ABSTRACT

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The sorption (retention) of metals including alkali (e.g., K), alkaline earth (e.g., Ca), transi-

tion metals (e.g., Cd and Ni), and oxyanions (e.g., phosphate, arsenate, and selenate) on soil

mineral and organic constituents is one of the most important processes in controlling the

fate, transport, and bioavailability of metals and oxyanions in soil and water environments.

This review discusses various aspects of metal and oxyanion sorption on clay minerals and

metal oxides and hydroxides, referred henceforth as metal-(oxyhydr)oxides, including the

role of surface functional groups, types of surface complexes and products, macroscopic and

molecular scale assessments of sorption, surface precipitation, and the kinetics of sorption

processes.