Effect of fluoride pollution on pH and solubility of Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, K and organic matter in soil from Ardal (Western Norway)

The effect of fluoride (F) on pH and solubility of organic matter (TOC), aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) in soil samples collected near an aluminium smelter in Norway was studied. Increased addition of F to the soil samples led to an increase in pH and concentrations of TOC, Al and Fe in solution. Most of the F and Al in solution were in the forms of ALF(x)-complexes. K solubility decreased in some soil samples, but there were no consistent effect on the solubility of Ca or Mg. The effect of NaF addition was significantly different from equimolar NaCl-treatments. The concentrations of Al, Fe, TOC and the pH-values were lower, while the concentrations of K, Mg and Ca were higher in the NaCl-treatments than in the NaF-treatments. The results from the experiment imply that F-pollution of soil induces breakdown of Al- and Fe-oxides/hydroxides and solubilize organic material in the soil. This may influence the availability of potentially toxic elements, such as AlFx-complexes, to microorganisms and plant roots.