金矿区高浓度砷污染土壤的稳定化处理

以粉煤灰、干化污泥、粉碎花生壳、硫酸亚铁(Fe_2SO_4)和磷酸二氢钾(KH_2PO_4)为稳定剂对矿区高浓度As污染土壤进行处理,通过土壤理化性质、重金属形态和浸出浓度变化等综合评估稳定剂对高浓度砷污染土壤的稳定化处理效果。结果表明,添加稳定剂可以提高土壤pH值、有机质含量和阳离子交换量。粉煤灰、干化污泥、粉碎花生壳、硫酸亚铁对土壤中的As有较好的稳定化作用,其中硫酸亚铁对土壤中As的稳定效果最好。同时添加10%粉煤灰、10%干化污泥和1%硫酸亚铁后,土壤中可交换态As、碳酸盐结合态As、铁锰氧化物结合态As、有机结合态As含量显著降低,降幅分别为62.3%、55.2%、29.6%、58.2%,残渣态As含量增加8.1%。添加粉煤灰、干化污泥、硫酸亚铁能显著降低土壤中As的浸出浓度,而添加KH_2PO_4会使土壤中As浸出浓度增加,移动性增强。当同时添加10%粉煤灰、10%干化污泥、1%粉碎花生壳和1%硫酸亚铁后,As浸出浓度最低(0.93 mg·L~(-1)),稳定效果最好,稳定化效率达到了74.8%。土壤中As的浸出浓度与可交换态As和碳酸盐结合态As呈显著正相关,与残渣态As呈显著负相关,可交换态As、碳酸盐结合态As和残渣态-As含量是影响土壤中As浸出浓度变化的主要因素。     

矿区炼金废渣的固化/稳定化处理

通过对金矿矿区炼金废渣的酸中和能力、净产酸量及浸出毒性实验,测定了废渣的产酸潜力及重金属砷、镉、铅、锌的总量和它们的浸出量。为了合理处置矿区炼金废渣,并为矿区重金属污染土壤的修复提供技术支持,采用石灰、粉煤灰、堆肥化污泥作为添加剂对废渣进行固化/稳定化处理;通过浸出毒性实验对固化/稳定化处理效果进行综合分析,试图寻求一种最佳的稳定剂。结果表明,无论是单独添加石灰、粉煤灰或者堆肥化污泥还是两两组合混合添加,样品浸出液的pH都有升高,As、Cd的浸出浓度都有明显下降,而且两两组合添加比单独添加的固化/稳定化处理效果更好。在两两组合添加中,粉煤灰混合堆肥化污泥的处理效果最好,浸出液的pH值达到7.82,As、Cd的浸出率分别下降72.0%和72.2%。说明粉煤灰混合堆肥化污泥处理炼金废渣效果最佳,同时具有以废治污的资源化生态效能。     

贝壳粉对污染土壤中Pb、Zn、Cd的稳定化作用

价廉易得且无二次污染的稳定剂开发是重金属污染土壤稳定化修复的关键。以铅蓄电池污染场地Pb污染土壤(CQ土壤样品)及铅锌冶炼厂周边Pb、Zn、Cd复合污染土壤(ZZ土壤样品)为研究对象,用贝壳粉进行稳定化研究,通过毒性特征浸出测试(TCLP)评价其稳定化效果。X射线衍射(XRD)和X射线荧光光谱(XRF)等分析结果表明,贝壳粉的主要成分为CaCO3。稳定化实验结果表明:贝壳粉在2%(质量分数,下同)~10%的添加量下,CQ土壤样品中Pb的浸出浓度降低22%~62%;ZZ土壤样品中Pb、Zn、Cd的浸出浓度分别降低11%~91%、26%~65%、18%~64%。贝壳粉添加后土壤pH升高可能会使重金属形成氢氧化物沉淀;部分重金属可能会通过离子交换作用形成碳酸盐沉淀。经贝壳粉稳定化后土壤中重金属浸出浓度降低,有效降低了重金属的迁移性,因此贝壳粉可作为稳定剂应用于重金属污染土壤的修复。     

重金属复合污染土壤稳定化研究及效果评价

用自制稳定化试剂CTS-AC01试剂对广西河池某砒霜厂遗址As、Cd、Pb、Zn复合污染土壤进行稳定化研究并进行效果评价。结果表明:(1)CTS-AC01试剂可以降低土壤中重金属的毒性特征浸出程序(TCLP)浸出液浓度,使As、Cd、Pb、Zn的稳定效率分别达到87.7%、93.7%、90.9%、99.5%;(2)经过20次模拟淋溶,淋溶液中As、Cd、Pb、Zn的质量浓度分别为0.199、0、0、0.017mg/L,除As浓度超过《地表水环境质量标准》(GB 3838—2002)的Ⅴ类水质标准外,其他3种重金属均已达标;(3)通过土壤中重金属形态分析发现,稳定化主要是将可交换态和氧化结合态向残渣态转化,但20次模拟淋溶对土壤中重金属形态的影响不大,更长期的淋溶作用有待进一步研究。     

地质聚合物固化稳定化重金属复合污染土壤

以污染土壤部分替代偏高岭土,在碱激发剂的作用下制备地质聚合物稳定化处理Pb、As、Cd复合污染土壤,研究了其稳定化效果及处理后固化体中重金属的赋存形态。结果表明:污染土壤部分替代高岭土降低了固化体抗压强度,从力学性能上看,土壤掺量低于50%时,能满足建筑材料的强度要求(10 MPa),掺量为60%仅能满足固废填埋要求(5 MPa),土壤掺量≥70%均不能满足要求。随着土壤掺量增加,对土壤中重金属的稳定化效果也逐渐降低,当土壤Pb、As和Cd浓度分别为600、80和22 mg·L~(-1)(HJ 350-2007B)时,土壤掺量在20%~50%,固化体中3种元素浸出浓度均低于浸出标准;当土壤掺量达到60%时,Pb的浸出浓度不能满足标准要求,当土壤掺量增加至70%,固化体中Pb、Cd浸出浓度均超标。固定土壤掺量为30%,随着污染土壤中重金属含量的增加,浸出浓度也增加:土壤中3种重金属浓度为HJ 350-2007B时经过30 d的稳定化处理,浸出浓度满足标准要求;而当浓度达到HJ 350-2007B的2倍时,Pb浸出浓度超标;达到HJ 350-2007B的3倍时,3种Pb、As和Cd均超出浸出标准。固化体中Pb、As、Cd的形态研究表明,外源重金属进入土壤后多以活性较高的形态存在,经过固化稳定后活性态占比降低、残渣态占比增加。     

3种含铁材料对重金属和砷复合污染底泥稳定化处理

选用3种含铁材料FeCl3、Fe(OH)3和FePO4,开展重金属和砷(As)复合污染底泥的稳定化处理实验,并用毒性浸出测试(TCLP)的结果和底泥交换态重金属(Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn)及As的含量来评价其稳定化效果。结果表明,(1)FeCl3和FePO4降低了底泥pH值,Fe(OH)3轻微地提高了底泥pH值。(2)FeCl3活化了底泥中Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn,使其浸出量和交换态含量增加,对As浸出量的影响不大,但使底泥中As交换态含量明显降低,且在最大添加量(8.00 g/kg)时As交换态含量未检测出;Fe(OH)3降低了Cd交换态和浸出量,稍增加了As交换态和浸出量,但对Pb、Cu、Zn交换态和浸出量影响不明显;FePO4明显降低了Pb的浸出量和交换态含量,略微降低了交换态Cd、Zn含量,对交换态Cu影响不大,但明显增加了As的浸出量和交换态含量。综上,FeCl3对As具有较好的稳定化效果,但明显活化了底泥中的4种重金属;Fe(OH)3亦对底泥中Cd有一定稳定化效果;FePO4对Pb的稳定化效果较好,但明显活化了底泥中的As。显然,3种含铁材料都不能实现底泥中重金属和As的同时稳定化。     

芬顿和氯化铁协同修复三价砷污染土的稳定化效果

由于铁盐稳定化修复砷污染土通常不考虑砷价态对毒性和迁移性的影响,导致了修复效果欠佳。针对三价砷污染土提出了预氧化-稳定化协同修复方法,先使用芬顿将三价砷氧化为低迁移性的五价砷,再利用氯化铁将其稳定化。通过合成沉降淋滤试验、生物可利用性、pH测试、连续萃取试验和光谱分析研究了协同修复的稳定化效果和机理。结果表明,与未经处理的污染土相比,1%用量的芬顿和1倍铁砷比的氯化铁进行协同修复的稳定化处理可使浸出浓度降低99.6%,生物可利用性砷的质量分数降低99.4%,修复效率得到提高;芬顿氧化和氯化铁稳定化都使土壤pH降低,但1倍铁砷比下协同修复后的pH为5.82,高于6倍铁砷比下只用氯化铁修复的pH (3.78),由此可一定程度上避免过量使用铁盐造成的土壤酸化;连续萃取试验表明协同修复后更多不稳定态的砷转变为稳定形态;光谱分析发现协同修复可以将土壤中三价砷全部氧化为五价,并通过铁氧化物/氢氧化物吸附和砷酸铁沉淀的形式固定砷。本研究结果可为三价砷污染土修复提供理论和技术支持。     

次氯酸钙/氧化钙对高砷污泥的氧化稳定化处理

针对某硫酸厂废水处理后产生的高浓度含砷(As)污泥,开展氧化稳定化处理技术研究。以浸出毒性作为评价指标,探讨次氯酸钙和氧化钙联合使用对污泥中As的稳定化处理效果,结合XPS和XRD表征探讨了稳定化机制。结果表明:原始污泥中As主要以As(Ⅲ)形式存在,次氯酸钙能将As(Ⅲ)氧化成As(Ⅴ);加入氧化钙能同时提高Ca/As摩尔比和pH,Ca与As(Ⅴ)结合形成稳定的砷酸钙盐。依次加入质量比为5%的次氯酸钙和10%的氧化钙,使Ca/As摩尔比达到2.4以上,As的稳定化率达到99%以上,浸出浓度从181 mg·L~(-1)降低至1.5 mg·L~(-1),且浸出液pH小于12,达到《危险废物填埋污染控制标准》(GB 18598-2001)要求。     

铁盐对污泥飞灰共热解产物浸出浓度的影响研究

采用热解法,研究了不同铁盐种类及添加量时污泥与飞灰共热解产物的重金属浸出浓度,同时对污泥飞灰的混合比例进行进一步讨论以确定经济有效的新型处置工艺。结果表明:整体上,不同铁盐对Cd、Pb、Cu和Zn浸出的影响差异显著;单独添加Fe_2(SO_4)_3时,热解炭中Cd、Pb、Cu和Zn浸出浓度比单独FeSO_4时低约67.8%、31.0%、62.8%、45.8%。添加Fe_2(SO_4)_3使Fe添加量为干污泥质量的0.5%时,可以有效降低大多数重金属的浸出浓度。污泥飞灰的混合比例对As、Cd、Pb和Zn浸出的影响差异显著。热解温度为500℃,干污泥∶飞灰质量比为2∶1时,加入Fe_2(SO_4)_3(Fe添加量为干污泥质量的0.5%)后,热解炭可在生活垃圾填埋场中填埋。     

淹水对土壤重金属浸出行为的影响及机制

为了明确淹水对土壤重金属浸出行为的影响及其作用机制,以实际场地重金属污染土壤为研究对象,开展了淹水实验。对淹水过程中土壤重金属的浸出浓度、氧化还原电位、pH、铁氧化物浓度及重金属形态等相关指标进行测定了分析。结果表明,淹水后,重金属浸出浓度随淹水时间呈现先增长后降低趋势。淹水初期(30 d),Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb浸出浓度分别增加了6.71%、4.03%、3.56%和4.55%。pH降低、有机质降解和铁氧化物还原溶解是导致重金属浸出浓度升高的主要原因。随淹水时间的持续增加,重金属浸出浓度逐渐降低并于90 d时趋于稳定。淹水结束时(180 d),Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb浸出浓度分别降低了23.78%、16.78%、15.48%和15.45%。重金属形态分析表明,淹水促使重金属赋存形态由酸可提取态转化为可还原态和可氧化态,降低了重金属活性;矿物成份分析证实了金属硫化铜物相的生成。新形成的无定形氧化铁对重金属的吸附作用和硫化物与重金属的化学沉淀作用是重金属浸出浓度降低的主要机制。该研究为淹水条件下重金属污染土壤风险控制提供了依据。     

Biochar- and phosphate-induced immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soil and water: implication on simultaneous remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater

Long-term wastewater irrigation or solid waste disposal has resulted in the heavy metal contamination in both soil and groundwater. It is often separately implemented for remediation of contaminated soil or groundwater at a specific site. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the hypothesis of simultaneous remediation of both heavy metal contaminated soil and groundwater by integrating the chemical immobilization and pump-and-treat methods. To accomplish the objective, three experiments were conducted, i.e., an incubation experiment was first conducted to determine how dairy-manure-derived biochar and phosphate rock tailing induced immobilization of Cd in the Cd-contaminated soils; second, a batch sorption experiment was carried out to determine whether the pre-amended contaminated soil still had the ability to retain Pb, Zn and Cd from aqueous solution. BCR sequential extraction as well as XRD and SEM analysis were conducted to explore the possible retention mechanism; and last, a laboratory-scale model test was undertaken by leaching the Pb, Zn, and Cd contaminated groundwater through the pre-amended contaminated soils to demonstrate how the heavy metals in both contaminated soil and groundwater were simultaneously retained and immobilized. The incubation experiment showed that the phosphate biochar were effective in immobilizing soil Cd with Cd concentration in TCLP (toxicity characteristics leaching procedure) extract reduced by 19.6 % and 13.7 %, respectively. The batch sorption experiment revealed that the pre-amended soil still had ability to retain Pb, Zn, and Cd from aqueous solution. The phosphate-induced metal retention was mainly due to the metal–phosphate precipitation, while both sorption and precipitation were responsible for the metal stabilization in the biochar amendment. The laboratory-scale test demonstrated that the soil amended with phosphate removed groundwater Pb, Zn, and Cd by 96.4 %, 44.6 %, and 49.2 %, respectively, and the soil amended with biochar removed groundwater Pb, Zn, and Cd by 97.4 %, 53.4 %, and 54.5 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the metals from both groundwater and soil itself were immobilized with the amendments, with the leachability of the three metals in the CaCl₂ and TCLP extracts being reduced by up to 98.1 % and 62.7 %, respectively. Our results indicate that the integrated chemical immobilization and pump-and-treat method developed in this study provides a novel way for simultaneous remediation of both metal-contaminated soil and groundwater.     

Mobility of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the phosphorus-amended contaminated soils under simulated landfill and rainfall conditions

Phosphorus-bearing materials have been widely applied in immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils. However, the study on the stability of the initially P-induced immobilized metals in the contaminated soils is far limited. This work was conducted to evaluate the mobility of Pb, Cu, and Zn in two contrasting contaminated soils amended with phosphate rock tailing (PR) and triple superphosphate fertilizer (TSP), and their combination (P?+?T) under simulated landfill and rainfall conditions. The main objective was to determine the stability of heavy metals in the P-treated contaminated soils in response to the changing environment conditions. The soils were amended with the P-bearing materials at a 2:1 molar ratio of P to metals. After equilibrated for 2 weeks, the soils were evaluated with the leaching procedures. The batch-based toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) was conducted to determine the leachability of heavy metals from both untreated and P-treated soils under simulated landfill condition. The column-based synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) were undertaken to measure the downward migration of metals from untreated and P-treated soils under simulated rainfall condition. Leachability of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the TCLP extract followed the order of Zn?>?Cu?>?Pb in both soils, with the organic-C- and clay-poor soil showing higher metal leachability than the organic-C- and clay-rich soil. All three P treatments reduced leachability of Pb, Cu, and Zn by up to 89.2, 24.4, and 34.3 %, respectively, compared to the untreated soil, and TSP revealed more effectiveness followed by P?+?T and then PR. The column experiments showed that Zn had the highest downward migration upon 10 pore volumes of SPLP leaching, followed by Pb and then Cu in both soils. However, migration of Pb and Zn to subsoil and leachate were inhibited in the P-treated soil, while Cu in the leachate was enhanced by P treatment in the organic-C-rich soil. More than 73 % P in the amendments remained in the upper 0–10 cm soil layers. However, leaching of P from soluble TSP was significant with 24.3 % of P migrated in the leachate in the organic-C-poor soil. The mobility of heavy metals in the P-treated soil varies with nature of P sources, heavy metals, and soils. Caution should be taken on the multi-metal stabilization since the P amendment may immobilize some metals while promoting others’ mobility. Also, attention should be paid to the high leaching of P from soluble P amendments since it may pose the risk of excessive P-induced eutrophication.     

Leaching of heavy metals from contaminated soils using EDTA

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) extraction of Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb from four contaminated soils was studied using batch and column leaching experiments. In the batch experiment, the heavy metals extracted were virtually all as 1:1 metal-EDTA complexes. The ratios of Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb of the extracted were similar to those in the soils, suggesting that EDTA extracted the four heavy metals with similar efficiency. In contrast, different elution patterns were obtained for Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb in the column leaching experiment using 0.01 M EDTA. Cu was either the most mobile or among the most mobile of the four heavy metals, and its peak concentration corresponded with the arrival of full strength EDTA in the leachate. The mobility of Zn and Cd was usually slightly lower than that of Cu. Pb was the least mobile, and its elution increased after the peaks of Cu and Zn. Sequential fractionations of leached and un-leached soils showed that heavy metals in various operationally defined fractions contributed to the removal by EDTA. Considerable mobilisation of Fe occurred in two of the four soils during EDTA leaching. Decreases in the Fe and Mn oxide fraction of heavy metals after EDTA leaching occurred in both soils, as well as in a third soil that showed little Fe mobilisation. The results suggest that the lability of metals in soil, the kinetics of metal desorption/dissolution and the mode of EDTA addition were the main factors controlling the behaviour of metal leaching with EDTA.     

The effect of earthworms on the fractionation, mobility and bioavailability of Pb, Zn and Cd before and after soil leaching with EDTA

The effect of two ecologically contrasting earthworm species Eisenia fetida (epigeic) and Octolasion tyrtaeum (endogeic) on the fractionation (accessed using sequential extractions), mobility (toxicity characteristic leaching procedure, TCLP) and oral bioavailability (Ruby's physiologically based extraction test, PBET) of Pb, Zn and Cd was studied before and after soil remediation with soil leaching. Twenty-step leaching, with 2.5 mmol kg(-1) EDTA used in each step, removed 58.4%, 25.0% and 68.0% of initial soil Pb, Zn and Cd, respectively, shifted the fractionation of residual heavy metals toward less labile forms, and decreased their mobility by 83.7%, 80.3%, and 90.9%. Pb oral bioavailability was reduced by 3.1-times (in each stomach and intestinal phase). After soil leaching, both earthworm species enriched the carbonate soil fraction in their casts with residual Pb, and increased the Pb bioavailability in the simulated intestinal phase by a factor of 2.4 (E. fetida) and 2.8 (O. tyrtaeum). The concentration of Pb in TCLP leachate from E. fetida casts was 6.2-times higher than in the bulk of the remediated soil. These results indicate that the effect of biotic factors on the availability of heavy metals residual in soil after soil leaching requires consideration.     

Heavy metal availability,bioaccessibility, and leachability in contaminated soil: effects of pig manure and earthworms

A pot experiment and a leaching experiment were conducted to investigate the effects of earthworms and pig manure on heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) immobility, in vitro bioaccessibility and leachability under simulated acid rain (SAR). Results showed manure significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), available phosphorus (AP), total N, total P and pH, and decreased CaCl₂-extractable metals and total heavy metals in water and SAR leachate. The addition of earthworms significantly increased AP (from 0.38 to 1.7 mg kg^?1), and a downward trend in CaCl₂-extractable and total leaching loss of heavy metals were observed. The combined earthworm and manure treatment decreased CaCl₂-extractable Zn, Cd, and Pb. For Na₄P₂O₇-extractable metals, Cd and Pb were decreased with increasing manure application rate. Application of earthworm alone did not contribute to the remediation of heavy metal polluted soils. Considering the effects on heavy metal immobilization and cost, the application of 6% manure was an alternative approach for treating contaminated soils. These findings provide valuable information for risk management during immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils.

     

Effects of alkaline and bioorganic amendments on cadmium,lead, zinc,and nutrient accumulation in brown rice and grain yield in acidic paddy fields contaminated with a mixture of heavy metals

Paddy soils and rice (Oryza sativa L.) contaminated by mixed heavy metals have given rise to great concern. Field experiments were conducted over two cultivation seasons to study the effects of steel slag (SS), fly ash (FA), limestone (LS), bioorganic fertilizer (BF), and the combination of SS and BF (SSBF) on rice grain yield, Cd, Pb, and Zn and nutrient accumulation in brown rice, bioavailability of Cd, Pb, and Zn in soil as well as soil properties (pH and catalase), at two acidic paddy fields contaminated with mixed heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn). Compared to the controls, SS, LS, and SSBF at both low and high additions significantly elevated soil pH over both cultivation seasons. The high treatments of SS and SSBF markedly increased grain yields, the accumulation of P and Ca in brown rice and soil catalase activities in the first cultivation season. The most striking result was from SS application (4.0 t ha^?1) that consistently and significantly reduced the soil bioavailability of Cd, Pb, and Zn by 38.5–91.2 % and the concentrations of Cd and Pb in brown rice by 20.9–50.9 % in the two soils over both cultivation seasons. LS addition (4.0 t ha^?1) also markedly reduced the bioavailable Cd, Pb, and Zn in soil and the Cd concentrations in brown rice. BF remobilized soil Cd and Pb leading to more accumulation of these metals in brown rice. The results showed that steel slag was most effective in the remediation of acidic paddy soils contaminated with mixed heavy metals.     

Use of bone meal amendments to immobilise Pb, Zn and Cd in soil: A leaching column study

The aim of this study is to test the stabilisation of metals in contaminated soils via the formation of low-solubility metal phosphates. Bone apatite, in the form of commercially available bone meal, was tested as a phosphate source on a mine waste contaminated made-ground with high levels of Pb, Zn and Cd. Triplicate leaching columns were set up at bone meal to soil ratios of 1:25 and 1:10, in addition to unamended controls, and were run for 18 months. The columns were irrigated daily with a synthetic rain solution at pH of 2, 3, and 4.4. After 100 days, the leachate Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations of all amended columns were significantly reduced. For 1:10 treatments, release of these metals was suppressed throughout the trial. For 1:25 treatments, Zn and Cd concentrations in the leachates began to increase after 300 days. DTPA and water extractions showed that Pb and Cd were more strongly held in the amended soils. This study concludes that the complexity of soil processes and the small quantities of metals sequestered precluded determination of a metal immobilisation mechanism.     

Low-grade MgO used to stabilize heavy metals in highly contaminated soils

Low-grade MgO may be an economically feasible alternative in the stabilization of heavy metals from heavily contaminated soils. The use of MgO is described acting as a buffering agent within the pH 9-11 range, minimizing heavy metals solubility and avoiding the redissolution that occurs when lime is used. The effectiveness of LG-MgO has been studied as stabilizer agent of heavily polluted soils mainly contaminated by the flue-dust of the pyrite roasting. The use of LG-MgO as a reactive medium ensures that significant rates of metal fixation, greater than 80%, are achieved. The heavy metals leachate from the stabilized soil samples show a concentration lower than the limit set to classify the waste as non-special residue. Regardless of the quantity of stabilizer employed (greater than 10%), LG-MgO provides an alkali reservoir that allows guaranteeing long-term stabilization without varying the pH conditions.     

Effects of EDTA on solubility of cadmium, zinc, and lead and their uptake by rainbow pink and vetiver grass

Rainbow pink (Dianthus chinensis), a potential phytoextraction plant, can accumulate high concentrations of Cd from contaminated soils. Vetiver grass (Vetiver zizanioides) has strong and long root tissues and is a potential phytostabilization plant since it can tolerate and grow well in soils contaminated with multiple heavy metals. Soil was moderately artificially contaminated by cadmium (20 mg/kg), zinc (500 mg/kg), and lead (1000 mg/kg) in pot experiments. Three concentrations of Na2-EDTA solution (0, 5, and 10 mmol/kg soil) were added to the contaminated soils to study the influence of EDTA solution on phytoextraction by rainbow pink or phytostabilization by vetiver grass. The results showed that the concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Pb in a soil solution of rainbow pink significantly increased following the addition of EDTA (p < 0.05). The concentrations of Cd and Pb in the shoots of rainbow pink also significantly increased after EDTA solution was applied (p < 0.05), but the increase for Zn was insignificant. EDTA treatment significantly increased the total uptake of Pb in the shoot, over that obtained with the control treatment (p < 0.001), but it did not significantly increase the total uptake of Cd and Zn. The concentrations of Zn and Pb in the shoots of rainbow pink are significantly correlated with those in the soil solution, but no relationship exists with concentrations in vetiver grass. The toxicity of highly contaminating metals did not affect the growth of vetiver grass, which was found to grow very well in this study. Results of this study indicate that rainbow pink can be considered to be a potential phytoextraction plant for removing Cd or Zn from metal-contaminated soils, and that vetiver grass can be regarded as a potential phytostabilization plant that can be grown in a site contaminated with multiple heavy metals.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of phosphate treatment for the remediation of mine waste soils contaminated with Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn

The effectiveness of phosphate treatment for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn immobilization in mine waste soils was examined using batch conditions. Application of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) and natural phosphate rock (FAP) effectively reduced the heavy metal water solubility generally by about 84-99%. The results showed that HA was slightly superior to FAP for immobilizing heavy metals. The possible mechanisms for heavy metal immobilization in the soil involve both surface complexation of the metal ions on the phosphate grains and partial dissolution of the phosphate amendments and precipitation of heavy metal-containing phosphates. HA and FAP could significantly reduce Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn availability in terms of water solubility in contaminated soils while minimizing soil acidification and potential risk of eutrophication associated with the application of highly soluble phosphate sources.