Chelate-assisted phytoextraction of heavy metals in a soil contaminated with a pyritic sludge

Sci Total Environ. 2007 May 25;378(1-2):199-204. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.01.047. Epub 2007 Feb 27.

Abstract

The occurrence of many polluted areas as that affected by the accident of the Aznalcóllar pyrite mine has promoted phytoremediation as a technology able to reduce the risk of heavy metal contamination at low cost. White lupin plant has been considered a good candidate for phytoremediation. We studied the capacity of several complexing agents to improve the ability of white lupin for heavy metal phytoremediation in soils with multi-elemental pollution from acid pyritic sludge. Solution-soil interaction was studied and pot experiments with sludge-affected soil were carried out to this end. The interaction experiments indicated that EDTA and NTA were more efficient than malate and citrate in solubilizing metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd), with minimum differences between EDTA and NTA. The pot trial showed that NTA was able to mobilize toxic elements from sludge-polluted soil and hence increasing their concentrations in plant (Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd). However, the NTA treatment promoted an increase of toxic elements concentrations, especially for As, Cd, Pb, in the lixiviates exceeding the maximum permissible levels, so a careful management of chelate is necessary.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Chelating Agents / chemistry*
  • Citric Acid / chemistry
  • Edetic Acid / chemistry
  • Industrial Waste*
  • Iron
  • Lupinus / metabolism*
  • Malates / chemistry
  • Metals, Heavy / chemistry
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism*
  • Mining
  • Nitrilotriacetic Acid / chemistry
  • Sewage
  • Soil Pollutants / chemistry
  • Soil Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Solubility
  • Spain
  • Sulfides

Substances

  • Chelating Agents
  • Industrial Waste
  • Malates
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Sewage
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Sulfides
  • pyrite
  • Citric Acid
  • malic acid
  • Edetic Acid
  • Iron
  • Nitrilotriacetic Acid