MOBILITY OF CADMIUM AS INFLUENCED BY SOIL PROPERTIES, STUDIED BY SOILTHIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

We studied the mobility of cadmium in various natural soils by soil th in-layer chromatography. The R(F) values of the soils varied between 0 .14 and 1.00 (mean = 0.64, mode = 0.87). Cadmium was found to be sligh tly mobile in 27%, moderately mobile in 14%, mobile in 41% and highly mobile in 18% of the soils studied. A statistical analysis of the resu lts obtained revealed a highly significant correlation (p < 0.001) bet ween R(F) values and Ph, the sum of bases and the exchangeable Ca2+ an d Mg2+ contents, as well as a significant negative correlation (p < 0. 05) between R(F) and the clay content and cation-exchange capacity of the soils. The results show the significance of soil properties to the mobility of cadmium wastes from industrial, mining and farming applic ations.