Here we describe two innovative approaches for remediating sediments contaminated with organotin compounds (OTCs, mainly TBT) and metal(loid)s. The first involves chemical stabilization through amendments with nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), dunite mining waste, and coal tailings, materials that have not been previously studied for OTC remediation. The second focuses on physical soil washing, using grain-size separation and magnetic separation to isolate the most polluted fractions, thereby reducing the volume of contaminated material destined for landfills.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis greenhouse study evaluated the effects of soil enrichment with rhizosphere bacteria on the growth and accumulation of arsenic in grown on a naturally As-rich soil. Inoculations were performed with a consortium of six bacteria resistant to 100 mM arsenate and effects were compared to those obtained on the sterilized soil. Selected bacteria from the consortium were also utilized individually: PVr_9 homologous to that produces IAA and siderophores and shows ACC deaminase activity, PVr_15 homologous to that contains the arsenate reductase gene, and PVr_5 homologous to that possesses all traits from both PVr_9 and PVr_15.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoil pollution by As and Hg is a pressing environmental issue given their persistence. The intricate removal processes and subsequent accumulation of these elements in soil adversely impact plant growth and pose risks to other organisms in the food chain and to underground aquifers. Here we assessed the effectiveness of non-toxic industrial byproducts, namely coal fly ash and steelmaking slag, as soil amendments, both independently and in conjunction with an organic fertilizer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe remoteness and low population in the Arctic allow us to study global environmental processes, where the analysis of indicators can provide useful information about local and distant pollution sources. Fresh snow represents a convenient indicator of regional and transboundary atmospheric contamination sources, entrapping aerosols, and particulates like a natural autosampler of the environment. Lead stable isotopes are widely used to trace and monitor local and distant pollution sources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGraphene oxide (GOx) is a nanomaterial with demonstrated capacity to remove metals from water. However, its effects on organic pollutants and metal(loid)s present in polluted soils when used for remediation purposes have not been extensively addressed. Likewise, few studies describe the effects of GOx on edaphic properties and soil biology.
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