In-Situ Immobilization of Cadmium and Lead by Different Amendments in Two Contaminated Soils

Different soil amendments, including 1% zeolite, 1% bentonite,5% Penghu soil (PHS), 5% Penghu soil + 1% manganese oxide (PHS + MO), 1% MO, and 1.5% silicate slag (SS), were used to immobilize Cd and Pb in two contaminated soils evaluated by single and sequential extractions and by uptake of Chinese cabbage (Brassica Chinensis L.). Results indicated that the PHS and MO significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the 0.1 M HCl extractable Cd and Pb in the two contaminated soils. Allamendment treatments did not change the organic and residual amounts of Cd and Pb in soils A and B, but the PHS andPHS + MOtreatments significantly reduced the exchangeable amounts of Cdand Pb in the two soils as measured by sequential extraction. Thecombination of PHS and MO amendments was associated with ahigh pH value and negative soil surface charge showed the best immobilizing efficiency of Cd and Pb in this study. All soil amendments investigated did not increase the dry matter weight of the plant, and most of them decreased the uptake of Cd and Pb, especially for the PHS and MO. The PHS and MO treatments reduced the extractability of Cd and Pb in two soils and theiruptake by the plant, but only the Pb content in Chinese cabbagefrom the amended soils was less than the background levels of heavy metals in leaf vegetables of Taiwan.     

Digestion Methods for Total Heavy Metals in Sediments and Soils

The objectives of this study were to analyze the total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the freshwater sediments and the arable and non-arable soils of Taiwan, and to compare the different digestion methods for their determination. Two hundred and thirty-nine freshwater sediments were collected from the Fei-Tsui Reservoir Watershed (FTRW) in northern Taiwan. Forty-two surface (0–15 cm) and subsurface (15–30 cm) soil samples were likewise collected from 21 representative arable soils derived from various parent materials and with varying weathered degrees in different regions of Taiwan. In addition, one hundred and ninety-four non-arable soils were collected from the different forest regions, industrial parks, resident areas, and commercial areas. Several digestion methods including the aquaregia and different combinations of concentrated acids (HClO₄, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, or HF) were compared. All samples were digested both by the aqua regia method and the Baker and Amacher method for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The Reisenauer method was used for Cr and the Burau method for Pb further. The results indicate that the best digestion methods to analyze the total contents of heavy metals in the sediments and soils were recommended as follows: the Baker and Amacher method for Cd, Cr,Cu, Ni, and Zn; the Reisenauer method for Cr, but for simplicity the Baker and Amacher method is also recommended as the flexible method for the total analysis of Cr; the aqua regia method for Cu, Ni, and Zn; and the Burau method for Pb.