Reduction of Cr(VI) by soil humic acids

Abstract

Summary The rate of hexavalent chromium reduction by a soil humic acid (SHA) was investigated in aqueous solutions where concentrations of Cr(VI), H + , and SHA were independently varied. Rate experiments were done with a large excess of SHA over Cr(VI). Rates of reduction depend strongly on [H + ], increasing with decreasing pH. Typical Cr(VI)‐SHA reactions display a nonlinear reduction of Cr(VI) with time that cannot be modelled with simple first‐ or second‐order rate equations. An empirical rate equation is developed for Cr(VI)‐soil humic acid reactions over a range of experimental conditions. The model is in part based on a reactive continuum concept developed for soil fulvic acids. The rate equation describing Cr(VI) reduction by SHA is: R = ‐( k 0 + k [H + ] 1/2 )[HCrO 4 − ] 1/2 X e −1 , where k 0 is (8·3 ± 1·2) × 10 −12 , s −1 k is (2·04 ± 0·05) × 10 −9 l 1/2 mol −1/2 s −1 , and X e is the equivalent fraction of SHA oxidized. The rate equation adequately models Cr(VI) reduction in an experiment with [Cr(VI)] 0 four times greater than the maximum concentration used in its derivation. Cr(VI) reduction at pH 3 by two other SHAs can also be modelled using the rate equation. The difference between the rate coefficients for the humic acid and the fulvic acid from the same soil was greater than the difference in the rate coefficients for humic acids from different soils.