Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 1
Written by Mihaela COSTEA, Nicoleta-Olimpia VRÎNCEANU, Dumitru-Marian MOTELICĂ, Veronica TĂNASE, Mirela Alina SANDU, Costică CIONTU
Soil contamination with heavy metals is a major environmental challenge, particularly in industrial regions such as Copșa Mică, Romania. Past industrial emissions have resulted in substantial soil pollution, with levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) exceeding permissible limits. This study investigates the effectiveness of various bentonites and natural zeolites in reducing heavy metal mobility and bioavailability in contaminated soil. Laboratory incubation tests were conducted using six inorganic additives sourced from Romania. The additives were applied at a 3% (w/w) dosage, and their effectiveness was evaluated using single metal extraction methods with DTPA + CaCl2 + TEA (pH 7.3) and 1M NH4NO3. The results demonstrate that all amendments significantly reduced heavy metal mobility, with variations depending on the specific metal. Activated bentonite exhibited the highest efficiency in immobilizing Pb and Zn, while zeolite proved most effective for Cd stabilization. This study highlights the potential of natural zeolites and bentonites as cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions for soil remediation in heavily polluted areas.
[Read full article] [Citation]
