Bioavailability of heavy metals in soil organic matter depends on its components. Characterization of heavy metal distributions in different fractions of soil organic matter is needed for better understanding of the fate of heavy metals. This study investigated the accumulation and partitioning of copper and zinc among different size particulate organic matter (POM) fractions in polluted soils from a former iron ore processing site in western Shaoxing County, Zhejiang Province. Physical fractionations were carried out to separate soil primary particles according to their size and density. Copper and Zn had a heterogeneous distribution among soil particle fractions. Copper and Zn were significantly (p ＜ 0.05) enriched in the POM fractions. ＞ 0.05 mm POM and ＜ 0.05 mm fine soil fractions were mainly responsible for Cu and Zn retention in soils. The POM fraction contained up to 1 322 mg Cu kg-1 and 1 115 mg Zn kg-1 and the fine soil fraction contained up to 422 mg Cu kg-1 and 537 mg Zn kg-1. The total POM fraction was responsible for 15.8%-41.2% and 12.2%-31.7% of the total amount of Cu and Zn, respectively, in the polluted soils. The percentages of Cu and Zn associated with organic matter in ＜ 0.05 mm fine soil fractions for the polluted soils ranged from 14.1% to 24.5%, and 5.4% to 15.8%, respectively. Accumulation of soil organic matter could increase enrichment of Gu (or Zn) in the POM fractions. Also, Cu provided a greater enrichment in the POM fractions than Zn.
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