Immobilization of potentially toxic metals using different soil amendments

The in situ stabilization of potentially toxic metals (PTMs), using various easily available amendments, is a cost-effective remediation method for contaminated soils. In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness of apatite and a commercial mixture of dolomite, diatomite, smectite basaltic tuff, bentonite, alginite and zeolite (Slovakite) on Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd stabilization by means of decreasing their bioavailability in contaminated soil from an old lead and zinc smelter site in Arnoldstein, Austria. We also investigated the impact of 5% (w/w) apatite and Slovakite applications on soil functionality and quality, as assessed by glucose-induced soil respiration, dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase activity. Both amendments resulted in increased soil pH and decreased PTM potential bioavailability assessed by diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid extraction and by sequential extractions in the water-soluble and exchangeable fractions. The efficiency of stabilization was reflected in the soil respiration rate and in enzymatic activity. The β-glucosidase activity assay was the most responsive of them.     

重金属污染土壤的草酸和EDTA混合淋洗研究

采用不同浓度的草酸(oxalic acid,OX)和乙二胺四乙酸(EDTA)混合的淋洗方法研究重金属污染土壤的最佳混合淋洗方式,探讨了液固比、淋洗时间及pH对淋洗效果的影响,并分析了0.2 mol/L OX+0.2 mol/L EDTA处理前后土壤中重金属形态的变化。结果表明,采用0.2 mol/L OX+0.2 mol/L EDTA混合的淋洗法可同时去除多种重金属,且对Cu、Zn、Ni和Cr的去除率明显高于单用OX和EDTA,去除率分别为Cu 41.29%、Zn 84.73%、Ni 54.2%和Cr 66.01%。0.2mol/L OX+0.2 mol/L EDTA在液固比为5∶1、淋洗时间为4 h、pH为6时可分别达到最佳淋洗效果,且分别为Cu 62.59%、Zn 93.48%、Ni 55.95%和Cr 71.57%;Cu 50.47%、Zn 86.67%、Ni 61.53%和Cr 72.68%;Cu 44.40%、Zn 81.82%、Ni68.76%和Cr 74.93%。形态分析结果表明,0.2 mol/L OX+0.2 mol/L EDTA能较好地改变土壤中重金属形态的分布。     

Bioaccumulation in Porcellio scaber (Crustacea, Isopoda) as a measure of the EDTA remediation efficiency of metal-polluted soil

Leaching using EDTA applied to a Pb, Zn and Cd polluted soil significantly reduced soil metal concentrations and the pool of metals in labile soil fractions. Metal mobility (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure), phytoavailability (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid extraction) and human oral-bioavailability (Physiologically Based Extraction Test) were reduced by 85-92%, 68-91% and 88-95%, respectively. The metal accumulation capacity of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber (Crustacea) was used as in vivo assay of metal bioavailability, before and after soil remediation. After feeding on metal contaminated soil for two weeks, P. scaber accumulated Pb, Zn and Cd in a concentration dependent manner. The amounts of accumulated metals were, however, higher than expected on the basis of extraction (in vitro) tests. The combined results of chemical extractions and the in vivo test with P. scaber provide a more relevant picture of the availability stripping of metals after soil remediation.     

The water-soluble fraction of potentially toxic elements in contaminated soils: relationships between ecotoxicity, solubility and geochemical reactivity

To better understand the impacts posed by soil contamination to aquatic ecosystems it is crucial to characterise the links between ecotoxicity, chemical availability and geochemical reactivity of potentially toxic elements (PTE’s) in soils. We evaluated the adverse effects of water extracts obtained from soils contaminated by chemical industry and mining, using a test battery including organisms from different trophic levels (bacteria, algae and daphnids). These tests provided a quick assessment of the ecotoxicity of soils with respect to possible adverse effects on aquatic organisms although the ecotoxicological responses could be related to the solubility of PTE’s only to a limited extent.The analysis of results of bioassays together with the chemical characterisation of water extracts provided additional relevant insight into the role of conductivity, pH, Al, Fe, and Mn of soil extracts on toxicity to organisms. Furthermore, an important conclusion of this study was that the toxicity of extracts to the aquatic organisms could also be related to the soil properties (pH, Org C and Fe_ox) and to the reactivity of PTE’s in soils which in fact control the soluble fraction of the contaminants.The combined assessment of ecotoxicity in water fractions, solubility and geochemical reactivity of PTE’s in soils provided a more comprehensive understanding of the bioavailability of inorganic contaminants than ecotoxicological or chemical studies alone and can therefore be most useful for environmental risks assessment of contaminated soils.     

EDTA及其回收溶液治理重金属污染土壤的研究

试验结果表明,EDTA能够有效地萃取土壤重金属,由于其价格较贵和不易被降解等特点,限制了它的广泛运用.在运用MINTEQA2模型对萃取液中重金属离子形态分析的基础上,选用Na2S沉淀法将重金属从EDTA萃取液中有效分离.同时将回收的EDTA连续进行萃取土壤重金属,由于回收EDTA浓度下降的原因,其效果比新鲜EDTA的要稍微差一点,但从经济和效率上来说,仍旧可以用来治理重金属污染的土壤.     

Electrokinetic remediation of organochlorines in soil: enhancement techniques and integration with other remediation technologies

Electrokinetic remediation has been increasingly used in soils and other matrices for numerous contaminants such as inorganic, organic, radionuclides, explosives and their mixtures. Several strategies were tested to improve this technology effectiveness, namely techniques to solubilize contaminants, control soil pH and also couple electrokinetics with other remediation technologies. This review focus in the experimental work carried out in organochlorines soil electroremediation, aiming to systemize useful information to researchers in this field. It is not possible to clearly state what technique is the best, since experimental approaches and targeted contaminants are different. Further research is needed in the application of some of the reviewed techniques. Also a number of technical and environmental issues will require evaluation for full-scale application. Removal efficiencies reported in real contaminated soils are much lower than the ones obtained with spiked kaolinite, showing the influence of other factors like aging of the contamination and adsorption to soil particles, resulting in important challenges when transferring technologies into the field.     

Eisenia fetida avoidance behavior as a tool for assessing the efficiency of remediation of Pb, Zn and Cd polluted soil

Remediation by means of soil leaching with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is capable of extracting the most labile soil fractions, leaving the residual metals in biologically non-available forms. We evaluated the feasibility of the standardized earthworm (Eisenia fetida) avoidance test for assessing the efficiency of soil remediation of Pb, Zn and Cd polluted soil. Chemical extraction tests (six-step sequential extraction, toxicity characteristic leaching procedure, physiologically based extraction test, diethylenediaminepentaacetic acid extraction) indicated that the mobility, oral bioaccessibility and phytoavailability of Pb, Zn and Cd were consistently reduced. However, the avoidance test showed no significant avoidance of polluted soil in favor of that which had been remediated. Pb, Zn and Cd accumulation in E. fetida mirrored the decreasing pattern of metal potential bioavailability gained by leaching the soil with increasing EDTA concentrations. The calculated bioaccumulation factors indicated the possibility of underestimating the metal bioavailability in soil using chemical extraction tests.     

Green manure plants for remediation of soils polluted by metals and metalloids: Ecotoxicity and human bioavailability assessment

Borage, white mustard and phacelia, green manure plants currently used in agriculture to improve soil properties were cultivated for 10 wk on various polluted soils with metal(loid) concentrations representative of urban brownfields or polluted kitchen gardens. Metal(loid) bioavailability and ecotoxicity were measured in relation to soil characteristics before and after treatment. All the plants efficiently grow on the various polluted soils. But borage and mustard only are able to modify the soil characteristics and metal(loid) impact: soil respiration increased while ecotoxicity, bioaccessible lead and total metal(loid) quantities in soils can be decreased respectively by phytostabilization and phytoextraction mechanisms. These two plants could therefore be used for urban polluted soil refunctionalization. However, plant efficiency to improve soil quality strongly depends on soil characteristics.     

Remediation of metal-contaminated soils with the addition of materials - part II: leaching tests to evaluate the efficiency of materials in the remediation of contaminated soils

The effect of the addition of materials on the leaching pattern of As and metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cd) in two contaminated soils was investigated. The examined materials included bentonites, silicates and industrial wastes, such as sugar foam, fly ashes and a material originated from the zeolitization of fly ash. Soil + material mixtures were prepared at 10% doses. Changes in the acid neutralization capacity, crystalline phases and contaminant leaching over a wide range of pHs were examined by using pH_stat leaching tests. Sugar foam, the zeolitic material and MX-80 bentonite produced the greatest decrease in the leaching of pollutants due to an increase in the pH and/or the sorption capacity in the resulting mixture. This finding suggests that soil remediation may be a feasible option for the reuse of non-hazardous wastes.     

福州市蔬菜基地土壤重金属和多环芳烃的含量及其与土壤磁性指标的关系

蔬菜基地土壤污染状况与人类健康有着密切的关系。本研究对福州市蔬菜基地土壤中6种重金属和15种美国环境保护总署（US EPA）优控的多环芳烃（PAHs）污染状况进行了调查,并分析了污染物含量与土壤磁性指标间的关系。结果表明,土壤中重金属平均含量为Zn 147.0 mg·kg-1、Pb 55.0 mg·kg-1、Cu 45.5 mg·kg-1、Cr 21.3 mg·kg-1、As 16.0 mg·kg-1、Cd 0.6 mg·kg-1;PAHs的总量范围为324.3~1 838.6 μg·kg-1。Cu含量和PAHs总量与土壤磁化率χ都具有显著的相关性（pχfd的结果分析表明,土壤中PAHs主要来源于石油泄漏和生物质的燃烧;重金属来源复杂,为混合来源,包括人类活动排放和成土母质固有含量。污染评价结果表明,土壤中Cr和As的含量都未超标,Cu、Zn和Cd的含量均超标;参考荷兰土壤修复标准中的目标值, PAHs含量超标的土壤为11.1%,而参照我国土壤污染状况评价技术规定,PAHs含量超标的土壤为22.2%。