Unlike the hazardous organic constituents listed above, metals cannot be degraded or readily detoxified. The fate of the metal depends on its physical and chemical properties, the associated waste matrix, and the soil. Significant downward transportation of metals from the soil surface occurs when the metal retention capacity of the soil is overloaded, or when metals are solubilized (such as by low pH). As the concentration of metals exceeds the ability of the soil to retain them, the metals will travel downward with the leaching waters. Surface transport through dust and erosion of soils are also common transport mechanisms.
The following is a list of common metals:
Aluminum Antimony Arsenic* Barium Beryllium Bismuth Boron Cadmium Calcium Chromium Cobalt Copper Iron Lead Magnesium Manganese Mercury Metallic cyanides Nickel Potassium Selenium Silver Sodium Thallium Tin Titanium Vanadium Zinc
* Although arsenic is not a true metal, it is included here because it is classified as one of eight metals in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
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