Solubility,sorption and desorption of native and added cadmium in relation to properties of soils in New Zealand

Solution cadmium (Cd) concentrations and sorption and desorption of native and added Cd were studied in a range of New Zealand soils. The concentration of Cd in solution and the concentrations and patterns of native soil Cd desorbed and added Cd sorbed and desorbed varied greatly between the 29 soils studied. Correlation analysis revealed that pH was the most dominant soil variable affecting solution Cd concentration and sorption and desorption of native and added Cd in these soils. However, organic matter, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and total soil Cd were also found to be important. Multiple regression analysis showed that the log concentration of Cd in solution was strongly related to soil pH, organic matter and total Cd, which in combination explained 76% of the variation between soils. When data from the present study were combined into a single multiple regression with soil data from a previously published study, the equation generated could explain 81% of the variation in log Cd solution concentration. This reinforces the importance of pH, organic matter and total Cd in controlling solution Cd concentrations. Simple linear regression analysis could at best explain 53% of the total variation in Cd sorption or desorption for the soils studied. Multiple regression analysis showed that native Cd desorption was related to pH, organic matter and total Cd, which in combination explained 85% of the variation between soils. For sorption of Cd (from 2 μg Cd g^–1 soil added), pH and organic matter in combination explained 75% of the variation between soils. However, for added Cd desorption (%), pH and CEC explained 77%. It is clear that the combined effects of a range of soil properties control the concentration of Cd in solution, and of sorption and desorption of Cd in soils. The fraction of potentially desorbable added Cd in soils could also be predicted from a soil’s K_d value. This could have value for assessing both the mobility of Cd in soil and its likely availability to plants.     

Sorption of trace cadmium on clay minerals and river sediments: effects of pH and Cd(II) concentrations in a synthetic river water medium

The sorption of Cd(II) on illite was studied at initial Cd concentrations from 1 to 1000 μg 1^?1, with a constant solid phase concentration of 0.5 g 1^?1. Percentage sorbed at equilibrium increased sharply from pH 6.5 to 9.0, with a shift toward increased adsorption at lower initial concentrations, indicating specific, non-equivalent sites. Freundlich log-log plots were linear with a slope of 0.83. Susquehanna River sediments (silt/clay fraction) showed similar behavior, sorbing Cd somewhat more strongly than illite, as did mont-morillonite, while kaolinite sorbed Cd less strongly. Sorption on illite was not altered appreciably by removing the Fe- or Mn-oxide coating with dithionite, by removing organic matter with H₂O₂, or by using a carbonate-free medium. Equilibration time, desorption at lower pH's, and the effect of citrate in shifting the sorption to higher pH's were also studied. The data are discussed in terms of Cd speciation equilibria and possible sorption mechanisms.     

Cadmium Release in Soil Solutions at Low Moisture Content

Abstract

Speciation of cadmium (Cd) was studied in four spiked agricultural soils at moisture content corresponding to 1.2 times field moisture capacity (FMC) and in the range from 1.2 FMC to soil–water 1∶10. Cadmium desorption isotherms were nonlinear in all soils, resulting in the decrease in Cd partition coefficient with loading. The Windermere Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM VI) was applied to predict Cd concentration in the solutions, and predicted values were compared with the measured ones. Based on total Cd content in soils, with concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na) and soil solution pH as the input variables, WHAM VI predicted Cd concentration in soil solutions with the root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) of log[Cd] RMSE_log[Cd]=0.54 (n=37). Using total Cd content in soils, average concentrations of Ca and DOC in soil solutions, and soil pH instead of soil solution pH enabled prediction of Cd concentration in soil solution with RMSE_log[Cd]=0.56. Calculation of Cd concentration as a function of moisture content resulted in RMSE_log[Cd]=0.25 (n=20).     

Effect of Cadmium(Ii) and Anion Type on the Ageing of Ferrihydrite and its Subsequent Leaching under Neutral and Alkaline Conditions

The effect of cadmium(II) on the transformation of ferrihydrite[with Cd(II):Fe(III) ratios ranging from 0 to 5 mole %] in neutral and alkaline media (pH 7-11), combined with the effects of electrolyte type (NO₃ ^-, Cl^-, and SO₄ ^-2), was investigated at 20 °C over a period of 1 yr. The presence of Cd(II) strongly retards the conversion of ferrihydrite into hematite and/or goethite at pH 7–10, with decreases in the rate of transformation dependent on the amountof Cd(II). At a Cd(II):Fe(III) mole ratio of 1%, the transformation rate is NO₃ ^- > Cl^- > SO₄ ^-2, which correlates with the relative affinitiesof the anions for the ferrihydrite surface. The presence of Cd(II) promotes hematite formation at pH 9 and 10, whereas atpH 11 goethite is almost the sole product. With increasinginitial Cd(II) concentrations, increasing incorporationof Cd(II) into the products is observed. For 5 mole %Cd(II), ～ 2.5 mole % of Cd(II) is included in thetransformation products, principally hematite, while at pH 11, with 1 mole % Cd(II), all of the Cd(II) incorporates into thegoethite lattice. Transmission electron micrographs show that the presence of Cd(II) leads to a reduction in size and promotesthe twinning of goethite crystals, and can result in ellipsoidal-shaped hematite crystals. Leachability of Cd(II) fromfresh and aged coprecipitated Cd(II)-ferrihyrdite is dependent onthe extent of transformation of the ferrihydrite, with 70–90% of the Cd(II) leachable from ferrihydrite, while goethite is ableto incorporate and remove more Cd(II) than hematite.     

Cd和Zn在滇池沉积物中的吸附-解吸特征

研究了Cd和Zn在滇池沉积物中的吸附-解吸特征并分析了影响其吸附的因素。结果表明滇池沉积物对Cd和Zn的等温吸附符合Langmuir模型,且Cd和Zn的最大吸附量很高,Cd为6443mg/kg,Zn为13889mg/kg,这表明滇池沉积物对重金属具有很大的吸附潜力。Cd和Zn的吸附和解吸过程都可以分成30min之前的快反应和60min之后的慢反应,且吸附率和解吸率与时间的关系都可以用乘幂函数拟和。沉积物对重金属的吸附受pH的影响,吸附量随着pH的增加而增加,当溶液pH为8.05时,Cd和Zn的吸附百分数都超过了97%。     

镉与柠檬酸、EDTA在几种典型土壤中交互作用的研究

采用批平衡实验方法研究了镉在青黑土 (IB)、黄棕壤 (YB)和红壤 (R)三种土壤上的吸附和解吸过程以及吸附介质酸度、共存有机酸等对此过程的影响。结果表明 :柠檬酸、EDTA的存在明显降低了镉在黄棕壤和青黑土上的吸附 ,同时镉解吸率较在硝酸钠体系要小 ,有机物的存在增加了土壤中镉的相对非饱和吸附点位。而在红壤上有机物的存在对镉的影响则随介质pH的改变而发生显著变化。酸性条件下 ,有机物的存在增加镉在红壤上的吸附 ,而随pH的增加 ,有机物减少镉的吸附。同时镉在硝酸钠体系中的解吸率随总吸附量的增加而呈现峰形的变化规律。土壤类型变化显著影响镉与有机物之间的交互作用过程     

Cadmium sorption behavior of natural and synthetic zeolites

Abstract

The sorptive properties of zeolites (a natural zeolite and 3 synthetic zeolites) for cadmium (Cd) were investigated with the intention of selecting suitable materials, for use as amendments in contaminated soils, to reduce the uptake of Cd by field crops. The Cd sorption data were well described by the Langmuir and the Freundlich equations and the coefficients values indicated significant sorptive capacities for Cd by these minerals. Synthetic zeolites have 100 to 500 times greater sorption capacities than the natural zeolite. In all cases, sorption increased with increasing pH and this relationship was linear over the pH range between 3 and 10 for the natural zeolite whereas for the synthetic zeolites a sharp increase was observed between pH 3 and 6. The critical pH above which maximum Cd sorption occurred on synthetic zeolites coincided with the pH where mineral dissolution ceases. The natural zeolite showed an inverse relationship between particle size (<0.15–2.0 mm) and Cd sorption. In desorption experiments with natural zeolite, 10 sequential extractions with 0.01 MNaC10₄ removed 19% Cd from the lowest sorption treatment and 44% of the metal from the highest level, showing that Cd was bound more strongly with decreasing concentrations. Desorption was greater with 0.01 MKC10₄than 0.01 MNaC10₄ especially in the first 5 extractions.     

Pollution and Desorption Kinetics of Heavy Metals at Agricultural Soils in Southeastern Iran

Desorption of heavy metals is an important factor in determining heavy-metal availability in soils. The objective of this research was to determine the applicability of kinetic equations to describe the kinetics of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) desorption at two agricultural soils of Kerman Province in Iran. For Cd and Cu desorption studies, 5 g of the air-dried <2-mm soil fraction was extracted with 25 ml of 0.01 M ethylenediamenetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at pH 7.0 with a shaker for periods of 5 to 2880 min. The desorption patterns of Cu and Cd were generally characterized by an initial fast reaction, followed by a slower continuing reaction. Desorption of Cu and Cd from the two soils was equally well described by the two-constant rate and simple Elovich equations. The results of this study can be used to make better prediction about the mobility and bioavailability of the Cu and Cd in soil.     

Influence of electrolyte composition and pH on cadmium sorption by an acid sandy soil

Extraction of soil with CaCl₂, has been recommended as a measure of bioavailability of heavy metals. Interpretation of soil extraction data in terms of plant uptake potential may improve when the chemical behaviour of heavy metals in these extracts is ascertained. The effect of pH, Cd complexation by Cl, and competition between Cd and Ca on Cd sorption was studied at an ionic strength of 0.03 m . Sorption of cadmium was measured in 0.01 m CaCl₂, in 0.01 m Ca(NO₃)₂, in a mixture of 0.02 m NaCl and 0.01 m NaNO₃, and in 0.03 m NaNO₃, at different values of pH ranging from 3.8 to 4.9. Adsorption isotherms were all linear, with a negative intercept on the y-axis. This intercept indicated (linear) desorption of only part of the initial soil Cd content. About 50% of the Cd in solution was complexed in the presence of 0.02 m Cl at ionic strength of 0.03. Due to competition between Cd and Ca, sorption of Cd was reduced by 80% in the Ca-electrolytes as compared with the Na-electrolytes. Sorption was highly sensitive to pH as each 0.5 unit increase in pH resulted in twice as much sorption of Cd. An empirical factor in the sorption equation that accounts for this effect of pH showed a similar response to changes in pH as a mechanistic factor. This mechanistic factor was developed by assuming that Cd and protons sorb onto the same sites and that a two-site Langmuir sorption isotherm for protons was able to describe the titration curve of the soil. This similarity may explain the successful application of the empirical factor in this and previous studies.     

Effect of zeolite application and soil pH on cadmium sorption in soils

Abstract

In this study the influence of zeolite application and soil liming on cadmium (Cd) sorption by soils in Greece was investigated. The zeolite was natural and consisted mainly of clinoptilolite. The soil samples were strongly acid surface horizons of an Alfisol limed from a pH of 4.0 to 8.5, and a neutral Bt horizon. The result showed that liming and zeolite application substantially increased sorption of Cd in the soils. Cadmium sorption was described adequately by the Freundlich equation whereas the Langmuir model failed to describe Cd sorption in the soils. The Freundlich constant K increased in value by zeolite application as well as by soil liming. A strong relationship was observed between this parameter and soil pH. A high percentage of cadmium sorbed was released in the desorption procedure. The amount of Cd released was reduced by zeolite application as well as by soil liming. It is concluded that zeolite application as well as soil liming increased Cd sorption by the soils.     

Comparative Effect of Two Different Types of Phosphate on Cadmium Uptake by Radish (Raphanus sativa L.) Grown in Arable Soil Affected by Mine Activity

To evaluate the effect of type of phosphate (P) material on reducing soil cadmium (Cd) extractability and radish Cd uptake in the field, two different P materials, fused superphosphate (FSP) and dipotassium phosphate (K₂HPO₄), were applied at rates of 0, 33.5, 100.5, and 167.5 kg P ha^?1 before seeding radish (Raphanus sativa L.) in a Cd-contaminated soil. Plant-available Cd concentration in soil and total Cd uptake by radish increased with increasing FSP application but decreased with K₂HPO₄. The significant decrease in soil pH and negative charge of soil by FSP application led to an increase in bioavailable Cd fraction in soil and in Cd uptake by radish. However, K₂HPO₄ increased soil pH and negative charge of soil and decreased bioavailable Cd fractions. Soil pH and negative charge of soil played an important role in controlling Cd uptake by radish in soil to which phosphate was applied.     

Selective removal of heavy metals from contaminated kaolin by chelators

The competitive desorption/dissolution of kaolin-adsorbed heavy metal mixtures and mixtures of adsorbed Cd with Mg and/or Ca by four chelators (NTA, EDTA, EGTA, and DCyTA) was investigated. Metals were adsorbed on kaolin at pH 7 and the effects of chelator type and concentration on the extent of metal dissolution was studied at a solution pH of 10. EGTA addition. EGTA was the most effective chelator in selectively removing Cd from kaolin in the presence of adsorbed alkaline-earth metals. Approximately 90% of the adsorbed Ca and Mg were retained on the kaolin until almost all (> 80%) of the cadmium was dissolved by EGTA chelator. NTA was the least effective chelator in selectively dissolving Cd from kaolin contaminated with both Cd and Ca (≈ 45% of the adsorbed Cd could not be removed). All four chelators exhibited some desorption/dissolution selectivity for Cd, Cu, and Pb adsorbed on kaolin. When the concentration of chelator in solution was insufficient to dissolve all adsorbed metals, the observed metal ordering for chelation and dissolution was Cd > Cu > Pb (for EGTA), Cd > Pb > Cu (for EDTA and DCyTA), and Cu > Cd > Pb (for NTA).     

Comparative Assessment of Al(III) and Cd(II) Biosorption onto Turbinaria conoides in Single and Binary Systems

The present work investigated the ability of inactive brown seaweed, Turbinaria conoides, to biosorb aluminum(III) and cadmium(II) ions in both single and binary systems. Initial experiments were undertaken to determine the influence of pH and biosorption isotherms of each metallic ion. Owing to the presence of carboxylic groups, T. conoides exhibited high uptake capacity towards Al(III) and Cd(II) through ion-exchange mechanism. In the case of Al(III), T. conoides exhibited maximum biosorption at pH 4 with a capacity of 2.37?mmol/g, whereas the highest Cd(II) biosorption occurred at pH 5 with a capacity of 0.96?mmol/g. For both metal ions, T. conoides exhibited fast kinetics. Several models were used to describe isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, and Toth) and kinetic (pseudo-first and pseudo-second order) data. Desorption and reuse of T. conoides biomass in three repeated cycles was successful with 0.1?M HCl as elutant. In binary systems, the presence of Cd(II) severely affected Al(III) uptake by T. conoides. Compared to single-solute systems, Al(III) uptake was reduced to 56% compared to only 27% for Cd(II). Based on the model parameters regressed from the respective monometal systems, multicomponent Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to predict binary (Al + Cd) system of which the multicomponent Freundlich model was able to describe with good accuracy.     

Predicting Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Surface Sediments of Norwegian Headwater Lakes from Atmospheric Deposition: An Application of a Simple Sediment-Water Partitioning Model

Data from 96 headwater lakes from Norway are used to model heavy metal concentrations in surficial lake sediments in relation to atmospheric deposition. The study evaluates the application of sediment-water partitioning models at the field scale and finds optimum values for the partition coefficients. The impact of environment (sediment type, lake water pH, etc.) on K_Dvalues is explored directly by comparing K_Destimates with environmental variables. K_Dvalues for each metal are found by optimising the fit between predicted and observed surface-sediment concentrations. The sensitivity of the K_Destimates to data structure is examined by bootstrapping. K_Dvalues of 10^5.8and 10^6.2were calculated for cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), respectively, comparable to recent direct observations. Biogenic silica influenced K_Dvalues for Cd, Pb and Zn, whereas lake depth influenced Pb. pH did not have any detectable effect. K_Dfor zinc (Zn) was less well defined, but higher than indicated by published experimental measurements. The results suggest that sediment-water partitioning models have an important contribution to make to field-scale lake studies of sediment heavy metals, and have important implications for palaeolimnological evaluations of heavy metal deposition.     

Dissolved organic carbon and decreasing pH mobilize cadmium and copper in soil

When limed farmland is converted to forestry cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and other heavy metals can become mobile because of acidification and increased concentration of dissolved humic substances. The influence of pH and dissolved organic C on amounts and rates of Cd and Cu release was investigated in a cultivated soil by extraction with ～ 1 mm hydrochloric acid at pH 3 with and without dissolved organic C in the batch mode with weekly replacement of the extraction solution. After 88 weeks, 35–50% of aqua regia‐extractable Cd was extracted; addition of 10 mm dissolved organic C had no effect on the amount dissolved, but it increased the initial rate of release because the organic matter buffered the suspension at a lower pH. The solubility and release rate of Cd decreased as the geochemically active fraction was depleted. This suggests that Cd occurs in the soil in a continuum of binding strengths ranging from readily available to strongly bound forms. The repeated extractions resulted in distribution coefficients (K_{d dis}) that have log‐linear relationships with pH. This allows prediction of Cd solubility during acidification of soil. Dissolved organic C enhanced the release of Cu from less than 8% (without) to more than 20% (with) of aqua regia‐extractable Cu. Total contents of Cd and Cu cannot be used as measures of the metals' availability during acidification of former limed farmland. Predictions of availability should be based on the solubility as a function of pH and the degree of Cd or Cu depletion from the geochemically active fraction in soil.     

Influence of potassium chloride on desorption of cadmium sorbed on hydroxyaluminosilicate-montmorillonite complex

Cadmium adsorption and desorption on a synthetic hydroxyaluminosilicate-montmorillonite (HAS-Mt) complex were investigated in comparison with a montmorillonite (Mt) and hydroxyaluminum-montmorillonite (HyA-Mt) complex.

Kinetics studies of Cd adsorption on Mt, HyA-Mt and HAS-Mt complexes were conducted at pH 5.0, using a 10^-7 M Cd(NO₃)₂ solution in a solid to solution ratio of 100 mg to 100 mL. After 240 min reaction, 94, 88, 32% of the added Cd were removed from the solutions of the Mt, HyA-Mt, and HAS-Mt systems, respectively. Considering the magnitude of the cation exchange capacity of the clay and complexes, affinity of Cd ions was highest for the HAS-Mt complex.

Desorption experiment was conducted using 1 M KC1, 1 M KNO₃, and water. The desorption rate of Cd sorbed on the Mt was the highest, 90 and 59%, using KC1 and KNO₃, respectively, while, that on the HyA-Mt and HAS-Mt was around 30% and much lower than in the case of Mt, using both chemical reagents. Water could not desorb the adsorbed Cd at all. The difference in the desorption rate between KC1 and KNO₃ was due to the complex ion formation of Cd with the anionic species.

The adsorption of Cd by Mt varied with the nature of intercalated materials, namely, HyA and HAS. The extent of the desorption of Cd decreased due to intercalation of HAS and HyA. In the soil environment, Mt is commonly intercalated with HyA and/or HAS. Our data indicated that the formation of HyA- and HyA-Mt complexes should lead to Cd accumulation in soil environments. In addition, the application of potash (KC1) fertilizer would enhance the desorption of the Cd accumulated in soils.     

Numerical and Experimental Studies on Cadmium (II) Transport in Kaolinite Clay under Electrical Fields

A numerical model was formulated to simulate cadmium (Cd) transport under an electric field using one-dimensional diffusion-advection equations describing the contaminant transport driven by chemical and electrical gradients in kaolinite clay. The numerical model includedcomplex physicochemical factors affecting the transport phenomena, such as soil pH value, zeta potential, aqueous phase reaction, adsorption, and precipitation. One-dimensional finite-difference computer models successfully predicted meaningful values for soil pH profiles and Cd concentration profiles. To verify the results of the proposed model by comparing them with experimental results, two different types of laboratory electrokinetic tests, unenhanced and enhanced tests, were conducted. The numerical and the experimental results showed good agreement. In addition, those results indicate that soil pH is the most important factor in governing the dissolution and/or desorption of Cd in the soil system under electrical fields. The removal efficiency of Cd in the unenhanced test was low (15.6%) due to a high accumulation in the region near the cathode. On the contrary, the cadmium concentration profile of the enhanced test showed a different pattern, and most of the residual concentrations appeared below the initial level at each local point within the soil cell after processing. The removal efficiency of the enhanced test was much higher (42.7%) than that of the unenhanced test, resulting from the prevention of hydroxide precipitation near the cathode using the acidic catholyte. Consequently, the result implies that the enhancement schemes such as conditioning of catholyte should be required to increase the effectiveness of the electrokinetic technology in removing metal contaminants from soils.     

Effects of Organic Acids,o-Phenylenediamine and Pyrocatechol on Cadmium Adsorption and Desorption in Soil

This article studied the interaction of cadmium (Cd) and lowmolecular weight organics in Indicotic black (IB) soil.Cadmium adsorption isotherm in this soil was satisfactorilysimulated using Freundlich equation as Q = 905.6C^0.49 with high correlation (r² = 0.984), and its adsorption quantity increased with increasing pH. The presence of citricacid and EDTA significantly reduced Cd adsorption in soil,which was due to the formation of soluble Cd-organic complex. Concentration of cadmium ions in equilibrium solution was determined and percentages of [CdH₂Cit⁺]/[Cd-complex_Total],[CdHCit]/[Cd-complex_Total] and [CdCit^-]/[Cd-complex_Total] vs. pH were successfully calculated. Desorption percentage ofCd, adsorbed in the presence of citric acid and EDTA decreased, compared with that adsorbed in NaNO₃ media. It suggeststhat free sites for Cd adsorption in soil increased in thepresence of organic acid. When o-phenylenediamine, pyrocatechol and aminoethonic acid appeared in Cd equilibrium media, Cd adsorption quantity increased by increasing cation exchange ofpositively charged cadmium complex with soil at low pH. Compared with that performed in the absence of these organics, the exchangeable Cd, desorbed by 0.1 mol L^-1 NaNO₃, reduced obviously, which suggests that Cd-complex was moredifficult to be desorbed than Cd²⁺. Moreover, % Cd desorbedwas linearly correlated with the reverse of the total Cd adsorptionunder unsaturated adsorption.     

EVALUATION OF HEAVY METAL REMEDIATION USING MINERAL APATITE

The current study investigated the sorption and desorption of dissolved lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) from aqueous solutions and a contaminated soil by North Carolina mineral apatite. Aqueous solutions of Pb, Cd, and Zn were reacted with the apatite, followed by desorption experiments under a wide variety of pH conditions ranging from 3 to 12, including the extraction fluids used in the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The sorption results showed that the apatite was very effective in retaining Pb and was moderately effective in attenuating Cd and Zn at pH 4–5. Approximately 100% of the Pb applied was removed from solutions, representing a capacity of 151 mg of Pb/g of apatite, while 49% of Cd and 29% of Zn added were attenuated, with removal capacities of 73 and 41 mg g^-1, respectively. The desorption experiments showed that the sorbed Pb stayed intact where only 14–23% and 7–14% of the sorbed Cd and Zn, respectively, were mobilized by the TCLP solutions. The apatite was also effective in removing dissolved Pb, Cd, and Zn leached from the contaminated soil using pH 3–12 solutions by 62.3–99.9, 20–97.9, and 28.6–98.7%, respectively. In particular, the apatite was able to reduce the metal concentrations in the TCLP-extracted soil leachates to below US EPA maximum allowable levels, suggesting that apatite could be used as a cost-effective option to remediating metal-contaminated soils, wastes, and/or water. The sorption mechanisms are variable in the reactions between the apatite and dissolved Pb, Cd, and Zn. The Pb removals primarily resulted from the dissolution of the apatite followed by the precipitation of hydroxyl fluoropyromorphite. Minor otavite precipitation was observed in the interaction of the apatite with aqueous Cd, but other sorption mechanisms, such as surface complexation, ion exchange, and the formation of amorphous solids, are primarily responsible for the removal of Zn and Cd.     

Cadmium sorption by two acid soils as affected by clearing and cultivation

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of clearing and cultivation on the sorption of cadmium (Cd) by two acid soils from Zimbabwe with differing cultivation stories. In their original state, not cleared‐not cultivated (virgin soils), the two soils exhibited noticeable and similar capacities to sorb Cd. The Mazowe soil contains the highest level of organic matter (40 g kg^‐1) and a effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) of 144 mmol_c kg^‐1. Yet, Bulawayo soil (23.5 g kg^‐1 organic matter and ECEC of 146 mmol_c kg^‐1) has higher pH and Mn and Fe oxide content and these characteristics seemed to counteract the effect of lower organic matter. After 50 years of cultivation, The Mazowe soil has lost 60% of its organic matter and ECEC, and consequently the ability of its soil matrix to bind Cd has proportionally decreased. In Bulawayo (cleared in 1983 and first ploughed in 1984), on the contrary, the organic matter and ECEC of the cultivated soil remains over 95% of the values on its virgin counterpart. In this soil, the retaining ability for Cd has not still been affected. In the two soils Cd sorption was highly pH‐dependent. The extent of sorption was minimal under acidic conditions and increased sharply as the pH was raised. The immediate reversibility of the sorption process proved to be very low. When sorption and desorption data were compared it was clear that soil characteristics like high organic matter and oxide content which showed to enhanced Cd sorption, contributed at the same time to slow down the backward reaction.