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Removal of heavy metals from polluted soil using the citric acid fermentation broth: a promising washing agent

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Abstract

The citric acid fermentation broth was prepared and it was employed to washing remediation of heavy metal-polluted soil. A well-defined washing effect was obtained, the removal percentages using citric acid fermentation broth are that 48.2% for Pb, 30.6% for Cu, 43.7% for Cr, and 58.4% for Cd and higher than that using citric acid solution. The kinetics of heavy metals desorption can be described by the double constant equation and Elovich equation and is a heterogeneous diffusion process. The speciation analysis shows that the citric acid fermentation broth can effectively reduce bioavailability and environmental risk of heavy metals. Spectroscopy characteristics analysis suggests that the washing method has only a small effect on the mineral composition and does not destroy the framework of soil system. Therefore, the citric acid fermentation broth is a promising washing agent and possesses a potential practical application value in the field of remediation of soils with a good washing performance.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21367025), Program for State Ethnic Affairs Commission of the China (2014YNZ012), and Program for Construction of the Special District of Yunnan Minzu University (2016TX06).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Mineral Resources in Ethnic Regions, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China

    Hongjiao Zhang, Yuntao Gao & Huabin Xiong

  2. Joint Research Centre for International Cross-border Ethnic Regions Biomass Clean Utilization in Yunnan, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China

    Hongjiao Zhang, Yuntao Gao & Huabin Xiong

Authors
  1. Hongjiao Zhang
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  2. Yuntao Gao
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  3. Huabin Xiong
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Correspondence to Yuntao Gao.

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Responsible editor: Angeles Blanco

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Zhang, H., Gao, Y. & Xiong, H. Removal of heavy metals from polluted soil using the citric acid fermentation broth: a promising washing agent. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 9506–9514 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8660-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8660-y

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