Evaluation of Cr (VI) retention in soils of varying carbonate in arid land (Djelfa – Algeria)

Abstract

Pollution by Chromium (Cr) presents a serious problem that may affect both health and the environment. This study aims to evaluate the contribution of carbonates to chromium sorption/desorption in soils with different concentrations of carbonates in the Djelfa region. The retention study was based on three soils with different total limestone concentrations. A physico-chemical analysis of the soils, followed by a sorption study by modifying some sorption parameters, and finally a comparison of chromium retention. According to the findings, sorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics with a good regression value R². The activation energies were 12.85 and 16.44 kJ mol-1, implying a physical sorption mechanism. The data agree with the Freundlich model.