The formation of mixed metal precipitates has been identified as a significant mechanism for the immobilization and elimination of heavy metal ions. Silicate is present in natural systems ubiquitously, which may interfere with metal uptake on the mineral surface and thereby influences the solubility of the precipitate. Herein, kinetic sorption and dissolution experiments combined with extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) were performed to elucidate the effect of silicate on the formation of Ni precipitates at the γ-Al2O3 surfaces. The uptake of Ni on γ-Al2O3 decreased with increasing amounts of silicate coated onto the γ-Al2O3 surface. Results of EXAFS analyses suggested the formation of Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) phases. The surface coating of silicate on γ-Al2O3 reduced Al release and finally resulted in a high Ni:Al ratio due to a lower extent of Al substitution into the precipitates. The presence of silicate prevented the growth of the precipitates and led to the formation of less stable Ni-Al LDH. The influence of silicate on the precipitate formation provided the evidence for the growth relationship between the precipitate and mineral substrate in the real environment. Increased rates of proton-promoted dissolution of Ni surface precipitates were mainly attributed to higher Ni:Al ratios in Ni-Al LDH precipitates formed in the presence of silicate.

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