Dissolution of Microparticles of Cadmium, Lead and Thallium in Water

Anthropogenic activity seriously damages the environment. Cadmium, lead, and thallium are toxic elements that are especially hazardous for nature. In polluted air, they are present in the form of microparticles 2–3 μm in size and belong to the PM2.5 fraction. Such particles can be transported over long distances, penetrate into water and dissolve, and then enter the food chain. This poses a severe threat to human and animal health due to the bioaccumulation of metals. Therefore, it is important to study the properties of toxic metals of this size. In this work, we developed a radiation–chemical method for obtaining microparticles of cadmium, lead, and thallium corresponding to the PM2.5 fraction and studied their properties in aqueous solutions. In the absence of oxygen, the metals do not dissolve. Over time, they agglomerate and settle. When exposed to air, the particles quickly dissolve in water, usually within a few minutes. This process involves the disappearance of small particles and a decrease in the size of larger ones. The rate of dissolution increases in the Pb-Cd-Tl series. Cadmium dissolves approximately 4–5 times faster than lead, and thallium more than 10 times faster. Acidification of water accelerates this process. Studying the properties of microparticles of heavy metals is important for assessing their migration in the environment, health risks, and developing methods for preventing pollution.