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, Xiang Dong Li

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    174 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)3 extracted 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)3 and 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)3 washing 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)3 or 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 - 2018 Mar

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This research was financially supported by National Research Foundation ( NRF-2015R1D1A1A09060537 , Republic of Korea) and Hong Kong Research Grants Council (PolyU 15222115 and 15223517 ).

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

    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

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'A combination of ferric nitrate/EDDS-enhanced washing and sludge-derived biochar stabilization of metal-contaminated soils'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this