Stabilization of arsenic-cadmium co-contaminated soil with the iron-manganese sludge derived amendment: Effects and mechanisms.

An iron-manganese sludge-derived amendment was proposed to remediate arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) co-contaminated soil, with a strong adsorptive capacity across pH 4 to 10. The Langmuir model defined maximum adsorption at 78.17 mg/g for As(III), 110.48 mg/kg for As(V), and 65.77 mg/g for Cd(II). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra provided insights into the chemical interactions: As was predominantly complexed or ligand exchanged with iron(hydr)oxides. In contrast, cadmium exhibited a tendency to bond with acylamino and carboxyl groups, in addition to the ferric hydroxyl groups. Notably, 42.15% of the adsorbed As(III) was oxidized into As(V) by Mn(IV) oxides present in the amendment. The soil-verification experiment demonstrated that an amendment dosage of 40 g/kg was efficacious in reducing the leaching concentration of As and Cd to maintained below the safety thresholds of 0.1 mg/L and 0.01 mg/L, respectively, for pH levels 4 to 11, meeting the Chinese Surface Water Quality Standard V (GB3838-2002). After the stabilization, the exchangeable fractions of As and the acid-soluble fractions of Cd were significantly reduced, with these elements being transformed into more stable forms. The amendment maintained the soil's neutral pH and adjusted the soil physicochemical properties. This article presents a holistic approach by examining the organic-inorganic composite of iron-manganese oxides with polyacrylamide, modified as a stabilizing amendment for As and Cd co-contaminated soil. This innovative amendment adeptly navigates the previously conflicting stabilization mechanisms for anionic and cationic metals. Offering dual advantages, the amendment not only remediates soil but also addresses the disposal of waste, presenting a win-win solution for environmental management.