Nature differences of fulvic acid fractions induced by extracted sequence as explanatory factors for binding characteristics of Cu2

The isolation of fulvic acid (FA) fractions with relatively homogeneity is a key to reveal the binding mechanisms between FA and heavy metals. In this work, nine FA fractions were obtained using sequential alkali extraction procedure and nature differences of the extracted FA fractions were considered as explanatory factors for binding characteristics of Cu2+. The results indicate that the contents of carboxyl and phenolic groups decrease with increasing extractions along with an opposite trend for the content of nitrogen-containing groups. The fitted results of ligand binding and bi-Langmuir models indicate that the binding sites for Cu2+ were mainly provided by carboxyl and phenolic groups, which explained the higher sorption capacity and binding affinity of earlier extracted FAs due to its higher contents of carboxyl and phenolic groups. Furthermore, the systemic characterization of FA fractions before and after adsorption indicate the nitrogen-containing groups were gradually showing their contribution in binding Cu2+ with increasing extractions. This work is very helpful to insight the environmental effects of natural organic matter and the behavior of heavy metals in natural environment. [Display omitted] •Nine extracted FA fractions presented differences in nature.•The earlier of FA fractions the higher abundance of carboxyl and phenolic groups.•Binding sites for Cu2+ were mainly provided by carboxyl and phenolic groups.•Nitrogen-containing groups gradually contributed more from F1 to F9.