TITLE:
Aluminum and Gallium Concentrations in Southeastern Missouri Mississippi River Floodplain Soil Profile
AUTHORS:
Michael Aide
KEYWORDS:
Trace Elements, Gallium, Soil Pollution, Aluminum, Isomorphic Substitution
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.14 No.4,
April
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: The aluminum and gallium soil chemistry interaction is not well defined. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the aluminum (Al) and gallium (Ga) soil profile concentrations in floodplain soils along the Mississippi River and estimate the concentration correlations of these elements. Two soil series were selected, each having two sampled pedons. The gallium soil concentrations were comparatively small compared to the research literature. Gallium and aluminum concentrations across soil associations were significantly correlated, even though the selected soil series were quite different in clay content. Assessment of the Na-acetate recovery of exchangeable gallium was a small proportion of the total gallium content; thus, the gallium mobility and plant uptake potential was perceived as minimal. There exists continued research to determine gallium adsorption and isomorphic substitution behaviors and soil organic complexation reactions to provide clarity on potential environmental impacts because of mining and manufacturing.