Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Contrasting effect of zirconium-, iron-, and zirconium/iron-modified attapulgites capping and amendment on phosphorus mobilization in sediment

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

Abstract

In this research, the sorption characteristics and mechanism of phosphate on zirconium-modified attapulgite (Zr-ATP), iron-modified attapulgite (Fe-ATP), and zirconium/iron co-modified attapulgite (Zr/Fe-ATP) prepared by a simple impregnation method were studied, and the impacts of Zr-ATP, Fe-ATP, and Zr/Fe-ATP amendment and capping on the migration of phosphorus (P) from sediments to overlying waters were investigated. The results showed that Zr-ATP and Zr/Fe-ATP possessed stronger adsorption ability for phosphate in aqueous solution than Fe-ATP. The ligand replacement of the hydroxyl group with the phosphate anion to form the inner-sphere phosphate complex played a crucial role in the adsorption process of phosphate on Zr-ATP, Fe-ATP, and Zr/Fe-ATP. Most of the phosphate ions bound by Zr-ATP and Zr/Fe-ATP were in the form of caustic soda solution-extractable inorganic P (NaOH-IP) and residual P (Res-P), and it is hard for these P species to be re-released into water under the circumstances of reducing environment and normal pH (5–9). The ratio of mobile P to total P of Fe-ATP loaded with phosphate was much higher than those of Zr-ATP and Zr/Fe-ATP loaded with phosphate, indicating that Fe-ATP-bound phosphate has a higher re-releasing risk than Zr-ATP-bound and Zr/Fe-ATP-bound phosphate. Zr-ATP, Fe-ATP, and Zr/Fe-ATP amendment all can reduce the releasing risk of P from sediments to overlying waters. The amendment of sediment with Zr-ATP and Zr/Fe-ATP can both induce the conversion of redox-sensitive P (BD-P) to NaOH-IP and Res-P in the sediment, making the phosphorus in the sediment more stable. However, the amendment of sediment with Fe-ATP can only induce the conversion of HCl-P to NaOH-IP in the sediment and had a negligible effect on the inorganic P activity in the sediment. Zr-ATP, Fe-ATP, and Zr/Fe-ATP capping all can reduce the risk of P release from sediment into the overlying water, and Zr-ATP and Zr/Fe-ATP capping had a better reduction efficiency of internal P liberation to the overlying water than Fe-ATP capping. Zr-ATP, Fe-ATP, and Zr/Fe-ATP capping all can give rise to the reduction of pore water SRP and diffusive gradient in thin-film (DGT)-labile P in the upper sediment. This is beneficial to the control of P releasing from sediment into the overlying water by the Zr-ATP, Fe-ATP, and Zr/Fe-ATP capping. The findings of this work suggest that Zr-ATP and Zr/Fe-ATP are promising active capping or amendment materials for internal P loading management in surface water bodies.

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
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article. Declarations.

References

  • Chen J, Lu S, Zhao Y, Wang W, Huang M (2011) Effects of overlying water aeration on phosphorus fractions and alkaline phosphatase activity in surface sediment. J Environ Sci 23:206–211

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Q, Chen J, Wang J, Guo J, Jin Z, Yu P, Ma Z (2019) In situ, high-resolution evidence of phosphorus release from sediments controlled by the reductive dissolution of iron-bound phosphorus in a deep reservoir, southwestern China. Sci Total Environ 666:39–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Copetti D, Finsterle K, Marziali L, Stefani F, Tartari G, Douglas G, Reitzel K, Spears BM, Winfield IJ, Crosa G, D’Haese P, Yasseri S, Lürling M (2016) Eutrophication management in surface waters using lanthanum modified bentonite: a review. Water Res 97:162–174

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delgadillo-Velasco L, Hernández-Montoya V, Rangel-Vázquez NA, Cervantes FJ, Montes-Morán MA, Moreno-Virgen MdR (2018) Screening of commercial sorbents for the removal of phosphates from water and modeling by molecular simulation. J Mol Liq 262:443–450

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ding SM, Han C, Wang YP, Yao L, Wang Y, Xu D, Sun Q, Williams PN, Zhang CS (2015) In situ, high-resolution imaging of labile phosphorus in sediments of a large eutrophic lake. Water Res 74:100–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dong S, Wang Y, Zhao Y, Zhou X, Zheng H (2017) La3+/La(OH)3 loaded magnetic cationic hydrogel composites for phosphate removal: effect of lanthanum species and mechanistic study. Water Res 126:433–441

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Espinoza-Sánchez MA, Arévalo-Niño K, Quintero-Zapata I, Castro-González I, Almaguer-Cantú V (2019): Cr(VI) adsorption from aqueous solution by fungal bioremediation based using Rhizopus sp. J Environ. Manage. 251, 109595

  • Fan Y, Li Y, Wu D, Li C, Kong H (2017) Application of zeolite/hydrous zirconia composite as a novel sediment capping material to immobilize phosphorus. Water Res 123:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Funes A, de Vicente J, Cruz-Pizarro L, Álvarez-Manzaneda I, de Vicente I (2016) Magnetic microparticles as a new tool for lake restoration: a microcosm experiment for evaluating the impact on phosphorus fluxes and sedimentary phosphorus pools. Water Res 89:366–374

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Funes A, del Arco A, Álvarez-Manzaneda I, de Vicente J, de Vicente I (2017) A microcosm experiment to determine the consequences of magnetic microparticles application on water quality and sediment phosphorus pools. Sci Total Environ 579:245–253

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs M, Özkundakci D (2011) Effects of a modified zeolite on P and N processes and fluxes across the lake sediment-water interface using core incubations. Hydrobiologia 661:21–35

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gu BW, Hong SH, Lee CG, Park SJ (2019) The feasibility of using bentonite, illite, and zeolite as capping materials to stabilize nutrients and interrupt their release from contaminated lake sediments. Chemosphere 219:217–226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huser BJ, Egemose S, Harper H, Hupfer M, Jensen H, Pilgrim KM, Reitzel K, Rydin E, Futter M (2016) Longevity and effectiveness of aluminum addition to reduce sediment phosphorus release and restore lake water quality. Water Res 97:122–132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kiani M, Tammeorg P, Niemistö J, Simojoki A, Tammeorg O (2020) Internal phosphorus loading in a small shallow lake: response after sediment removal. Sci Total Environ 725:13879

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim LH, Choi E, Stenstrom MK (2003) Sediment characteristics, phosphorus types and phosphorus release rates between river and lake sediments. Chemosphere 50:53–61

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Le Moal M, Gascuel-Odoux C, Ménesguen A, Souchon Y, Étrillard C, Levain A, Moatar F, Pannard A, Souchu P, Lefebvre A, Pinay G (2019) Eutrophication: a new wine in an old bottle? Sci Total Environ 651:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li H, Yang G, Ma J, Wei Y, Kang L, He Y, He Q (2019) The role of turbulence in internal phosphorus release: turbulence intensity matters. Environ Pollut 252:84–93

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li RH, Wang JJ, Zhou BY, Awasthi MK, Ali A, Zhang ZQ, Gaston LA, Lahori AH, Mahar A (2016) Enhancing phosphate adsorption by Mg/Al layered double hydroxide functionalized biochar with different Mg/Al ratios. Sci Total Environ 559:121–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang Y-g, Xu L, Bao J, Firmin KA, Zong W (2020) Attapulgite enhances methane production from anaerobic digestion of pig slurry by changing enzyme activities and microbial community. Renew Energ 145:222–232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin J, He S, Zhan Y, Zhang Z, Wu X, Yu Y, Zhao Y, Wang Y (2019a) Assessment of sediment capping with zirconium-modified bentonite to intercept phosphorus release from sediments. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:3501–3516

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin J, Wang X, Zhan Y (2019b) Effect of precipitation pH and coexisting magnesium ion on phosphate adsorption onto hydrous zirconium oxide. J Environ Sci 76:167–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin J, Wang Y, Zhan Y, Zhang Z (2019) Magnetite-modified activated carbon based capping and mixing technology for sedimentary phosphorus release control. J Environ Manage 248:109287

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin J, Yu Y, Zhan Y, Liang S, Zhang Z, He S (2020a) Utilization of zirconium-modified granular zeolite as capping and mixing materials to suppress phosphorus release from sediment in landscape water body. Environ Earth Sci 79:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin J, Zhao Y, Zhan Y, Wang Y (2020b) Influence of coexisting calcium and magnesium ions on phosphate adsorption onto hydrous iron oxide. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27:11303–11319

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin JW, Wang H, Zhan YH, Zhang Z (2016) Evaluation of sediment amendment with zirconium-reacted bentonite to control phosphorus release. Environ Earth Sci 75:942–958

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin JW, Zhan YH, Wang H, Chu M, Wang CF, He Y, Wang XX (2017) Effect of calcium ion on phosphate adsorption onto hydrous zirconium oxide. Chem Eng J 309:118–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin JW, He SQ, Zhang HH, Zhan YH, Zhang ZB (2019d) Effect of zirconium-modified zeolite addition on phosphorus mobilization in sediments. Sci Total Environ 646:144–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin S-S, Shen S-L, Zhou A, Lyu H-M (2021) Assessment and management of lake eutrophication: a case study in Lake Erhai China. Sci Total Environ 751:141618

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma SN, Wang HJ, Wang HZ, Li Y, Liu M, Liang XM, Yu Q, Jeppesen E, Søndergaard M (2018) High ammonium loading can increase alkaline phosphatase activity and promote sediment phosphorus release: a two-month mesocosm experiment. Water Res 145:388–397

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mallet M, Barthelemy K, Ruby C, Renard A, Naille S (2013) Investigation of phosphate adsorption onto ferrihydrite by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. J Colloid Interface Sci 407:95–101

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meis S, Spears BM, Maberly SC, O’Malley MB, Perkins RG (2012) Sediment amendment with Phoslock® in Clatto Reservoir (Dundee, UK): investigating changes in sediment elemental composition and phosphorus fractionation. J Environ Manage 93:185–193

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meis S, Spears BM, Maberly SC, Perkins RG (2013) Assessing the mode of action of Phoslock® in the control of phosphorus release from the bed sediments in a shallow lake (Loch Flemington, UK). Water Res 47:4460–4473

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ni ZK, Wang SR, Cai JJ, Li H, Jenkins A, Maberly SC, May L (2019): The potential role of sediment organic phosphorus in algal growth in a low nutrient lake. Environ. Pollut. 255

  • Pan F, Guo Z, Cai Y, Fu Y, Wu J, Wang B, Liu H, Gao A (2020) Cyclical patterns and (im)mobilization mechanisms of phosphorus in sediments from a small creek estuary: evidence from in situ monthly sampling and indoor experiments. Water Res 171:115479

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qin B, Zhou J, Elser JJ, Gardner WS, Deng J, Brookes JD (2020) Water depth underpins the relative roles and fates of nitrogen and phosphorus in lakes. Environ Sci Technol 54:3191–3198

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith VH, Tilman GD, Nekola JC (1999) Eutrophication: impacts of excess nutrient inputs on freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. Environ Pollut 100:179–196

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sonoda A, Makita Y, Sugiura Y, Ogata A, Suh C, Lee J-h, Ooi K (2020) Influence of coexisting calcium ions during on-column phosphate adsorption and desorption with granular ferric oxide. Sep Purif Technol 249:117143

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Su Y, Cui H, Li Q, Gao SA, Shang JK (2013) Strong adsorption of phosphate by amorphous zirconium oxide nanoparticles. Water Res 47:5018–5026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tran HN, You S-J, Hosseini-Bandegharaei A, Chao H-P (2017) Mistakes and inconsistencies regarding adsorption of contaminants from aqueous solutions: a critical review. Water Res 120:88–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang C, Gao S, Pei Y, Zhao Y (2013a) Use of drinking water treatment residuals to control the internal phosphorus loading from lake sediments: laboratory scale investigation. Chem Eng J 225:93–99

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang CH, Qi Y, Pei YS (2012) Laboratory investigation of phosphorus immobilization in lake sediments using water treatment residuals. Chem Eng J 209:379–385

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang CH, Liang JC, Pei YS, Wendling LA (2013b) A method for determining the treatment dosage of drinking water treatment residuals for effective phosphorus immobilization in sediments. Ecol Eng 60:421–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang CH, Bai LL, Jiang HL, Xu HC (2016) Algal bloom sedimentation induces variable control of lake eutrophication by phosphorus inactivating agents. Sci Total Environ 557–558:479–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang CH, He R, Wu Y, Lürling M, Cai HY, Jiang HL, Liu X (2017a) Bioavailable phosphorus (P) reduction is less than mobile P immobilization in lake sediment for eutrophication control by inactivating agents. Water Res 109:196–206

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Chen J, Chen Q, Yang H, Zeng Y, Yu P, Jin Z (2019) Assessment on the effects of aluminum-modified clay in inactivating internal phosphorus in deep eutrophic reservoirs. Chemosphere 215:657–667

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Q, Liao Z, Yao D, Yang Z, Wu Y, Tang C (2021) Phosphorus immobilization in water and sediment using iron-based materials: a review. Sci Total Environ 767:144246

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z, Lu S, Wu D, Chen F (2017b) Control of internal phosphorus loading in eutrophic lakes using lanthanum-modified zeolite. Chem Eng J 327:505–513

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wen S, Zhong J, Li X, Liu C, Yin H, Li D, Ding S, Fan C (2020) Does external phosphorus loading diminish the effect of sediment dredging on internal phosphorus loading? An in-situ simulation study. J Hazard Mater 394:122548

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu D, Ding S, Sun Q, Zhong J, Wu W, Jia F (2012) Evaluation of in situ capping with clean soils to control phosphate release from sediments. Sci Total Environ 438:334–341

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu L, Liu Y, Wang J, Tang Y, Zhang Z (2021) Selective adsorption of Pb2+ and Cu2+ on amino-modified attapulgite: kinetic, thermal dynamic and DFT studies. J Hazard Mater 404:124140

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamada TM, Sueitt APE, Beraldo DAS, Botta CMR, Fadini PS, Nascimento MRL, Faria BM, Mozeto AA (2012) Calcium nitrate addition to control the internal load of phosphorus from sediments of a tropical eutrophic reservoir: microcosm experiments. Water Res 46:6463–6475

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang MJ, Lin JW, Zhan YH, Zhang HH (2014) Adsorption of phosphate from water on lake sediments amended with zirconium-modified zeolites in batch mode. Ecol Eng 71:223–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Q, Wang X, Luo W, Sun J, Xu Q, Chen F, Zhao J, Wang S, Yao F, Wang D, Li X, Zeng G (2018) Effectiveness and mechanisms of phosphate adsorption on iron-modified biochars derived from waste activated sludge. Biores Technol 247:537–544

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao WS, Millero FJ (1996) Adsorption of phosphate on manganese dioxide in seawater. Environ Sci Technol 30:536–541

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yin H, Kong M, Gu X, Chen H (2017) Removal of arsenic from water by porous charred granulated attapulgite-supported hydrated iron oxide in bath and column modes. J Clean Prod 166:88–97

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yin H, Ren C, Li W (2018) Introducing hydrate aluminum into porous thermally-treated calcium-rich attapulgite to enhance its phosphorus sorption capacity for sediment internal loading management. Chem Eng J 348:704–712

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yin H, Yang P, Kong M, Li W (2020) Use of lanthanum/aluminum co-modified granulated attapulgite clay as a novel phosphorus (P) sorbent to immobilize P and stabilize surface sediment in shallow eutrophic lakes. Chem Eng J 385:123395

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu C, Li Z, Xu Z, Yang Z (2020) Lake recovery from eutrophication: quantitative response of trophic states to anthropogenic influences. Ecol Eng 143:105697

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu X, Grace MR, Sun G, Zou Y (2018) Application of ferrihydrite and calcite as composite sediment capping materials in a eutrophic lake. J Soils Sediments 18:1185–1193

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zamparas M, Zacharias I (2014) Restoration of eutrophic freshwater by managing internal nutrient loads. A Review Sci Total Environ 496:551–562

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng M, Yang B, Guan Z, Zeng L, Luo H, Deng B (2021) The selective adsorption of xanthan gum on dolomite and its implication in the flotation separation of dolomite from apatite. Appl Surf Sci 551:149301

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhan Y, Yu Y, Lin J (2019): Impact of application mode on the control of phosphorus release from sediments using zirconium-modified bentonite as geo-engineering material. Sci. Total Environ., 135633

  • Zhang G, He Z, Xu W (2012) A low-cost and high efficient zirconium-modified-Na-attapulgite adsorbent for fluoride removal from aqueous solutions. Chem Eng J 183:315–324

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou J, Li D, Zhao Z, Song X, Huang Y, Yang J (2020) Phosphorus immobilization by the surface sediments under the capping with new calcium peroxide material. J Clean Prod 247:119135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zou Y, Grace MR, Roberts KL, Yu X (2017) Thin ferrihydrite sediment capping sequestrates phosphorus experiencing redox conditions in a shallow temperate lacustrine wetland. Chemosphere 185:673–680

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was jointly supported by the Shandong Key Scientific and Technical Innovation Project (Grant No. 2018YFJH0902), National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51408354 and 50908142), Shanghai Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 15ZR1420700), and Scientific Research Project of Shanghai Science and Technology Committee (Grant No. 10230502900).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China

    Niuniu Liu, Wanyan Chen, Jianwei Lin & Yanhui Zhan

Authors
  1. Niuniu Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wanyan Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jianwei Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yanhui Zhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Niuniu Liu: data curation, writing – original draft, investigation; Wanyan Chen: investigation; Jianwei Lin: formal analysis, methodology, writing – original draft, software, conceptualization, funding acquisition, writing – review and editing; Yanhui Zhan: software, validation, project administration, resources.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jianwei Lin.

Additional information

Communicated by Philippe Garrigues

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

Liu, N., Chen, W., Lin, J. et al. Contrasting effect of zirconium-, iron-, and zirconium/iron-modified attapulgites capping and amendment on phosphorus mobilization in sediment. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 18508–18526 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16979-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16979-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation