Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Simultaneous immobilization of metals and arsenic in acidic polluted soils near a copper smelter in central Chile

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

Abstract

Introduction

Acidic and metal(oid)-rich topsoils resulted after 34 years of continuous operations of a copper smelter in the Puchuncaví valley, central Chile. Currently, large-scale remediation actions for simultaneous in situ immobilization of metals and As are needed to reduce environmental risks of polluted soils. Aided phytostabilization is a cost-effective alternative, but adequate local available soil amendments have to be identified and management options have to be defined.

Materials and methods

Efficacy of seashell grit (SG), biosolids (B), natural zeolite (Z), and iron-activated zeolite (AZ), either alone or in mixtures, was evaluated for reducing metal (Cu and Zn) and As solubilization in polluted soils under laboratory conditions. Perennial ryegrass was used to test phytotoxicity of experimental substrates.

Results

Soil neutralization to a pH of 6.5 with SG, with or without incorporation of AZ, significantly reduces metal (Cu and Zn) solubilization without affecting As solubilization in soil pore water; furthermore, it eliminates phytotoxicity and excessive metal(oid) accumulation in aerial plant tissues. Addition of B or Z to SG-amended soil does not further reduce metal solubilization into soil pore water, but increase As solubilization due to excessive soil neutralization (pH > 6.5); however, no significant As increase occurs in aerial plant tissues.

Conclusion

Simultaneous in situ immobilization of metal(oid) in acidic topsoils is possible through aided phytostabilization.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

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

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Adriano DC (2001) Trace elements in terrestrial environments. Biogeochemistry, bioavailability, and risk of metals. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Arienzo M, Adamo P, Cozzolino V (2004) The potential of Lolium perenne for revegetation of contaminated soil from a metallurgical site. Sci Total Environ 319:13–25

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arshad MA (2008) Soil salinity and salinization. In: Chesworth W (ed) Encyclopedia of soil science. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 699–704

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Berti WWR, Cunningham SD (2000) Phytostabilization of metals. In: Raskin I, Ensley BD (eds) Phytoremediation of toxic metals—using plants to clean up the environment. Wiley, New York, pp 71–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Bes C, Mench M (2008) Remediation of copper-contaminated topsoils from a wood treatment facility using in situ stabilisation. Environ Pollut 156:1128–1138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonnin D (2000) Method of removing arsenic species from an aqueous medium using modified zeolite minerals. United States Patent. 10p

  • Bourg ACM (1995) Speciation of heavy metals in soils and groundwater and implications for their natural and provoked mobility. In: Salomons W, Forstner U, Mader P (eds) Heavy metals. Problems and solutions. Springer, Berlin, pp 19–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown S, Henry CL, Chaney R, Compton H, De Volder P (2003) Using municipal biosolids in combination with other residuals to restore metal- contaminated mining areas. Plant Soil 249:203–215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Draper NR, Smith H (1988) Applied regression analysis. John Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • ECUS (1996) Trace metal distributions in soils of the Puchuncaví Valley near the Ventanas Copper Smelter, Region V, Chile. Technical Report. ECUS, Sheffield

    Google Scholar 

  • Environmental Resources Management (1993) Environmental project. Ventanas region, Chile. Vol. 1: final report. Environmental Resources Limited, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Friesl W, Friedl J, Platzer K, Horak O, Gerzabek MH (2006) Remediation of contaminated agricultural soils near a former Pb/Zn smelter in Austria: batch, pot and field experiment. Environ Pollut 144:40–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ginocchio R (1994) Morfología dinámica: ¿una estrategia de adquisición de nutrientes en plantas herbáceas perennes? Rev Chil Hist Nat 67:121–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginocchio R (2000) Effects of a copper smelter on a grassland community in the Puchuncavi valley, Chile. Chemosphere 41:15–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ginocchio R, Rodríguez PH, Badilla-Ohlbaum R, Allen HE, Lagos GE (2002) Effect of soil copper content and pH on copper uptake of selected vegetables grown under controlled conditions. Environ Toxicol Chem 21:117–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ginocchio R, Carvallo G, Toro I, Bustamante E, Silva Y, Sepulveda N (2004) Microspatial variation of soil metal pollution and plant recruitment near a copper smelter in central Chile. Environ Pollut 127:343–352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ginocchio R, Sánchez P, de la Fuente LM, Camus I, Bustamante E, Silva Y, Urrestarazu P, Torres JC, Rodríguez PH (2006) Agricultural soils spiked with copper mine wastes and copper concentrate: implications for copper bioavailability and bioaccumulation. Environ Toxicol Chem 25:712–718

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ginocchio R, de la Fuente LM, Sánchez P, Bustamante E, Silva Y, Urrestarazu P, Rodríguez PH (2009) Soil acidification as a confounding factor on metal phytotoxicity in soils spiked with copper-rich mine wastes. Environ Toxicol Chem 28:2069–2081

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goecke P, Ginocchio R, Mench M, Neaman A (2011) The effect of amendments on development of Lolium perenne in soils affected by copper mining activities. Int J Phytoremediation 13:552–566

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • González I, Muena V, Cisternas M, Neaman A (2008) Acumulación de cobre en una comunidad vegetal afectada por contaminación minera en el valle de Puchuncaví, Chile central. Rev Chil Hist Nat 81:279–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Haering KC, Daniels WL, Feagley SE (2000) Reclaiming mined land with biosolids, manures and papermill sludge. In: Barnhisel RI et al (eds) Reclamation of drastically disturbed lands. Monograph #41. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, pp 615–644

    Google Scholar 

  • Janos P, Vávrová J, Herzogová L, Pilarová V (2010) Effects of inorganic and organic amendments on the mobility (leachability) of heavy metals in contaminated soil: a sequential extraction study. Geoderma 159:335–341

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jongman RHG, Ter Braak CJF, Van Tongeren OFR (1995) Data analysis in community and landscape ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kabata-Pendias A, Pendias H (1992) Trace elements in soils and plants. CRC, Ann. Arbor

    Google Scholar 

  • Keith LH (1996) Compilation of EPA’s sampling and analysis methods, 2nd edn. Lewis, Boca Raton

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Klute A (1986) Methods of soil analysis. Physical and mineralogical methods, vol. 1. American Society of Agronomy, Wisconsin

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumpiene J, Ore S, Renella G, Mench M, Lagerkvist A, Maurice C (2006) Assessment of zerovalent iron for stabilization of chromium, copper, and arsenic in soil. Environ Pollut 144:62–69

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpiene J, Lagerkvist A, Maurice C (2008) Stabilization of As, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils using amendments. A review. Waste Manag 28:215–225

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee SH, Kim EY, Park H, Yun J, Kim JG (2011) In situ stabilization of arsenic and metal-contaminated agricultural soil using industrial by-products. Geoderma 161:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lock K, Waegeneers N, Smolders E, Criel P, Van Eeckhout H, Janssen CR (2006) Effect of leaching and aging on the bioavailability of lead to the springtail Folsomia candida. Environ Toxicol Chem 25:2006–2010

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lombi E, Hamon RE, McGrath SP, McLaughlin MJ (2003) Lability of Cd, Cu, and Zn in polluted soils treated with lime, beringite, and red mud and identification of a nonlabile colloidal fraction of metals using isotopic techniques. Environ Sci Technol 37:979–984

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lombi E, Hamon RE, Wieshammer G, McLaughlin MJ, McGrath SP (2004) Assessment of the use of industrial by-products to remediate a copper- and arsenic-contaminated soil. J Environ Qual 33:902–910

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lopareva-Pohu A, Verdin A, Garçon G, Lounes-Hadj Sahraoui A, Pourrut B, Debiane D, Waterlot C, Laruelle F, Bidar G, Douay F, Shirali P (2011) Influence of fly ash aided phytostabilization of Pb, Cd and Zn highly contaminated soils on Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens metal transfer and physiological stress. Environ Pollut 159:1721–1729

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marcar NE (1987) Salt tolerance in the genus Lolium (ryegrass) during germination and growth. Aust J Agric Res 38:297–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mench M, Vansgrosveld J, Lepp N, Edwards R (1998) Physico-chemical aspects and efficiency of trace element immobilization by soil amendments. In: Vangronsveld J, Cunningham S (eds) Metal-contaminated soils: in situ inactivation and phytorestoration. Springer, Berlin, pp 151–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Mench M, Manceau A, Vangronsveld J, Clijster H, Mocquot B (2000) Capacity of soil amendments in lowering the phytoavailability of sludge borne zinc. Agronomie 20:383–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mench M, Vangronsveld J, Beckx C, Ruttens A (2006) Progress in assisted natural remediation of an arsenic contaminated polluted soil. Environ Pollut 144:51–61

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mench M, Lepp N, Bert V, Schwitzguébel JP, Gawronski SW, Schöder P, Vangronsveld J (2010) Success and limitations of phytotechnologies at field scale: outcomes, assessment and outlook from COST action 859. J Soils Sediments 10:1039–1070

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moirou A, Xenidis A, Paspaliaris I (2001) Stabilization of Pb, Zn, and Cd contaminated soil by means of natural zeolite. Soil Sediment Contam 10:251–267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neaman A, Reyes L, Trolard F, Bourrié G, Sauve S (2009) Copper mobility in contaminated soils of the Puchuncaví valley, central Chile. Geoderma 150:359–366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noble JC, Marshall C (1983) The population biology of plants with clonal growth. II. The nutrient strategy and modular physiology of Carex arenaria. J Ecol 71:865–877

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Onyango M, Kojima Y, Matsuda H, Ochieng A (2003) Adsorption kinetics of arsenic removal from groundwater by iron-modified zeolite. J Chem Eng Jpn 36:1516–1522

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rachou J, Gagnon C, Sauvé S (2007) Use of an ion-selective electrode for free copper measurements in low salinity and low ionic strength matrices. Environ Chem 4:90–97

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richards LA (1985) Diagnóstico y rehabilitación de suelos salinos y sódicos. Manual de Agricultura Nº 60. 6ta. Edición. Editorial Limusa, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • Rooney CP, Zhao F-J, McGrath SP (2007) Phytotoxicity of nickel in a range of European soils: influence of soil properties, Ni solubility and speciation. Environ Pollut 145:596–605

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruttens A, Colpaert JV, Mench M, Boisson J, Carleer R, Vangronsveld J (2006) Phytostabilization of a metal contaminated sandy soil. II: influence of compost and/or inorganic metal immobilizing soil amendments on metal leaching. Environ Pollut 144:533–539

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Santibáñez C, Ginocchio R, Varnero MT (2007) Evaluation of nitrate leaching from mine tailings amended with biosolids under Mediterranean type climate conditions. Soil Biol Biochem 39:1333–1340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santibáñez C, Verdugo C, Ginocchio R (2008) Phytostabilization of copper mine tailings with biosolids: implications for metal uptake and productivity of Lolium perenne. Sci Total Environ 395:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sauvé S, McBride M, Norvell W, Hendersho W (1997) Copper solubility and speciation of in situ contaminated soils: effects of copper level, pH and organic matter. Water Air Soil Pollut 100:133–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sauvé S, Hendershot W, Allen H (2000) Solid-solution partitioning of metals in contaminated soils: dependence on pH and total metal burden. Environ Sci Technol 34:1125–1131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon L (2005) Stabilization of metals in acidic mine spoil with amendments and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) growth. Environ Geochem Heal 27:289–300

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skeaff JM, Thibault Y, Hardy DJ (2011) A new method for the characterisation and quantitative speciation of base metal smelter stack particulates. Environ Monit Assess 177:165–192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stofella PJ, Kahn BA (2001) Compost utilization in horticultural cropping systems. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Stuckey JW, Neaman A, Ravella R, Komarneni S, Martínez CE (2009) Highly charged swelling mica reduces Cu bioavailability in Cu-contaminated soils. Environ Pollut 157:12–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsadilas CD, Matsi T, Barbayiannis N, Dimoyiannis D (1995) Influence of sewage sludge application on soil properties and on distribution and availability of heavy metal fractions. Comm Soil Sci Plant Anal 26:2603–2619

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. EPA (1995) Test methods for evaluating solid waste: physical/chemical methods, 3rd edn. Office of Solid Waste, The Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield, EPA 530/ SW-846

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. EPA (2007) The use of soil amendments for remediation, revitalization, and reusue. EPA 542-R-07-013. Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI). EPA/National Service Center for Environmental Publications, Cincinnati

    Google Scholar 

  • USDA (2004) Soil survey laboratory methods manual. Soil Survey Investigations Report Nº 42, version 4.0, Lincoln: National Soil Survey Center, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture

  • Verdugo C, Sánchez P, Santibáñez C, Urrestarazu P, Bustamante E, Silva Y, Gourdon D, Ginocchio R (2011) Efficacy of lime, biosolids and mycorrhiza for the phytostabilization of sulfidic copper tailings in Chile: a greenhouse experiment. Int J Phytoremediation 13:107–125

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vulkan R, Zhao F-J, Barbosa-Jefferson V, Preston S, Paton GI, Tipping E, McGrath S (2000) Copper speciation and impacts on bacterial biosensors in the pore water of copper-contaminated soils. Environ Sci Technol 34:5115–5121

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace A, Terry RE (1998) Handbook of soil conditioners. Substances that enhance the physical properties of soil. Marcel Dekker, New YorK

    Google Scholar 

  • Zar JH (1984) Biostatistical analysis. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The present study was funded by yhe FONDECYT grant project 1085005. The authors would like to thank Paola Arata of Aguas Andinas S.A., Luis Cerda of Andayem Ltda., and Eduardo Barbieri of Sociedad Contractual Minera Aceituno for providing the amendments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Valeska Cárcamo

  2. Centro de Investigación Minera y Metalúrgica, Av. Parque Antonio Rabat 6500, Vitacura, CP 7660045, Santiago, Chile

    Elena Bustamante, Elizabeth Trangolao, Luz María de la Fuente & Rosanna Ginocchio

  3. UMR BIOGECO INRA 1202, Ecologie des Communautés, Université Bordeaux 1, Bat B8 RdC Est, avenue des Facultés, Talence, Bordeaux, 33405, France

    Michel Mench

  4. Facultad de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Centro Regional de Estudios en Alimentos Saludables (CREAS), Quillota, Chile

    Alexander Neaman

Authors
  1. Valeska Cárcamo
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elena Bustamante
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elizabeth Trangolao
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Luz María de la Fuente
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Michel Mench
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Alexander Neaman
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Rosanna Ginocchio
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rosanna Ginocchio.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cárcamo, V., Bustamante, E., Trangolao, E. et al. Simultaneous immobilization of metals and arsenic in acidic polluted soils near a copper smelter in central Chile. Environ Sci Pollut Res 19, 1131–1143 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0673-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0673-3

Keywords

Profiles

  1. Alexander Neaman View author profile