Lead was mobilized in acid silty clay loam paddy soil with potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) amendment

The immobilization effectiveness between Pb and phosphorus in soil varies with soil types. To clarify the effect of phosphate on the availability of Pb in agricultural soil, a culture experiment with three types of paddy soil was performed with potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) added. EDTA, DGT and in-situ solution extraction methods were used to represent different available Pb content. Results showed that the concentration of EDTA-Pb in HN soil was slightly elevated after exogenous KDP added. The supplement of 300 mg/kg KDP significantly increased the content of soluble Pb in both acid silty clay loam soil and neutral silty loam soil (increased by 104.65% and 65.12%, respectively). However, there was no significant influence of KDP on the concentration of DGT extracted Pb. XANES results showed that Pb(OH)2, PbHPO4, humic acid-Pb and GSH-Pb were the major speciation of Pb in soil colloids. The proportion of Pb(OH)2 and humic acid-bounded Pb in soil colloids were elevated after exogenous KDP added. Our results indicated that there was a mobilization effect of KDP on Pb by increasing the amount of colloidal Pb in soil solution, especially in acid silty clay loam paddy soil. Such colloid-facilitated transport might promote the uptake of Pb in rice and pose a potential threat to human health. [Display omitted] •Exogenous KDP could increase the amount of colloidal Pb in soil solution.•There was a mobilization effect of KDP on Pb by increasing the amount of colloidal Pb in soil solution.•The addition of KDP as well as submergence were conducive to the formation of soil colloids.•The proportion of Pb(OH)2 and humic acid-Pb in soil colloids were elevated after KDP added.