using DGT and a soil model. The results indicate an underestimation of the risk associated with Cr(VI) when using traditional equilibrium methods.