Immobilization of lead in anthropogenic contaminated soils using phosphates with/without oxalic acid

Understanding the effects of oxalic acid (OA) on the immobilization of Pb(II) in contaminated soils by phosphate materials, has considerable benefits for risk assessment and remediation strategies for the soil. A series of phosphate amendments with/without oxalic acid were applied to two anthropogenic contaminated soils. We investigated the immobilization of Pb(II) by KH₂PO₄, phosphate rock (PR), activated phosphate rock (APR) and synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) at different phosphate:Pb (P:Pb) molar ratios (0, 0.6, 2.0 and 4.0) in the presence/absence of 50 mmol oxalic acid/kg soil, respectively. The effects of treatments were evaluated using single extraction with deionized water or CaCl₂, Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) methods. Our results showed that the concentration of water extractable, exchangeable and TCLP-Pb all decreased with incubation time. The concentration of water-extractable Pb after 120 days was reduced by 100% when soils were amended with APR, HAP and HAP + OA, and the TCLP-Pb was < 5 mg/L for the red soil at P:Pb molar ratio 4.0.Water-soluble Pb could not be detected and the TCLP-Pb was < 5 mg/L at all treatments applied to the yellow-brown soil. BCR results indicated that APRwasmost effective, although a slight enhancement of water-soluble phosphate was detected at the P:Pbmolar ratio 4.0 at the beginning of incubation. Oxalic acid activated phosphates, and so mixing insoluble phosphates with oxalic acid may be a useful strategy to improve their effectiveness in reducing Pb bioavailability.     

Evaluation of biostimulation and Tween 80 addition for the bioremediation of long-term DDT-contaminated soil

The bioremediation of a long-term contaminated soil through biostimulation and surfactant addition was evaluated. The concentrations of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) and its metabolites 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDD) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE) were monitored during an 8-week remediation process. Physicochemical characterization of the treated soil was performed before and after the bioremediation process. The isolation and identification of predominant microorganisms during the remediation process were also carried out. The efficiency of detoxification was evaluated after each bioremediation protocol. Humidity and pH and the heterotrophic microorganism count were monitored weekly. The DDT concentration was reduced by 79% after 8 weeks via biostimulation with surfactant addition (B + S) and 94.3% via biostimulation alone (B). Likewise, the concentrations of the metabolites DDE and DDD were reduced to levels below the quantification limits. The microorganisms isolated during bioremediation were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis, Flavobacterium sp., Cuprivadius sp., Variovorax soli, Phenylobacterium sp. and Lysobacter sp., among others. Analysis with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed visualization of the colonization patterns of soil particles. The toxicity of the soil before and after bioremediation was evaluated using Vibrio fischeri as a bioluminescent sensor. A decrease in the toxic potential of the soil was verified by the increase of the concentration/effect relationship EC₅₀ to 26.9% and 27.2% for B + S and B, respectively, compared to 0.4% obtained for the soil before treatment and 2.5% by natural attenuation after 8 weeks of treatment.     

Remediation effect of compost on soluble mercury transfer in a crop of Phaseolus vulgaris

We studied the dynamics of mercury (Hg) transfer in Phaseolus vulgaris plants grown in soil with Hg-doped compost at the maximum levels permitted by Colombian law on organic amendments. Quantitative evaluation of transfer was made in different plant organs: roots, stem, leaves, pods and seeds. Matrix effect was determined in doped soil assays, using soil with and without addition of compost. Results showed that the use of organic matter reduced Hg transfer to the plant and the amount transferred was differentially distributed to the organs. We observed an inverse relationship between concentration and distance from the body to the root. It was evident that transfer was mediated by quantitative factors; the greater the presence of mercury in soil, the larger the amount that will be transferred. Results also indicate the remedial effect of compost and the presence of a barrier, at the root level, against mercury translocation to the plant aerial parts.     

Unraveling the size distributions of surface properties for purple soil and yellow soil

Soils contain diverse colloidal particles whose properties are pertinent to ecological and human health, whereas few investigations systematically analyze the surface properties of these particles. The objective of this study was to elucidate the surface properties of particles within targeted size ranges(i.e. 10, 1–10, 0.5–1, 0.2–0.5 and 0.2 μm) for a purple soil(Entisol) and a yellow soil(Ultisol) using the combined determination method. The mineralogy of corresponding particle-size fractions was determined by X-ray diffraction.We found that up to 80% of the specific surface area and 85% of the surface charge of the entire soil came from colloidal-sized particles( 1 μm), and almost half of the specific surface area and surface charge came from the smallest particles( 0.2 μm). Vermiculite,illite, montmorillonite and mica dominated in the colloidal-sized particles, of which the smallest particles had the highest proportion of vermiculite and montmorillonite. For a given size fraction, the purple soil had a larger specific surface area, stronger electrostatic field, and higher surface charge than the yellow soil due to differences in mineralogy.Likewise, the differences in surface properties among the various particle-size fractions can also be ascribed to mineralogy. Our results indicated that soil surface properties were essentially determined by the colloidal-sized particles, and the 0.2 μm nanoparticles made the largest contribution to soil properties. The composition of clay minerals within the diverse particle-size fractions could fully explain the size distributions of surface properties.     

Remediation effect of compost on soluble mercury transfer in a crop of Phaseolus vulgaris

We studied the dynamics of mercury (Hg) transfer in Phaseolus vulgaris plants grown in soil with Hg-doped compost at the maximum levels permitted by Colombian law on organic amendments. Quantitative evaluation of transfer was made in different plant organs: roots, stem, leaves, pods and seeds. Matrix effect was determined in doped soil assays, using soil with and without addition of compost. Results showed that the use of organic matter reduced Hg transfer to the plant and the amount transferred was differentially distributed to the organs. We observed an inverse relationship between concentration and distance from the body to the root. It was evident that transfer was mediated by quantitative factors; the greater the presence of mercury in soil, the larger the amount that will be transferred. Results also indicate the remedial effect of compost and the presence of a barrier, at the root level, against mercury translocation to the plant aerial parts.     

Evaluation of biostimulation and Tween 80 addition for the bioremediation of long-term DDT-contaminated soil

The bioremediation of a long-term contaminated soil through biostimulation and surfactant addition was evaluated. The concentrations of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane(DDT) and its metabolites 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane(DDD) and1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethylene(DDE) were monitored during an 8-week remediation process. Physicochemical characterization of the treated soil was performed before and after the bioremediation process. The isolation and identification of predominant microorganisms during the remediation process were also carried out. The efficiency of detoxification was evaluated after each bioremediation protocol. Humidity and p H and the heterotrophic microorganism count were monitored weekly. The DDT concentration was reduced by 79% after 8 weeks via biostimulation with surfactant addition(B + S) and 94.3%via biostimulation alone(B). Likewise, the concentrations of the metabolites DDE and DDD were reduced to levels below the quantification limits. The microorganisms isolated during bioremediation were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis, Flavobacterium sp., Cuprivadius sp.,Variovorax soli, Phenylobacterium sp. and Lysobacter sp., among others. Analysis with scanning electron microscopy(SEM) allowed visualization of the colonization patterns of soil particles. The toxicity of the soil before and after bioremediation was evaluated using Vibrio fischeri as a bioluminescent sensor. A decrease in the toxic potential of the soil was verified by the increase of the concentration/effect relationship EC50 to 26.9% and 27.2% for B + S and B, respectively, compared to 0.4% obtained for the soil before treatment and 2.5%by natural attenuation after 8 weeks of treatment.     

湖州表层土壤全氟含量分布及评价

为揭示湖州表层土壤中全氟的空间分布特征及其与其他元素间的相关性,测定分析了湖州市表层土壤的全氟含量,按照土壤全氟指数法评价该地区土壤质量。结果表明,湖州市表层土壤中全氟含量范围在111～883mg/kg之间,均值448 mg/kg,98.4%的表层土壤全氟含量处于正常水平,湖州市表层土壤中全氟含量与Li、Ga、Be、Cs含量密切相关且呈正态分布。     

15年实测氮沉降下竹仙洞小流域土壤酸化研究

以2000—2015年珠海竹仙洞水库小流域湿地松林、台湾相思林和灌木丛为样本,对其土壤属性指标进行相关性分析和主成分分析。结果表明,经过15年自然演替,3个群落的土壤可交换酸度呈下降趋势,其中台湾相思林和灌木丛酸度降低达到显著或极显著水平,受Al³⁺含量影响较大;3个群落的可交换Mg²⁺、K⁺、Na⁺在两种土层均有不同程度的显著下降,而可交换Ca²⁺的变化仅在台湾相思林中显著;总氮、总碳含量均呈上升趋势。主成分分析显示,台湾相思林的生物量丰富、土壤腐殖质多,固氮作用强,故对氮沉降的酸缓冲能力更强。     

土壤氮素的转化过程中温室效应气体的释放和吸收

一氧化二氮(NO₂)是一个重要的温室效应气体,一氧化氮(NO)对温室效应的产生也有间接的作用。土壤作为这两种气体的主要来源的重要性引起了人们的广泛重视。本文主要讨论了土壤中的氮素生物转化过程与NO₂和NO的产生和再利用。以及影响土壤中温室效应气体的释放和吸收的环境条件。      

地基上受化学污染发生胀害工程实例的试验研究

介绍了大冶有色金属公司饮料厂汽水车间地基土发生胀害原因的调查及试验分析。揭示了该地基土因受化学污染发生膨胀的机理,为治理已有裂缝和防止裂缝进一步发展,确保该建筑物安全使用提供了依据。