Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Insight of soil amelioration process of bauxite residues amended with organic materials from different sources

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It aimed to investigate and evaluate the soil amelioration process of bauxite residues with the amendments of organic materials from different sources. Wheat straw, poultry manure compost, and biosolids were chosen as the added organic materials. A series of essential soil properties were analyzed to evaluate the effects of organic materials on the soil amelioration of bauxite residue. The results indicated that organic amendments could obviously improve the texture of bauxite residues by increasing large aggregates contents, and elevating its organic matter content and fertility level (such as TN and TP). At the same time, organic additions were effective in reducing bauxite residues’ salinity as pH, electrical conductivity and sodium content were obviously decreased in all rehabilitated treatments in comparison with control treatment. These improvements created sufficient conditions for a quick recovery of microbial communities in bauxite residues matrix. The maximum microbial biomass C increased to 0.642 g-C·kg−1, and the activities of urease, catalase, and invertase were massively elevated, especially for those after a year of rehabilitation, although alkali-phosphatase was kept a less level compared with other biological parameters. The further principal analysis and cluster analysis indicated that after 1 year of organic amendment, the improved bauxite residues matrix was very close to the reference soil based on the measured soil microbial properties. All the results suggested that organic amendment is an effective way to stimulate the soil amelioration of bauxite residues, and among the three amended organic materials, wheat straw and biosolid were better in improving the abiotic environmental conditions as well as biotic function recovery in soil amelioration of bauxite residue.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Banning NC, Gleeson DB, Grigg AH, Grant CD, Anderson GL, Brodie EL, Murphy DV (2011a) Soil microbial community successional patterns during forest ecosystem restoration. Appl Environ Microbiol 77:6158–6164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banning NC, Phillips IR, Jones DL, Murphy DV (2011b) Development of microbial diversity and functional potential in bauxite residue sand under rehabilitation. Restor Ecol 19:78–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bray AW, Stewart DI, Courtney R, Rout SP, Humphreys PN, Mayes WM (2018) Sustained bauxite residue rehabilitation with gypsum and organic matter 16 years after initial treatment. Environ Sci Technol 52:152–161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Courtney R, Mullen G, Harrington T (2009) An evaluation of revegetation success on bauxite residue. Restor Ecol 17:350–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Courtney R, Harrington T, Byrne KA (2013) Indicators of soil formation in restored bauxite residues. Ecol Eng 58:63–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Courtney R, Feeney E, O’Grady A (2014a) An ecological assessment of rehabilitated bauxite residue. Ecol Eng 73:373–379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Courtney R, Harris JA, Pawlett M (2014b) Microbial community composition in a rehabilitated bauxite residue disposal area: a case study for improving microbial community composition. Restor Ecol 22(6):798–805

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doran JW, Sarrantonio M, Liebig MA (1996) Soil health and sustainability. Adv Agron 56:1–54

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer D and Glaser B (2012) Synergisms between compost and biochar for sustainable soil amelioration. In: Kumar S, Bharti A (Eds.) Management of Organic Waste. InTech, pp 167–198

  • Haynes RJ, Goh KM (1978) Evaluation of potting media for commercial production of container-grown plants. IV. Physical properties of a range of peat-based media. New Zeal J Agr Res 21:449–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haynes R & Zhou YF (2019) Natural ripening with subsequent additions of gypsum and organic matter is key to successful bauxite residue revegetation[J]. J Central South University 26(2):289–303

  • Johnson JL, Temple KL (1964) Some variables affecting the measurement of catalase activity in soil. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 28:207–216

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jones BEH, Haynes RJ (2011) Bauxite processing residue: a critical review of its formation, properties, storage, and revegetation. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 41:271–315

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jones BEH, Haynes RJ, Philips IR (2010) Effect of amendment of bauxite processing sand with organic materials on its chemical, physical and microbial properties. J Environ Manag 91:2281–2288

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jones BEH, Haynes RJ, Phillips IR (2012) Addition of an organic amendment and/or residue mud to bauxite residue sand in order to improve its properties as a growth medium. J Environ Manag 95:29–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong XF, Tian T, Xue SG, Hartley W, Huang LB, Wu C, Li CX (2019) Development of alkaline electrochemical characteristics demonstrates soil formation in bauxite residue undergoing natural rehabilitation. Land Degrad Dev 29:58–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu W, Chen X, Li W, Yu Y, Yan K (2014) Environmental assessment, management and utilization of red mud in China. J Clean Prod 84(1):606–610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu RK (ed) (1999) Analytical methods of soil agrochemistry (in Chinese). China agricultural science and technology press, Beijing

  • Mummey DL, Stahl PD, Buyer JS (2002) Microbial biomarkers as an indicator of ecosystem recovery following surface mine reclamation. Appl Soil Ecol 21:251–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Power G, Gräfe M, Klauber C (2011) Bauxite residue issues: I. Current management, disposal and storage practices. Hydrometallurgy 108(1):33–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rietz DN, Haynes RJ (2003) Effects of irrigation-induced salinity and sodicity on soil microbial activity. Soil Biol Biochem 35(6):845–854

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Santini TC, Kerr JL, Warren LA (2015) Microbially-driven strategies for bioremediation of bauxite residue. J Hazard Mater 293:131–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Santini TC, MalcolmL I, TysonG W, Warren LA (2016) pH and organic carbon dose rates control microbially driven bioremediation efficacy in alkaline bauxite residue. Environ Sci Technol 50:11164–11173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmalenberger A, Osullivan O, Gahan J, Cotter PD, Courtney R (2013) Bacterial communities established in bauxite residues with different restoration histories. Environ Sci Technol 47:7110–7119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sommers LE, Nelson DW (1972) Determination of total phosphorus in soils: a rapid perchloric acid digestion procedure. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 36:902–904

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas GW, (1982) Exchangeable cations. In: Page AL et al (eds) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. 2nd ed. Agron. Monogr. 9. ASA and SSSA, Madison, pp 159–166

  • Vance ED, Brookes PC, Jenkinson DS (1987) An extraction method for measuring microbial biomass C. Soil Biol Biochem 19:703–707

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Sun X, Li S, Zhang T, Zhang W, Zhai P (2014) Application of organic amendments to a coastal saline soil in North China: effects on soil physical and chemical properties and tree growth. PLoS One 9:e89185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong VNL, Greene RSB, Dalal RC, Murphy BW (2010) Soil carbon dynamics in saline and sodic soils: a review. Soil Use Manag 26(1):2–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xue SG, Zhu F, Kong XF, Wu C, Huang L, Huang N et al (2016) A review of the characterization and revegetation of bauxite residues (red mud). Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:1120–1132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xue SG, Li M, Jiang J, Millar GJ, Li CX, Kong XF (2019) Phosphogypsum stabilization of bauxite residue: conversion of its alkaline characteristics. J Environ Sci 77:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao XH, Min H, Lü ZhH, Yuan HP (2006) Influence of acetamiprid on soil enzymatic activities and respiration. European J Soil Biolog 42(2):120–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu X, Li W, Guan X (2015) An active de-alkalization of red mud with roasting and water leaching. J Hazard Mater 286:85–91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu F, Zhou JY, Xue SG, Hartley W, Wu C, Guo Y (2016) Aging of bauxite residue in association of regeneration: a comparison of methods to determine aggregate stability & erosion resistance. Ecol Eng 92:47–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu F, Hou JT, Xue SG, Wu C, Wang QL, Hartley W (2017) Vermicompost and gypsum amendments improve aggregate formation in bauxite residue. Land Degrad Dev 28(7):2109–2120

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The study was supported by Shandong University of Technology and Zibo City Integration Development Project under Grant No. 2016ZBXC102 and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under Grant No. 41671322 and No. 41877122.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shandong University of technology, No. 266 Xincun Road, Zibo city, 255049, Shandong, China

    Yuanpeng Dong, Yifei Shao, Aiju Liu, Xijuan Liu, Mi Wu, Xinxin Hu, Qian Zhang & Zilin Meng

Authors
  1. Yuanpeng Dong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yifei Shao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Aiju Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xijuan Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mi Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xinxin Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Qian Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Zilin Meng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Aiju Liu or Zilin Meng.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dong, Y., Shao, Y., Liu, A. et al. Insight of soil amelioration process of bauxite residues amended with organic materials from different sources. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 29379–29387 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06007-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06007-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation