A combination of ferric nitrate/EDDS-enhanced washing and sludge-derived biochar stabilization of metal-contaminated soils

Jong Chan Yoo, Jingzi Beiyuan, Lei Wang, Daniel C.W. Tsang, Kitae Baek, Nanthi S. Bolan, Yong Sik Ok, Xiangdong Li

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

169 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, soil washing and stabilization as a two-step soil remediation strategy was performed to remediate Pb- and Cu-contaminated soils from shooting range and railway sites. Ferric nitrate (Fe(NO3)3) and [S,S]-ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS) were used as washing agents, whereas three types of sludge-derived biochars and phosphogypsum were employed as soil stabilizers. While Fe(NO3)3extracted larger amounts of metals compared to EDDS (84% Pb and 64% Cu from shooting range soil; 30% Pb and 40% Cu from railway site soil), it caused severe soil acidification. Both Fe(NO3)3and EDDS washing enhanced the mobility of residual metals in the two soils, which in most cases could be mitigated by subsequent 2-month stabilization by sludge-derived biochars or phosphogypsum. By contrast, the metal bioaccessibility could only be reduced by soil washing. Nutrient-rich sludge-derived biochar replenished available P and K in both soils, whereas Fe(NO3)3washing provided available nitrogen (N). Soil amendment enhanced acid phosphatase activity but marginally improved soil dehydrogenase and urease activity in the treated soils, possibly due to the influence of residual metals. This study supported the integration of soil washing (by Fe(NO3)3or EDDS) with soil stabilization (by sludge-derived biochars or phosphogypsum) for accomplishing the reduction of metal mobility and bioaccessibility, while restoring the environmental quality of the treated soils.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)572-582
Number of pages11
JournalScience of the Total Environment
Volume616-617
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2018

Keywords

  • Bioaccessibility
  • Biodegradable chelant
  • Metal immobilization
  • Sewage sludge
  • Soil amendment
  • Soil washing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

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