The role of iron compounds in fixing heavy metals and arsenic in alluvial and soddy-podzolic soils in the Perm area

In Perm, alluvial soils are strongly contaminated with heavy metals (Zn, Cu, and Ni, in particular) due to the ingress of liquid sewage. The concentration of a number of chemical elements is far higher in Fe-rohrensteins (tubular concretions around plant roots) of alluvial soils as compared to the fine earth. Ni and Cu are associated with Fe in rohrensteins of alluvial soils. The soddy-podzolic soils are in general less contaminated at a distance of 30 km to the northwest of Perm. Their contamination results from aerosols emitted by Perm industrial enterprises. Fe-Mn nodules that concentrate Ni and As are formed in hydromorphic podzolic soils. Mn oxides represent a separate phase carrying heavy metals and metalloids (manganophiles). Oxianions (As, Cr, and P) are closely bound to Fe in nodules, which are formed because of the alternating redox regime in soddy-podzolic soils. However, oxianions are not associated with Fe in rohrensteins of alluvial soils.