ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews studies on macroscale and X-ray absorption fine structures research techniques for nickel (Ni) speciation in soils. It begins with a review of macroscopic research to demonstrate the importance of chemical speciation as an approach for understanding the behavior of Ni, focusing on soil retention, reaction kinetics, and potential mobility. Ni present in soils can be associated with soil solid components through a variety of reactions, mainly precipitation, coprecipitation, adsorption, and ion exchange. The X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis of soil Ni provides evidence that can be used to develop chemical speciation model studies to predict the bioavailability, transformations, and potential mobility of Ni in the terrestrial environment. Sequential extraction methods have been applied to study the effects of remediation methods on the mobility and bioavailability of Ni in contaminated soils by comparing the Ni fractionations before and after the remediation treatments.
