Use of magnetite nanoparticles and magnetic separation for the removal of metal(loid)s from contaminated mine soils.

Magnetite nanoparticles have been successfully used for removal and immobilization of contaminants in water, yet their application in soils combined with in situ magnetic separation remains unexplored. We evaluated the effectiveness and optimal conditions for using magnetite nanoparticles combined with magnetic separation to remove metal(loid)s from contaminated mine soils. Soil samples were incubated (15, 45 days) with varying doses of magnetite (0, 25, 50 g kg⁻¹) and moisture (dry, field capacity) and separated using electromagnet or permanent magnet.

Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons polluted soil by spent mushroom substrates: Microbiological structure and functionality.

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) holds valuable microbiota that can be useful in remediating polluted soils with hydrocarbons. However, the microorganisms behind the bioremediation process remain uncertain. In this work, a bioremediation assay of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) polluted soil by SMS application was performed to elucidate the microorganisms and consortia involved in biodegradation by a metabarcoding analysis.

Phytoremediation of Cu and Zn by vetiver grass in mine soils amended with humic acids.

Phytoremediation of contaminated mine soils requires the use of fast-growing, deep-rooted, high-biomass, and metal-tolerant plants with the application of soil amendments that promote metal uptake by plants. A pot experiment was performed to evaluate the combined use of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) and humic acid for phytoremediation of Cu and Zn in mine soils. Vetiver plants were grown in soil samples collected from two mine sites of Spain mixed with a commercial humic acid derived from leonardite at doses of 0, 2, 10, and 20 g kg(-1).

Soluble organic carbon and pH of organic amendments affect metal mobility and chemical speciation in mine soils.

We evaluated the effects of pH and soluble organic carbon affected by organic amendments on metal mobility to find out the optimal conditions for their application in the stabilization of metals in mine soils. Soil samples (pH 5.5-6.

Chemical speciation and mobilization of copper and zinc in naturally contaminated mine soils with citric and tartaric acids.

A one-step extraction procedure and a leaching column experiment were performed to assess the effects of citric and tartaric acids on Cu and Zn mobilization in naturally contaminated mine soils to facilitate assisted phytoextraction. A speciation modeling of the soil solution and the metal fractionation of soils were performed to elucidate the chemical processes that affected metal desorption by organic acids. Different extracting solutions were prepared, all of which contained 0.