Seasonal Dynamics of Jarosite-Rich Residue Crystallinity and Its Implications for  Heavy Metal Mobility, Bioavailability and Crop Uptake in Semi-Arid Agricultural Soils

Vaseem Akhtar; Kirti Mohan Sharma; Dinesh Kulhary

doi:10.14233/ajchem.2026.35891

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 7 (2026): Vol. 38, No 7 (2026)

Issue Published : 3 July 2026

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Seasonal Dynamics of Jarosite-Rich Residue Crystallinity and Its Implications for Heavy Metal Mobility, Bioavailability and Crop Uptake in Semi-Arid Agricultural Soils

https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2026.35891

Vaseem Akhtar

Department of Chemistry, Career Point University, Kota-325003, India

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9469-1600

Kirti Mohan Sharma

Department of Chemistry, Career Point University, Kota-325003, India

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7717-2088

Dinesh Kulhary

Department of Chemistry, Swami Keshvanand Institute of Technology, Management & Gramothan, Jaipur-302017, India

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5140-1176

Corresponding Author(s) : Kirti Mohan Sharma

kirtimohansharma@gmail.com

Asian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 38 No. 7 (2026): Vol. 38, No 7 (2026)
Article Published : 3 July 2026

Abstract

Jarosite residue, a secondary sulphate mineral prevalent in acid mine drainage (AMD) systems and hydrometallurgical zinc-processing wastes, serves as a transient repository for heavy metals such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn). However, its stability is profoundly influenced by the seasonal environmental fluctuations. This study reports the crystal-chemical transformations of jarosite rich industrial waste across wet (monsoon) and dry seasons, elucidating their ramifications for heavy metal mobility, soil contamination, crop bioaccumulation and human health risks. Soil and waste samples were collected from a jarosite residue dump (site A), adjacent agricultural soil (site B) and a reference site (site C) during peak dry (March 2025) and wet (July 2025) seasons. Analyses encompassed physico-chemical properties (pH, EC, organic carbon, CEC), X-ray diffraction for mineralogy, ICP-MS for total and bioavailable metals, BCR sequential extraction for speciation, batch dissolution experiments simulating seasonal conditions, crop metal accumulation in wheat and maize, bioaccessibility assessments and pilot remediation trials using lime, biochar and bentonite. Results revealed heightened jarosite residue dissolution and reduced crystallinity (from 0.87 to 0.80) in the dry season, fostering transformation to goethite and anglesite, with Pb and As shifting from residual (65-75%) to labile fractions (45-55%). Bioavailable Pb and As at site A surged from 5.59 and 2.08 mg/kg (wet) to 19.52 and 7.74 mg/kg (dry), respectively. Batch experiments confirmed amplified metal release (up to 70% Pb, 54% As) at elevated temperatures (45 ºC) and pH 7.5. Crop grains from site B exhibited elevated accumulation (e.g. 2.5 mg/kg Pb in wheat), yielding hazard quotients exceeding 1 for children, indicating non-carcinogenic risks. Remediation amendments reduced bioavailable metals by 55-65%, enhancing pH and CEC. These findings underscore the vulnerability of semi-arid mining ecosystems to seasonal dynamics, encouraging tailored waste management and bioremediation strategies to mitigate contamination and foster sustainable agricultural practices in affected regions.

Keywords

Jarosite residue Heavy metal mobility Industrial waste Seasonal dynamics Rajasthan soils Acid mine drainage

(1)

Akhtar, V.; Sharma, K. M.; Kulhary, D. Seasonal Dynamics of Jarosite-Rich Residue Crystallinity and Its Implications for Heavy Metal Mobility, Bioavailability and Crop Uptake in Semi-Arid Agricultural Soils. ajc 2026, 38, 1759-1767.

Download Citation

References

A. Pappu, M. Saxena and S.R. Asolekar, Build. Environ., 42, 2311 (2007); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.04.015
J. Bech, Environ. Geochem. Health, 42, 4065 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00741-w
I. Thornton, Sci. Total Environ., 198, 105 (1997); https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(97)05434-X
C.G. Weisener, M.G. Babechuk, B.J. Fryer and C.J.G. Maunder, Geobiology, 6, 415 (2008); https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4669.2008.00167.x
M.P. Asta, J. Cama, M. Martínez and J. Giménez, J. Hazard. Mater., 171, 965 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.06.097
A. Kumar and P.R. Golani, Geoheritage., 15, 80 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-023-00837-6
A.K. Sinha, V.G. Havanagi and J.T. Shahu, Int. J. Pavement Eng., 22, 882 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2019.1652299
M. Zhu, Y. Wang, C. Zheng, Y. Luo, Y. Li, S. Tan, Z. Sun, Y. Ke, C. Peng and X. Min, J. Environ. Manage., 370, 122396 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122396
M. Qasim, S. Manzoor, M.I. Nabeel, Q. Ullah, Y.Z. Sair, T. Khomphet, C.G. Joseph, A. Raza, J. Suazo-Hernández and T. Gulzar, Front. Sustain., 7, 1777462 (2026); https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2026.1777462
B.R. Shetty, P.B. Jagadeesha and S.A. Salmataj, CYTA J. Food, 23, 2438726 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1080/19476337.2024.2438726.
M.E. Sumner and W.P. Miller, in eds.: D.L. Sparks, A.L. Page, P.A. Helmke, R.H. Loeppert, P.N. Soltanpour, M.A. Tabatabai, C.T. Johnston and M.E. Sumner, Cation Exchange Capacity and Exchange Coefficients, In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 3–Chemical Methods, Eds. Madison, WI, USA: Soil Science Society of America, pp. 1201-1229 (1996).
S.M. Fortier, N.T. Nassar, K.D. Kelley, G.W. Lederer, J.L. Mauk, J.M. Hammarstrom, W.C. Day and R.R. Seal II, Mining Engineer., 73, 48 (2021).
M. Xiang, Y. Li, J. Yang, K. Lei, Y. Li, F. Li, D. Zheng, X. Fang and Y. Cao, Environ. Pollut., 278, 116911 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116911
O.S. Shokunbi, O.O. Ajayi, D.O. Jegede and O.S. Shokunbi, Int. J. Human Capital Urban Manage., 5, 339 (2020); https://doi.org/10.22034/IJHCUM.2020.04.06
C. Drouet and A. Navrotsky Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 67, 2063 (2003); https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(02)01299-1
S.M. Rodrigues, N. Cruz, L. Carvalho, A.C. Duarte, E. Pereira, A.G.F. Boim, L.R.F. Alleoni and P.F.A.M. Römkens, Sci. Total Environ., 635, 188 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.063
H.R. Boostani, M. Najafi-Ghiri and D. Khalili, Sci. Rep., 15, 14301 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99120-7
H. Gong, L. Zhao, X. Rui, J. Hu and N. Zhu, J. Hazard. Mater., 432, 128668 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128668
S. Beesley, E. Moreno-Jiménez, J.L. Gomez-Eyles, B. Robinson, E. Harris and T. Sizmur, Environ. Pollut., 159, 3269 (2011); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.07.023
R. Miller and L. Sonon, in eds.: F.J. Sikora and K.P. Moore, Nitrate nitrogen, In: Soil Test Methods from the Southeastern United States, Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin No. 419, pp. 155-157 (2014).
A. Narsimha and J. Wu, Hum. Ecol. Risk Assess., 25, 191 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1546550
V. Akhtar and D. Kulhary, Asian J. Chem., 37, 1995 (2025); https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2025.33897
N. Saha and A.S. Majumdar, Abstract no. EGU26-12992, Integrated Micro to Nano-Scale Characterization of Hydrous Sulphate Mineral–Jarosite in Kachchh, Gujarat, India: Implication for Mars, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, May 3-8 (2026); https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-12992
R.S. Shekhawat, P. Kushwaha and M. Agarwal, Innov. Infrastruct. Solut., 11, 151 (2026); https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-026-02567-4

References

A. Pappu, M. Saxena and S.R. Asolekar, Build. Environ., 42, 2311 (2007); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2006.04.015

J. Bech, Environ. Geochem. Health, 42, 4065 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00741-w

I. Thornton, Sci. Total Environ., 198, 105 (1997); https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(97)05434-X

C.G. Weisener, M.G. Babechuk, B.J. Fryer and C.J.G. Maunder, Geobiology, 6, 415 (2008); https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4669.2008.00167.x

M.P. Asta, J. Cama, M. Martínez and J. Giménez, J. Hazard. Mater., 171, 965 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.06.097

A. Kumar and P.R. Golani, Geoheritage., 15, 80 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-023-00837-6

A.K. Sinha, V.G. Havanagi and J.T. Shahu, Int. J. Pavement Eng., 22, 882 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2019.1652299

M. Zhu, Y. Wang, C. Zheng, Y. Luo, Y. Li, S. Tan, Z. Sun, Y. Ke, C. Peng and X. Min, J. Environ. Manage., 370, 122396 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122396

M. Qasim, S. Manzoor, M.I. Nabeel, Q. Ullah, Y.Z. Sair, T. Khomphet, C.G. Joseph, A. Raza, J. Suazo-Hernández and T. Gulzar, Front. Sustain., 7, 1777462 (2026); https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2026.1777462

B.R. Shetty, P.B. Jagadeesha and S.A. Salmataj, CYTA J. Food, 23, 2438726 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1080/19476337.2024.2438726.

M.E. Sumner and W.P. Miller, in eds.: D.L. Sparks, A.L. Page, P.A. Helmke, R.H. Loeppert, P.N. Soltanpour, M.A. Tabatabai, C.T. Johnston and M.E. Sumner, Cation Exchange Capacity and Exchange Coefficients, In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 3–Chemical Methods, Eds. Madison, WI, USA: Soil Science Society of America, pp. 1201-1229 (1996).

S.M. Fortier, N.T. Nassar, K.D. Kelley, G.W. Lederer, J.L. Mauk, J.M. Hammarstrom, W.C. Day and R.R. Seal II, Mining Engineer., 73, 48 (2021).

M. Xiang, Y. Li, J. Yang, K. Lei, Y. Li, F. Li, D. Zheng, X. Fang and Y. Cao, Environ. Pollut., 278, 116911 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116911

O.S. Shokunbi, O.O. Ajayi, D.O. Jegede and O.S. Shokunbi, Int. J. Human Capital Urban Manage., 5, 339 (2020); https://doi.org/10.22034/IJHCUM.2020.04.06

C. Drouet and A. Navrotsky Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 67, 2063 (2003); https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(02)01299-1

S.M. Rodrigues, N. Cruz, L. Carvalho, A.C. Duarte, E. Pereira, A.G.F. Boim, L.R.F. Alleoni and P.F.A.M. Römkens, Sci. Total Environ., 635, 188 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.063

H.R. Boostani, M. Najafi-Ghiri and D. Khalili, Sci. Rep., 15, 14301 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99120-7

H. Gong, L. Zhao, X. Rui, J. Hu and N. Zhu, J. Hazard. Mater., 432, 128668 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128668

S. Beesley, E. Moreno-Jiménez, J.L. Gomez-Eyles, B. Robinson, E. Harris and T. Sizmur, Environ. Pollut., 159, 3269 (2011); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.07.023

R. Miller and L. Sonon, in eds.: F.J. Sikora and K.P. Moore, Nitrate nitrogen, In: Soil Test Methods from the Southeastern United States, Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin No. 419, pp. 155-157 (2014).

A. Narsimha and J. Wu, Hum. Ecol. Risk Assess., 25, 191 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1546550

V. Akhtar and D. Kulhary, Asian J. Chem., 37, 1995 (2025); https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2025.33897

N. Saha and A.S. Majumdar, Abstract no. EGU26-12992, Integrated Micro to Nano-Scale Characterization of Hydrous Sulphate Mineral–Jarosite in Kachchh, Gujarat, India: Implication for Mars, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, May 3-8 (2026); https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-12992

R.S. Shekhawat, P. Kushwaha and M. Agarwal, Innov. Infrastruct. Solut., 11, 151 (2026); https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-026-02567-4

Author biographies is not available.