ABSTRACT
In this study, an in vitro in vivo correlation (IVIVC) between Pb in vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) and relative bioavailability (RBA) was explored to determine whether the efficacy of Pb immobilization in phosphate amended soils could be predicted using an in vitro approach. Mining/smelting impacted soil from Broken Hill, Australia (582-3536â¯mg/kg of Pb in the <250⯵m soil particle fraction) was amended with Phosphoric Acid (PA), Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) or Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) at Pb:P molar ratios of 1:1-1:5. Pb speciation in pre- and post-treated soil was assessed using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), Pb IVBA was measured using the Solubility Bioaccessibility Research Consortium (SBRC) assay (gastric and intestinal phases), and Pb RBA was determined in mice using blood Pb concentration as the bioavailability endpoint. XAS analysis revealed a 3.75-6.00 fold increase in the weighted % of Pb phosphates in soil containing >1000â¯mg/kg Pb while treatment effect ratios of 0.89-0.99 (SBRC-G), 0.09-0.71 (SBRC-I) and 0.27-0.80 (RBA) were observed in PA amended soil (Pb:Pâ¯=â¯1:5). Although significant (pâ¯<â¯0.05) correlation were obtained between Pb RBA and IVBA (%) determined using SBRC-G (râ¯=â¯0.64) and SBRC-I (râ¯=â¯0.67), the strengths of the relationships were weak (r2â¯=â¯0.41-0.45). This research highlights the complexities associated with the prediction of Pb RBA in phosphate amended soil.