Effects of cations and anions on iron and manganese sorption and desorption capacity in calcareous soils from Iran

This study investigated the effect of cations and anions on the sorption and desorption of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in six surface calcareous soil samples from Western Iran. Six 10 mM electrolyte background solutions were used in the study, i.e., KCl, KNO3, KH2PO4, Ca(NO3)2, NaNO3, and NH4NO3. NH4NO3 and NaNO3 increased the soil retention of Fe and Mn, whereas Ca(NO3)2 decreased the soil retention of Fe and Mn. Iron and Mn sorption was decreased by NO3− compared with H2PO4− or Cl−. The Freundlich equation adequately described Fe and Mn adsorption, with all background electrolytes. The Freundlich distribution coefficient (KF) decreased in the order H2PO4− > Cl− > NO3− for Mn and H2PO4− > NO3− > Cl− for Fe. The highest sorption reversibility was for Fe and Mn in competition with a Ca2+ background, indicating the high mobility of these two cations. A MINTEQ speciation solubility model showed that Fe and Mn speciation was considerably affected by the electrolyte background used. Saturation indices indicated that all ion background solutions were saturated with respect to siderite and vivianite at low and high Fe concentrations. All ion background solutions were saturated with respect to MnCO3(am), MnHPO4, and rhodochrosite at low and high Mn concentrations. The hysteresis indices (HI) obtained for the different ion backgrounds were regressed on soil properties indicating that silt, clay, sand, and electrical conductivity (EC) were the most important soil properties influencing Fe adsorption, while cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter (OM), and Mn-DTPA affected Mn adsorption in these soils.