An experimental plot containing acidic soil heavily contaminated with radionuclides (mainly uranium) and heavy metals (mainly copper, zinc and cadmium) was treated by means of an in situ biotechnological method based on the activity of the indigenous microflora, mainly of some acidophilic chemolithotrophic bacteria. The pollutants were located mainly in the upper soil layers (horizon A) and considerable portions of them were present in forms susceptible to bacterial leaching. The treatment was connected with the dissolution of pollutants and their removal from the soil profile by means of water acidified with sulphuric acid to pH of about 3.5. The bacterial activity was enhanced by suitable changes of some essential environmental factors such as pH and water, oxygen and nutrient contents in the soil. The removal of pollutants was very efficient and within 24 months their residual concentrations in the soil were decreased below the relevant permissible levels. The pregnant soil effluents containing the dissolved pollutants were efficiently cleaned up by wetlands located near the experimental plot.
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Groudev, S., Spasova, I., Nicolova, M., Georgiev, P. (2008). Bioremediation In Situ of Polluted Soil in a Uranium Deposit. In: Annable, M.D., Teodorescu, M., Hlavinek, P., Diels, L. (eds) Methods and Techniques for Cleaning-up Contaminated Sites. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6875-1_2
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