Biochar-nanoparticle combinations enhance the biogeochemical recovery of a post-mining soil.

Here we addressed the capacity of distinct amendments to reduce arsenic (As), copper (Cu), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) associated risks and improve the biogeochemical functions of post-mining soil. To this, we examined nanoparticles (NPs) and/or biochar effects, combined with phytostabilization using Lolium perenne L. Soil samples were taken in a former metal mine surroundings.

Phytoremediation potential depends on the degree of soil pollution: a case study in an urban brownfield.

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective nature-based solution for brownfield reclamation. The choice of phytoextraction or phytostabilization strategies is highly relevant when planning full-scale treatments. A suitable approach to identify such species involves the evaluation of plants that grow spontaneously on the contaminated sites.

Pyrolysis temperature influences the capacity of biochar to immobilize copper and arsenic in mining soil remediation.

Biochar is a promising material used for multiple remediation approaches, mainly in polluted soils. Its properties can differ depending on feedstock and pyrolysis temperature. In this context, we tested the capacity of three biochar products made from corncob, pyrolyzed at different temperatures (350, 500, and 650 °C), to remediate a mining soil affected by high levels of Cu and As.

Effective bioremediation of soil from the Burgan oil field (Kuwait) using compost: A comprehensive hydrocarbon and DNA fingerprinting study.

An innovative combination of metagenomic profiling of microbial communities and GC-MS & Pyrolysis-GC-MS fingerprinting methods were used to assess the biodegradation of contaminated soil from the Burgan oil field in Kuwait. The soil was treated with (sludge) compost in microcosms to evaluate the feasibility of this material for bioremediation purposes. The most favourable trial showed a > 80% decrease in TPH, thereby indicating strong potential for full-scale application using a cost-effective technology and thus in line with the principles of the circular economy.

Contrasting mobility of arsenic and copper in a mining soil: A comparative column leaching and pot testing approach.

The remediation of legacy metal(loid) contaminated soils in-situ relies on the addition of [organic] amendments to reduce the mobility and bioavailability of metal(loid)s, improve soil geochemical parameters and restore vegetation growth. Two vermicomposts of food and animal manure waste origin (V and V) were amended to an arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) contaminated mine soil (≤1500 mg kg). Leaching columns and pot experiments evaluated copper and arsenic in soil pore waters, as well as pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and phosphate (PO) concentrations.

Short-term experiment for the in situ stabilization of a polluted soil using mining and biomass waste.

Mining and biomass waste were used to remediate a brownfield affected by As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn pollution in a pilot scale experiment, and a plant used for phytoremediation purposes was used as an indicator of possible toxicological effects. To carry out the experiments, plots in field conditions were treated with magnesite (mining waste), magnesite-sludge compost, and magnesite-biochar respectively, while untreated soil was used as a control. The plots were then irrigated and left for one week, after which seeds of the ryegrass Lolium perenne L.

Comparison of the effectiveness of biochar vs. magnesite amendments to immobilize metals and restore a polluted soil.

Here we addressed the remediation of a soil severely contaminated by Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn. In this regard, we tested the capacity of magnesite and biochar, inorganic and organic soil amendments, respectively, to reduce metal availability and improve soil properties. To this end, 1-kg pots containing the polluted soil were amended with either magnesite or biochar.

Application of biochar, compost and ZVI nanoparticles for the remediation of As, Cu, Pb and Zn polluted soil.

Here we tested the capacity of zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) combined with two organic amendments, namely, compost and biochar, to immobilize metal(oid)s such as As, Cu, Pb, and Zn. In addition, the effects of the amendments on the development of Brassica juncea L., a plant widely used for phytoremediation purposes, were also examined.

Nanoremediation of As and metals polluted soils by means of graphene oxide nanoparticles.

The capacity of graphene oxide nanoparticles (nGOx) to reduce or increase As and metals availability in polluted soils was compared with that of zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI). The nanomaterials used in this study were characterized by X-ray techniques, CHNS-O analysis, dynamic light scattering, and microscopy procedures such as atomic force microscopy. To assess the capacity of these materials to immobilize pollutants, field samples of two soils were treated with nZVI and nGOx at a range of doses (0.

Contribution of fluorite mining waste to mercury contamination in coastal systems.

Samples from 13 beaches along the northern Spanish coast, a region with a history of heavy industries, were first screened to identify signs of pollution. High concentrations of Hg and Ba on Vega beach were found, both elements belong to the fluorite ore paragenesis, mined in the surroundings. Samples of beach and fluvial sediments, and nearby soils were collected in Vega beach area to address potential Hg pollution, fate and sources.

Comparative effect of compost and technosol enhanced with biochar on the fertility of a degraded soil.

A large number of studies on the reclamation of mine soils focused on the problem caused by metals and did not explore in depth the issue of nutrients and vegetation after the application of organic materials. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two treatments made of wastes and vegetated with Brassica juncea L. on the fertility of a settling pond mine soil.

Effects of compost and technosol amendments on metal concentrations in a mine soil planted with Brassica juncea L.

Mining activities often cause important impacts on soil and water quality. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of amendments (compost and technosol made from waste) on metal concentrations in a mine soil planted with Brassica juncea. A greenhouse experiment with cylinder pots was carried out during 11 months.

Using compost and technosol combined with biochar and Brassica juncea L. to decrease the bioavailable metal concentration in soil from a copper mine settling pond.

One of the most important sources of pollution caused by metals, if not the most important, is mining. Metal pollution is covert, persistent and irreversible. For this reason, soil metal pollution has become a severe problem in many parts of the world.

Recovering a copper mine soil using organic amendments and phytomanagement with Brassica juncea L.

A 3-month greenhouse experiment was carried out for evaluating the effect of an amendment mixture and mustards on the chemical characteristics of a mine soil and the metal uptake by plants. A settling pond soil was amended with increasing percentages of a technosol and biochar mixture and vegetated with Brassica juncea L. Adding amendments and planting mustards increased the soil pH from 2.

Phytoremediating a copper mine soil with Brassica juncea L., compost and biochar.

The soils at a depleted copper mine in Touro (Galicia, Spain) are chemically degraded. In order to determine the effect of amendments and vegetation on the chemical characteristics of a mine soil and on the plant uptake of metals, a greenhouse experiment was carried out for 3 months. A settling pond soil was amended with different percentages of a compost and biochar mixture and vegetated with Brassica juncea L.