Application of Langmuir and Freundlich Isotherms to Phosphate Sorption by Soils: Modelling and Effects of pH
Phosphate sorption capability is an important soil characteristic which determines the nutrients dynamics. Research studies on the chemistry of inorganic phosphorus in soil showed that in soil occur several reactions with resulting compounds; these reactions are dependent on factors like soil pH, type and quality of soil minerals, quantity of soil phosphorus and other soil properties. The work seeks to determine the equilibrium curves by using a thermodynamic study in order to determine sorption degree of phosphorus (P) on soil grains (chernozem from Teleorman area and sandy soil from Dabuleni area) using the isotherm functions Langmuir and Freundlich typically used to describe adsorption equilibrium, at a phases mass ratio soil:water of 1:5 in the pH range 59. KH2PO4 solutions were used as aqueous phases at a concentration range of 10-100. The Freundlich isotherm was more attractive than the Langmuir isotherm in describing phosphorus sorption by soil. Thus, quantifying the ratio between concentration of P adsorbed on soil and concentration of P in soil solution is an important step for describing the specific adsorption of ions on soil’s charged surfaces taking pH into account. Moreover, these simple isotherms used in describing phosphorus sorption have a significant role being useful for summarizing both the information about a given soil and the effects of a particular treatment involving the same soil.