Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Compost on Mine Soils As Evaluated by Chemical,Biological And Biochemical Properties of Soil

Composts are increasingly used in land rehabilitation because they can improve soil quality and reduce the need for inorganic fertilizers. Their use contributes to an integrated approach to waste management by promoting recycling of nutrients and minimizing final disposal of organic residues that, due to their composition, can pose problems to agricultural soils. We investigated whether compost from mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) could be used to remediate two soils from a mine contaminated with trace elements. One of the soils was less acidic and had a greater content of Cu and Zn while the other had more Pb and a lower pH. The effect of MSW was evaluated by plant growth, trace element leachability, ecotoxicity of soil leachates, and biological and biochemical properties of soils. Growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Victorian) was stimulated in the MSW compost-amended soils compared with respective controls or with acidic soil when limed. After ryegrass had been growing for 119 days, the amount of water-extractable Zn was lower in MSW compost-amended soils, while the opposite was true for water-extractable Cu. Water-extractable Pb increased following MSW compost application to one soil and decreased in the other. The greatest dehydrogenase activity was obtained in amended limed soil, while the number of culturable bacteria and fungi and the activities of cellulase and β-glucosidase were similar in soil that was limed or following MSW compost application. In contrast, urease activity was repressed in limed or MSW compost-amended soils. Leachates from unamended soils were toxic towards Daphnia magna. Liming the very acidic soil led to a decrease in the toxicity of the leachate, but it was only in MSW compost-amended soils that ecotoxicity was no longer detected.     

Acute and genetic toxicity of municipal landfill leachate

The large number of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills and the many hazardous materials which they contain pose a serious environmental threat to our groundwater reserves. The present study was conducted to assess the environmental hazards that four MSW landfill leachates pose to the groundwater. Genetic toxicities of the landfill leachate and groundwater samples were assessed using the Salmonella/microsome (Ames test) mutagenicity bioassay, the Bacillus subtilis DNA repair bioassay, and the diploid Aspergillus nidulans chromosome damage bioassay. Acute toxicities of the leachate samples were assessed using the Microtox test. The leachate and groundwater samples were also analyzed for organic constituents using gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The chemical data were used to calculate the estimated cumulative cancer risk for each sample. All leachate samples were acutely toxic, and three of the four leachate samples were genetically toxic. Two of the four leachate samples and the groundwater sample contained concentrations of USEPA priority pollutants in excess of promulgated standards for potable water. Two of the leachates had mean estimated cumulative cancer risks on the same order of magnitude (10^?4) as leachates from co-disposal and hazardous waste landfills. The use of a battery of acute and genetic toxicity bioassays, chemical analysis, and an estimated cancer risk calculation resulted in evidence that MSW landfill leachates are as acutely and chronically toxic as co-disposal and hazardous waste landfill leachates.     

Earthworm avoidance test for soil assessments

For ecotoxicological assessments of contaminated or remediated soils pointing to the habitat function of soils for biocenoses, standardized tests with earthworms (acute test, reproduction test) are available among others. Tests used for routine applications should be sensitive and indicate impacts on test organisms after short test periods. The usually applied earthworm tests do not satisfactorily fulfil these criteria. Therefore, in the present work, a behavioural test with earthworms (test criterion: avoidance) was investigated in detail using uncontaminated, artificially contaminated and originally contaminated soils. It was demonstrated that the avoidance behaviour is primarily determined by pollutants, and not by chemical-physical soil properties. The sensitivity of the presented test reaches the sensitivity of established tests. For waste sites, a considerably higher sensitivity was determined. An avoidance behaviour of at least 80% of the worms leaving the soil to be assessed is proposed as a criterion for toxicity.     

Impact of coal combustion waste on the microbiology of a model aquifer

The effects of water infiltration into an alkaline coal combustion waste burial site on the chemical and microbiological aspects of a meso-scale (2.44 m diameter × 4.6 m, height, 65 tonne) model aquifer were analyzed. The spatial and temporal effects of the alkaline leachate on microbial activity, numbers and diversity were examined in the model and compared with uncontaminated control materials. Within the saturated zone below the waste there was a pH gradient from 12.4 at the water table, immediately below the waste, to 6.0 at 3.5 meters from the waste, and elevated levels of arsenic and strontium in the pore waters. Microtox testing of the contaminated pore waters indicated high toxicity (a gamma value of 1 at dilutions of 45 to 110 fold). The leachate contamination was associated with a reduction in bacterial [³H] leucine incorporation from a high of 267 fmol g^?1 h^?1 in sediments below the contaminant plume to undetectable in the contaminated zone. In comparison, leucine incorporation rates in control column sediments were 899 fmol g^?1 h^?1. Similar toxic effects were evident in reduced total direct and culturable counts of bacteria. Observations also indicated a reduction in microbial diversity and development of alkaline-tolerant microbial communities. These results indicated that any failure of confinement technologies at disposal sites would adversely affect both the chemistry and microbiology of the underlying saturated zone.     

Ecotoxic impact of suspended solids collected from polluted surface waters

Scope and background

Earlier studies showed that artificially contaminated particulate matter could be responsible for acute effects in water fleas and fish. Physical/chemical measurements on suspended solids and river water collected in the field showed that these samples were often contaminated with mixtures of toxic molecules.

Objectives

The present pilot study was started to investigate the possible ecotoxic impact of suspended solids collected in situ.

Methods

Suspended solids and river waters were collected from 22 locations of polluted rivers in the Flanders. An extensive list of chemical components and physical parameters were measured in these matrices. Partition coefficients for water column and suspended solids were calculated. Toxicity of suspensions of solid materials was investigated in 3 test organisms of different trophic levels: Bacteria (BIOMET®), filter feeder (Daphnia magna) and fish (rainbow trout (Oncor-hynchus mykiss) or zebrafish (Danio rerio)). The acute toxicity was measured in a worst-case scenario using high concentrations of solids resuspended in standard medium and at standard conditions.

Results and discussion

The partition coefficients were highly variable, showing that this parameter is not simply related to the octanol/water partition coefficient or to the total organic carbon content of the solids in field conditions, as is often assumed in exposure models. The field material of some locations was toxic. Bacteria were the most sensitive test organisms, showing EC20 values at field relevant concentrations. For some samples, acute toxic effects were seen in fish and water fleas. The chemical content of the samples was very complex and could not simply be related to toxicity. Some samples were highly contaminated with toxic chemicals and yet caused no toxic effects, while other samples did not show extremely high concentrations, but were toxic to the test organisms.

Conclusions

Results show that biotests are needed, next to chemical measurements, to estimate the toxic impact of complex environmental matrices. A better understanding of the adsorption/desorption behaviour of toxic molecules in the water compartment and in living organisms will contribute to a better environmental risk assessment.

Recommendations and outlook

The results indicate that the ecotoxic impact of suspended solids in the field should be further investigated in realistic (non-worst-case) conditions, i.e. for chronic effects at field relevant concentrations. And more extensive scientific research is needed to understand the adsorption/desorption behaviour of toxic molecules in different physicochemical matrices.     

煤矿区矸石山周边土壤重金属污染特征与规律

以山东某矿区为例,通过淋溶模拟实验,研究了煤矸石中重金属的淋溶规律,并探讨了煤矸石山周边土壤重金属污染特征.结果表明:风化矸石淋滤液中的Zn、Pb、Cr和Cu浓度较高,并很快稳定;新鲜矸石在淋溶初期检出Zn,其它重金属元素没有检出;风化矸石淋滤液中重金属的含量要高于未风化矸石.矸石山周边表层土壤中的Zn、pb、Cr和Cu较高,且浓度高出矸石淋溶液许多倍,表明煤矸石中重金属淋滤具有长期性,矿区土壤对重金属具有迁移性和富集性.表层土壤重金属含量随着距煤矸石堆的距离增加而呈明显的下降趋势,充分表明矸石山对周边土壤造成了严重的重金属污染,而且在土壤剖面上,重金属含量表现出随土壤深度的增加而降低的趋势.     

Red Mud as a Chemical Stabilizer for Soil Contaminated with Toxic Metals

We performed a 2-year microcosm study to assess the effectiveness of red mud, a by-product of bauxite processing, in stabilizing contaminated mine waste and agricultural soil. Our study used red mud from a long-term disposal area in Almásfüzit?, Hungary with a pH of 9.0. A 5% (by weight) red mud addition decreased the highly mobile, water-extractable amount of Cd and Zn by 57% and 87%, respectively, in the agricultural soil and by 73% and 79%, respectively, in the mine waste. In a laboratory lysimeter study, the addition of red mud reduced the concentration of Cd and Zn in the leachate by about two third of the original. The metal content of the leachate was below the Maximum Effect Based Quality Criteria for surface water as determined by a risk assessment in the metal-contaminated area of the Toka valley near Gyöngyösoroszi, Hungary. The addition of red mud did not increase the toxicity of the treated mine waste and soil and decreased the Cd and Zn uptake of Sinapis alba test plants by 18–29%. These results indicate that red mud applied to agricultural soil has no negative effects on plants and soil microbes and decreases the amounts of mobile metals, thus indicating its value for soil remediation.     

Preliminary assessment of metal toxicity in the middle tisza river (Hungary) flood plain

Cyanide and heavy metals were accidentally released from a mine waste lagoon in Romania into tributaries ultimately draining into the Tisza River. Within two months of the cyanide accident two subsequent heavy metal waste spills further contaminated the Tisza River, followed by severe spring flooding, which potentially spread the contamination to soils adjacent to the river. Flood plain soils and shoreline sediments were sampled from two locations on the middle Tisza River and a reference site to conduct a preliminary assessment of metal content and toxicity. Ten-day sediment toxicity tests were conducted with the amphipod,Hyalella azteca and 24 h soil toxicity tests were conducted with the nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans). High concentrations of cadmium, copper, zinc, lead and arsenic were detected in soil and sediment samples. However, no mortality was observed inHyalella exposed to Tisza River sediments and only up to 27% mortality of C.elegans was observed in flood plain soils. Low mortalities are attributed to reduced metal bioavailability caused by high soil cation exchange capacities and possible interactions with sediment organic matter or sulfides. Future studies should focus on factors that alter metal bioavailability and their relationship to potential toxicity of organisms exposed to Tisza River sediments and flood plain soils.     

Bioavailability as a Factor in Risk Assessment of Metal-Contaminated Soil

To accurately assess the risks of metal contaminants in soil, the bioavailability of the metals need to be considered. The bioavailable concentrations determined from homogenized, dried soils are not necessarily representative of in situ conditions of undisturbed field soils. In this study, we investigated the accumulation of metals in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in undisturbed contaminated (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd) soil cores, in relation to total soil, leachate, and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT)-labile metal concentrations. Despite the fact that many of the samples contained metal concentrations above guideline values, no significant effects were observed on wheat growth. The bioavailability of metals in the most contaminated samples was estimated to be medium to low, possibly explaining why few effects were observed in the bioassay. For Cu, Zn, and especially for Pb, leachate and DGT-labile concentrations were better predictors of uptake by wheat than total concentrations based on correlations. It is suggested that DGT and leachate concentrations in combination with bioassays in undisturbed soil cores can be used to account for metal bioavailability in soil. These tests could be used during the ecological risk screening stage, in conjunction with total concentrations and guideline values to better estimate receptor exposure.     

Stable Isotope Probing Identifies Novel m-Xylene Degraders in Soil Microcosms from Contaminated and Uncontaminated Sites

Toxicity of contaminated soils cannot be assessed only by chemical analyses, therefore bioassays are increasingly used. Widely accepted ecotoxicological methods include organisms from all levels of the food-chain but plant-based ones are usually restricted to germination and growth tests. In our study the toxicity of heavy metal contaminated soil samples were examined not only by germination and bacterial tests of their extracts but also by the measurement of physiological parameters of two plant species (cucumber and wheat) that were grown directly on the contaminated substrate. Changes in chlorophyll concentration, stomatal conductance, fluorescence characteristics, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level (showing oxidative damage to lipids in leaves) undoubtedly indicated the mobilisation and toxic effect of contaminants. The results showed that the sensitivity of plant physiological parameters was higher than that of the extract-based ecotoxicological tests. Whereas these latter could not reveal the toxic effect of the highly contaminated soils the plants have reacted in a more complex way and their physiological parameters have changed significantly in all cases validating their use in such studies. The applied measurements also allow quicker and more reliable testing even under field conditions (stomatal conductance) or the detection of a more complex response if detailed analyses is needed (MDA, fluorescence imaging) thus underlining the importance of plant-based methods.     

Use of NH4 HCO3‐DTPA soil test to assess availability and toxicity of selenium to alfalfa plants

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine if ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA soil test (AB‐DTPA) of Soltanpour and Schwab for simultaneous extraction of P, K, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn can be used to determine the availability index for Se. Five Mollisols from North Dakota were treated with sodium selenate and were subjected to several wetting and drying cycles. These soils were extracted with hot water and with ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA (AB‐DTPA) solution for Se analysis. Alfalfa plants were grown in these soils in a growth chamber to determine plant uptake of Se. In addition to the above experiment, coal mine soil and overburden materials from Western Colorado were extracted and analyzed as mentioned above.

It was found that hot water and AB‐DTPA extracted approximately equal amounts of Se from Mollisols. A high degree of correlation (r =0.96) was found between Se uptake by plants and AB‐DTPA extractable Se. Extractable level of Se in treated soils was decreased with time due to change of selenate to less soluble Se forms and plant uptake of Se. An AB‐DTPA extractable Se level of over 100 ppb produced alfalfa plants containing 5 ppm or higher levels of Se that can be considered toxic to animals. Soils with about 2000 ppb of extractable Se were highly toxic to alfalfa plants and resulted in plant concentrations of over 1000 ppm of Se. The high rate of selenate (4ppm Se) was less toxic to alfalfa plants in soils of high organic matter content. This lower toxicity was accompanied with lower extractable levels of Se.

The AB‐DTPA solution extracted on the average about 31% more Se than hot water from the mine and overburden samples and was highly correlated with the latter (r =0.92). The results indicated the presence of bicarbonate‐exchangeable Se in these materials.     

Comparisons of metal accumulation and excretion kinetics in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to contaminated field and laboratory soils

The uptake and excretion kinetics of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc were studied for Eisenia fetida exposed to mixtures of these metals in field and OECD artificial soil. Body burdens in worms exposed to all contaminated soils increased over the duration of the experiment. Highest accumulation rates were for worms exposed to the most polluted soils. Pronounced differences were found in the uptake and excretion patterns for essential and non-essential elements (particularly in field soils). For cadmium and lead (non-essential), an equilibrium plateau was not reached during the uptake study and slow excretion was found on transfer of worms to clean soil. For copper and zinc (essential), fast initial uptake was followed by equilibrium after only a few days exposure. Rapid excretion was found after transfer to clean soil, with half-lives of less than 1 day for both metals. A previous study of the effects of metals on worms exposed in OECD and field soils had indicated a higher toxicity in the artificial medium. Thus, in the present study, it was anticipated that greater toxicity would be reflected by increased body burdens for worms in OECD soil. This was, however, not the case. Explanations are given that might account for the fact that the greater toxicity in OECD soil is not invariably accompanied by higher metal burdens. These include the presence of high concentrations of very toxic and highly available ions in laboratory tests and potential differences in the importance of soluble and total metal concentration for determining toxicity and body burdens.     

Human and ecological risks of metals in soils under different land-use types in an urban environment of Bangladesh

Trace metal contamination in soil is of great concern owing to its long persistence in the environment and toxicity to humans and other organisms.Concentrations of six potentially toxic trace metals,Cr,Ni,Cu,As,Cd,and Pb,in urban soils were measured in Dhaka City,Bangladesh.Soils from different land-use types,namely,agricultural field,park,playground,petrol station,metal workshop,brick field,burning sites,disposal sites of household waste,garment waste,electronic waste,and tannery wast,and construction waste demolishing sites,were investigated.The concentration ranges of Cr,Ni,Cu,As,Pb,and Cd in soils were 2.4–1258,8.3–1044,9.7–823,8.7–277,1.8–80,and 13–842 mg kg^-1,respectively.The concentrations of metals were subsequently used to establish hazard quotients(HQs)for the adult population.The metal HQs decreased in the order of As>Cr>Pb>Cd>Ni>Cu.Ingestion was the most vital exposure pathway of studied metals from soils followed by dermal contact and inhalation.The range of pollution load index(PLI)was 0.96–17,indicating severe contamination of soil by trace metals.Considering the comprehensive potential ecological risk(PER),soils from all land-use types showed considerable to very high ecological risks.The findings of this study revealed that in the urban area studied,soils of some land-use types were severely contaminated with trace metals.Thus,it is suggested that more attention should be paid to the potential health risks to the local inhabitants and ecological risk to the surrounding ecosystems.     

粉煤灰堆场附近农田土壤硒环境污染评价

对贞观山煤灰库附近农田土壤、土壤剖面、灌溉水、母岩以及稻米,蔬菜等农作物中Se含量特征及污染现状进行了系统分析与评价.结果显示:煤灰库周围的农田土壤Se含量范围为0.15～6.12mg/kg,受到不同程度污染.土壤Se含量空间分布特征表明.离煤灰库越近的农田土壤Se污染越严重.农田土壤Se污染主要是由Se含量超标地表水灌溉以及煤灰库的长期处置所引起的,受母岩的影响不大.研究区稻米Se含量较高,为0.04～1.12mg/kg,部分稻米样品Se含量超标严重,并且受土壤Se污染影响明显.长期食用Se含量超标大米对人体健康会产生潜在危害.     

Copper Release, Speciation, and Toxicity Following Multiple Floodings of Copper Enriched Agriculture Soils: Implications in Everglades Restoration

This study characterizes the effects of water–soil flooding volume ratio and flooding time on copper (Cu) desorption and toxicity following multiple floodings of field-collected soils from agricultural sites acquired under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) in south Florida. Soils from four field sites were flooded with three water–soil ratios (2, 4, and 6 [water] to 1 [soil]) and held for 14 days to characterize the effects of volume ratio and flooding duration on Cu desorption (volume ratio and flooding duration study). Desorption of Cu was also characterized by flooding soils four times from seven field sites with a volume ratio of 2 (water) to 1 (soil) (multiple flooding study). Acute toxicity tests were also conducted using overlying waters from the first flooding event to characterize the effects of Cu on the survival of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), cladocerans (Daphnia magna), amphipods (Hyalella azteca), midges (Chironomus tentans), duckweed (Lemna minor), and Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa). Acute tests were also conducted with D. magna exposed to overlying water from the second and third flooding events. Results indicate that dissolved Cu concentrations in overlying water increased with flooding duration and decreased with volume ratio. In the multiple flooding study, initial Cu concentrations in soils ranged from 5 to 223 mg/kg (dw) and were similar to Cu concentration after four flooding events, indicating retention of Cu in soils. Copper desorption was dependent on soil Cu content and soil characteristics. Total Cu concentration in overlying water (Cu_w) was a function of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), alkalinity, and soil Cu concentration (Cu_s): log(Cu_w)?=?1.2909?+?0.0279 (DOC)?+?0.0026 (Cu_s)???0.0038 (alkalinity). The model was validated and highly predictive. Most of the desorbed Cu in the water column complexed with organic matter in the soils and accounted for 99% of the total dissolved Cu. Although total dissolved Cu concentrations in overlying water did not significantly decrease with number of flooding events, concentrations of free Cu²⁺ increased with the number of flooding events, due to a decrease in DOC concentrations. The fraction of bioavailable Cu species (Cu²⁺, CuOH⁺, CuCO₃) was also less than 1% of the total Cu. Overlying water from the first flooding event was only acutely toxic to the Florida apple snail from one site. However, overlying water from the third flooding of six out of seven soils was acutely toxic to D. magna. The decrease in DOC concentrations and increase in bioavailable Cu²⁺ species may explain the changes in acute toxicity to D. magna. Results of this study reveal potential for high Cu bioavailability (Cu²⁺) and toxicity to aquatic biota overtime in inundated agricultural lands acquired under the CERP.     

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Mobility in Biosolids-Amended Soils Using Leaching Column Tests

Leaching column tests were conducted to determine the mobility of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in biosolids-amended soils. Deionized water was introduced from the bottom of a glass leaching column containing a 14-mm layer of biosolids-amended soils (210 g) under 42 mm of agricultural soil (600 g). After 4 weeks of leaching, 3.75 L of deionized water had passed through the 210-g biosolids?Csoil layer and 600 g soil, corresponding to 34 volumes of the leachate per volume of solid. The agricultural soil was divided into three 14-mm layers to determine the PBDE distribution along the flow path of the infiltrating water. PBDEs were found to leach from the biosolids-amended soils layer and migrate through the soil. The predominant congeners BDE47, 85, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183, and 209 decreased to 3?C98% of their initial concentrations in the biosolids-amended soil, whereas the total concentration of these eight congeners decreased by 38%. PBDE concentrations in the first 14-mm soil layer increased from not detected (nd) to up to 234?×?10³ pg/g dry weight basis (dw). Concentrations in the second and third soil layers increased from nd to 20 and 25 pg/g dw. PBDE in the leachate increased from nd to 310?×?10³ pg/L. Mobilization of PBDEs is likely associated with dissolved organic matter and colloids in the infiltrating water.     

An innovative stabilization/solidification treatment For contaminated soil remediation: demonstration project results

Background, aim, and scope

An innovative stabilization/solidification (S/S) process using high-performance additivated concrete technology was developed for remediating soil contaminated by metals from abandoned industrial sites. In order to verify the effectiveness of this new ex situ S/S procedure, an area highly contaminated by metallic pollutants (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb), due to the uncontrolled discharge of waste generated from artistic glass production on the island of Murano (Venice, Italy), was selected as a case study. The technique transforms the contaminated soil into an aggregate material suitable for reuse as on-site backfill. This paper reports the main results of the demonstration project performed in collaboration with the local environmental protection agency (ARPAV).

Materials and methods

An ex situ treatment for brownfield remediation, based on the transformation of contaminated soil into very dense, low porous, and mechanically resistant granular material, was set up and tested. Specific additives (water reducers and superplasticizers) to improve the stabilized material properties were developed and patented. A demonstration plant assembled on the study area to treat 6 m³ h^–1was then tested. After excavation, the contaminated soil was screened to remove coarse material. The fraction Ø?>?4 mm (coarse fraction), mainly composed of glass, brick, concrete, and stone debris, was directly reused on site after passing through a washing treatment section. The highly polluted fraction Ø?≤?4 mm (fine fraction) was treated in the S/S treatment division of the plant (European patent WO/2006/097272). The fine fraction was mixed with Portland cement and additives defined on the basis of the high performance concrete technique. the mixture was then granulated in a rolling-plate system. After 28 days curing in an onsite storage area to allow for cement hydration, the stabilized material was monitored before its in situ relocation. The chemical, mechanical, and ecotoxicological reliability and performance of the treatment was checked. Metal leachability was verified according to four leaching test methods: Italian Environmental Ministry Decree (1998), EN 12457 (2002) tout court, amended only with MgSO₄ and, lastly, with artificial sea water. The mechanical properties were measured according to BS (1990) and AASHTO (1999) to obtain the Aggregate Crushing Value and California Bearing Ratio, in that order. Moreover, leachate samples prepared with artificial seawater were assessed via the Crassostrea gigas embryotoxicity test and Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition test to discriminate the presence of potential ecotoxicological effects for the brackish and saltwater biota.

Results

Outcomes from all leachate samples highlighted the effectiveness of the remediation treatment, fully complying with the Italian legislation for non-hazardous material reuse under a physicochemical viewpoint. The stabilized granular material demonstrated high mechanical strength, low porosity, and leachability. Moreover, ecotoxicological surveys indicated the presence of low toxicity levels in leachate samples according to both toxicity tests.

Discussion

Remediated soil samples revealed a significant decrease in leachability of heavy metals as a consequence of the application of additivated cement that enhanced granular material properties, resulting in improved compactness due to the reduction in water content. The toxicity data confirmed this state-of-the-art technique, indicating that leachates could be deemed as minor acutely toxic.

Conclusions

The proposed S/S treatment proved to be able to remediate soil contaminated by heavy metals through trapping pollutants in pellet materials presenting adequate physicochemical, mechanical, and ecotoxicological properties in order to prevent leachability phenomena, their reclamation, and reuse being made easier by its granular form.

Recommendation and perspectives

This project foresees long-term monitoring activity over several years (until 2014) to consider treatment durability.     

Permeability and Retention to Water and Leachate of a Compacted Soil Used as Liner

In many developing countries, a landfill remains one of the most extensively employed solid waste disposal solutions. Although a landfill is a well-designed engineering system, the base lining of a landfill may perform poorly and allow the leachate to reach the underlying soil layers and groundwater. Leachates contain a variety of toxic and hazardous contaminants, which are attenuated in the soil by various processes that slow or transform them. Thus, the objective of this research was to study the water and leachate permeability and retention of the liner soil in a landfill experimental cell by subjecting it to geotechnical, chemical-mineralogical, and physicochemical characterizations, water and leachate permeability tests, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). In addition, the water and leachate retention curves were determined and analyzed using RETention Curve (RETC) software to obtain the unsaturated permeability curves. The leachate in the soil decreased the suction considering the moisture content of the compacted soil in the field, which consequently increased the leachate permeability of the mineral liner. For the same suction value, in the drying pathways, the soil retained a greater amount of distilled water than leachate. In the wetting pathways, the opposite occurred. Microorganisms were detected in the soil during the filter paper test. The permeability coefficients of the unsaturated soil were directly proportional to the gravimetric moisture content for the water and the leachate, which demonstrated that the soil presents lower unsaturated permeability coefficients for water than for leachate for the same water content.     

Radioactive contamination as a type of soil degradation

Radioactive contamination of soils is considered as a separate type of degradation decreasing their fertility. Natural soil radioactivity is described. The main sources of technogenic radionuclides for the soil cover (global radionuclide fallout after nuclear weapons tests, the operation of nuclear facilities, radioactive waste) were shown. The phytomelioration of soils containing radionuclides was assessed. Issues were analyzed related to the remediation of agricultural soils after radiation accidents associated with the release of radionuclides into the environment: the discharge of radionuclides into the Techa River (1949–1953) and the Kyshtym (Southern Urals, 1957), Windscale (United Kingdom, 1957), and Chernobyl (Ukraine, 1986) accidents. The hazard of radioactive contamination of the soil-plant cover was assessed from two viewpoints: the anthropocentric (sanitary-hygienic) principle, when the degree of radioactive contamination of agricultural crops and the conformity of their radionuclide content to radiological standards are taken into account (maximum permissible concentrations of radionuclides), on the one hand, and the ecocentric (biospheric, environmental) approach, when the consequences of the irradiation of soil biota and living terrestrial organisms caused by radionuclides present in the soils are taken into account (conformity to the radiation standards and permissible radiation doses), on the other hand. For some technogenic radionuclides, the use of these principles for assessing the hazard of radioactive contamination of the soil was exemplified, which is of importance for determining the rehabilitation strategy of agricultural lands contaminated with radionuclides.