Abstract
To evaluate the effect of soil particle size on heavy metals removal by washing, two soil samples were collected around a lead–zinc mining area (SM) and lead–zinc smelter (SS). The total content of Cd, Pb and Zn in SM and SS were determined. And the effect of soil particle size on Cd removal by low molecular organic acids was studied. The results showed that Cd was the main pollutant and the total content of Cd in SS can reach to 24.8 mg Kg−1. 68.4% of the total Cd in SM existed in the form of residual state, while 54.7% of the total Cd in SS was in weak acid extractable state. About 50.0% of the Cd distributed in < 2 μm soil size fraction. The washing results indicated that citric acid was a highly efficient eluent among the five low molecular weight organic acids (citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid and acetic acid). After washing, 40% and 69.6% of the total Cd in SS and SM can be removed by citric acid, respectively. While only 18.7–40.2% and 32.6–68.7% of Cd was removed from different size fractions of SM and SS, respectively. The species of Cd in soil size fractions affected the removal effect of citric acid. The citric acid can easily remove the weak acid extractable and reducible form of Cd in soil. After eluted by citric acid, the bioavailability of Cd in soil decreased markedly, and the highest decreasing rate reached 93%.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
The datasets used or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Bolan, N., Kunhikrishnan, A., Thangarajan, R., Kumpiene, J., Park, J., Makino, T., Kirkham, M. B., & Scheckel, K. (2014). Remediation of heavy metal(loid)s contaminated soils-To mobilize or to immobilize? Journal of Hazardous Materials, 266, 141–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.12.018
Buyang, S. J., Yi, Q. T., Cui, H. B., Wan, K., & Zhang, S. (2019). Distribution and adsorption of metals on different particle size fractions of sediments in a hydrodynamically disturbed canal. Science of the Total Environment, 670, 654–661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.276
Chen, H. X., Dou, J. F., & Xu, H. B. (2018). The effect of low-molecular-weight organic-acids (LMWOAs) on treatment of chromium-contaminated soils by compost-phytoremediation: Kinetics of the chromium release and fractionation. Journal of Environment Sciences, 70, 45–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2017.11.007
Cheng, S. L., Lin, Q. T., Wang, Y. P., Luo, H., Huang, Z., Fu, H., Chen, H., & Xiao, R. (2020). The removal of Cu, Ni, and Zn in industrial soil by washing with EDTA-organic acids. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 13(4), 5160–5170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2020.02.015
Chrastny, V., Vanek, A., Komarek, M., Farkaš, J., Drábek, O., Vokurková, P., & Němcová, J. (2012). Incubation of air-pollution-control residues from secondary Pb smelter in deciduous and coniferous organic soil horizons: Leachability of lead, cadmium and zinc. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 209, 40–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.12.072
Ding, S. M., Wang, Y., Zhang, L. P., Lv, Xu., Gong, M., & Zhang, C. (2016). New holder configurations for use in the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique. RSC Advances, 6(91), 88143–88156. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ra19677b
Feng, C., Zhang, S. R., Li, L. X., Wang, G., Xu, X., Li, T., & Zhong, Q. (2018). Feasibility of four wastes to remove heavy metals from contaminated soils. Journal of Environmental Management, 212, 258–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.01.030
GB 15618-2018. (2018). Soil environmental quality risk control standard for soil contamination of agricultural land. China Environmental Press.
GB 2762-2017. (2017). State criteria for food safety of China. Standards press of china.
Gluhar, S., Kaurin, A., & Lestan, D. (2020). Soil washing with biodegradable chelating agents and EDTA: Technological feasibility, remediation efficiency and environmental sustainability. Chemosphere, 257, 127226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127226
Guo, J. K., Zhang, Y., Liu, W. J., Zhao, J., Shenghui, Y., Jia, H., Zhang, C., & Li, Y. (2022). Incorporating in vitro bioaccessibility into human health risk assessment of heavy metals and metalloid (As) in soil and pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) from greenhouse vegetable production fields in a megacity in Northwest China. Food Chemistry, 373(B), 131488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131488
Hu, P. J., Yang, B. F., Dong, C. X., Chen, L., Cao, X., Zhao, J., Wu, L., Luo, Y., & Christie, P. (2014). Assessment of EDTA heap leaching of an agricultural soil highly contaminated with heavy metals. Chemosphere, 117, 532–537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.08.081
Jagadamma, S., Mayes, M. A., Steinweg, J. M., Post, W. M., Wang, G., et al. (2014). Biological and Physico-chemical Processes of Soil Organic Matter Cycling in Diverse Soils. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 50(4), 613–621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-013-0879-2
Jelusic, M., & Lestan, D. (2014). Effect of EDTA washing of metal polluted garden soils. Part I: Toxicity hazards and impact on soil properties. Science of the Total Environment, 475, 132–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.049
Kang, M. J., Yu, S., Jeon, S. W., Jung, M. C., Kwon, Y. K., Lee, P.-K., & Chae, G. (2021). Mobility of metal(loid)s in roof dusts and agricultural soils surrounding a Zn smelter: Focused on the impacts of smelter-derived fugitive dusts. Science of The Total Environment, 757, 143884. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143884
Ke, X., Zhang, F. J., Zhou, Y., Zhang, H. J., Guo, G. L., & Tian, Y. (2020). Removal of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu in smelter soil by citric acid leaching. Chemosphere, 255, 126690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126690
Kiran, R. B., & Renu, S. (2022). Effect of heavy metals: An overview. Materials Today: Proceedings, 21, 880–885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.06.278
Komínková, D., Fabbricino, M., Gurung, B., Race, M., Tritto, C., & Ponzo, A. (2018). Sequential application of soil washing and phytoremediation in the land of fires. Journal of Environmental Management, 206, 1081–1089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.11.080
Liang, Y., He, J. T., Zhang, S., & Xia, Q. (2021). Effects of exogenous organic matter on the migration of organic contaminants with different polarities in soil. International Journal of Environmental Research, 15(1), 203–214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-020-00303-z
Liu, G. N., Wang, J., Liu, X., Liu, X., Li, X., Ren, Y., Wang, J., & Dong, L. (2018). Partitioning and geochemical fractions of heavy metals from geogenic and anthropogenic sources in various soil particle size fractions. Geoderma, 312, 104–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.10.013
Luo, X. S., Yu, S., & Li, X. D. (2011). Distribution, availability, and sources of trace metals in different particle size fractions of urban soils in Hong Kong: Implications for assessing the risk to human health. Environmental Pollution, 159(5), 1317–1326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.01.013
Park, H. J., Park, H. J., Yang, H. I., Park, S.-I., Lim, S.-S., Kwak, J.-H., Lee, G.-T., Lee, S.-M., Park, M., & Choi, W.-J. (2019). Sorption of Pb in chemical and particle-size fractions of soils with different physico-chemical properties. Journal of Soil and Sediments, 19(1), 310–321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-018-1978-3
Rauret, G., López-Sánchez, J. F., Sahuquillo, A., Barahona, E., Lachica, M., Ure, A. M., Davidson, C. M., Gomez, A., Lück, D., Bacon, J., Yli-Halla, M., Muntau, H., & Quevauviller, Ph. (2000). Application of a modified BCR sequential extraction (three-step) procedure for the determination of extractable trace metal contents in a sewage sludge amended soil reference material (CRM 483), complemented by a three-year stability study of acetic acid and EDTA extractable metal content. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 2(3), 228–233. https://doi.org/10.1039/b001496f
Ren, M. Y., Ding, S. M., Shi, D., Shi, D., Zhong, Z., Cao, J., Yang, L., Tsang, D. C. W., Wang, D., Zhao, D., & Wang, Y. (2020). A new DGT technique comprised in a hybrid sensor for the simultaneous measurement of ammonium, nitrate, phosphorus and dissolved oxygen. Science of the Total Environment, 725, 138447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138447
Rout, S., Kumar, A., Ravi, P. M., & Tripathi, R. M. (2016). Understanding the solid phase chemical fractionation of uranium in soil and effect of ageing. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 317, 457–465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.05.082
Tang, J., He, J. G., Liu, T. T., Xin, X., Hu, H., et al. (2017). Removal of heavy metal from sludge by the combined application of a biodegradable biosurfactant and complexing agent in enhanced electrokinetic treatment. Chemosphere, 189, 599–608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.09.104
Torres, L. G., Lopez, R. B., & Beltran, M. (2012). Removal of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn from a highly contaminated industrial soil using surfactant enhanced soil washing. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 37–39, 30–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2011.02.003
Wang, S. L., & Mulligan, C. N. (2013). Effects of three low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) and pH on the mobilization of arsenic and heavy metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) from mine tailings. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 35(1), 111–118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-012-9461-3
Wang, Y., Ding, S. M., Ren, M. Y., Li, C., Xu, S., Sun, Q., & Xu, L. (2019). Enhanced DGT capability for measurements of multiple types of analytes using synergistic effects among different binding agents. Science of the Total Environment, 657, 446–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.016
Wuana, R. A., Okieimen, F. E., & Imborvungu, J. A. (2010). Removal of heavy metals from a contaminated soil using organic chelating acids. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 7(3), 485–496. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03326158
Xu, D. M., Fu, R. B., Tong, Y. H., Shen, D. L., & Guo, X. P. (2021). The potential environmental risk implications of heavy metals based on their geochemical and mineralogical characteristics in the size-segregated zinc smelting slags. Journal of Cleaner Production, 315, 128199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128199
Yan, Y., He, H. B., & Bai, Z. (2008). Effect of manure application on the organic C and N in brown earth and particle-size fractions. Chinese Journal of Soil Science, 4, 738–742. https://doi.org/10.19336/j.cnki.trtb.2008.04.005 in Chinese.
Yang, Q. W., Lan, C. Y., Wang, H. B., Zhuang, P., & Shu, W. S. (2006). Cadmium in soil–rice system and health risk associated with the use of untreated mining wastewater for irrigation in Lechang, China. Agricultural Water Management, 84(1–2), 147–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2006.01.005
Yang, Q. Q., Li, Z. Y., Lu, X. N., Duan, Q., Huang, L., & Bi, J. (2018). A review of soil heavy metal pollution from industrial and agricultural regions in China: Pollution and risk assessment. Science of the Total Environment, 642, 690–700. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.068
Yang, X., Liu, L. H., Tan, W. F., Liu, C., Dang, Z., & Qiu, G. (2020). Remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils by organic acid extraction and electrochemical adsorption. Environmental Pollution, 264, 114745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114745
Yin, X. Q., Gao, B., Ma, L. Q., Saha, U. K., Sun, H., & Wang, G. (2010). Colloid-facilitated Pb transport in two shooting-range soils in Florida. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 177(1–3), 620–625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.12.077
Yoo, J. C., Beiyuan, J., Wang, L., Tsang, D. C. W., Baek, K., Bolan, N. S., Ok, Y. S., & Li, X. D. (2018). A combination of ferric nitrate/EDDS-enhanced washing and sludge-derived biochar stabilization of metal-contaminated soils. Science of the Total Environment, 616, 572–582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.310
Zhan, F. D., Li, B., Jiang, M., Li, T., He, Y., Li, Y., & Wang, Y. (2019). Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and heavy metal accumulation of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] grown in a lead-zinc mine wasteland. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 21(9), 849–856. https://doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2019.1577353
Zhang, F. L., Yao, R. J., Yang, J. S., Xie, W. P., Bo, Y. C., & Zhang, X. (2018). Eluting effects of different eluents on heavy metals in greenhouse soils from coastal mudflat area. China Environmental Science, 38(11), 4218–4227. https://doi.org/10.19674/j.cnki.issn1000-6923.2018.0470 in Chinese.
Zhang, W. T., You, M., & Hu, Y. H. (2016). The distribution and accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in soil and plant from Huainan coalfield, China. Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, 35(4), 1098–1104. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.12336
Acknowledgements
This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41703106) and Natural Science Research Program of Shaanxi Province—General Project (2020JQ-719). The Shaanxi Province Science and Technology Innovation Team (2022TD-09) and the Key Industrial Chain Project of Shaanxi Province (2022ZDLNY02-02).
Funding
This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41703106) and Natural Science Research Program of Shaanxi Province—General Project (2020JQ-719). The Shaanxi Province Science and Technology Innovation Team (2022TD-09) and the Key Industrial Chain Project of Shaanxi Province (2022ZDLNY02-02).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
XR: Conceptualization, Project administration, Funding acquisition, Writing—Review and Editing. YC: Investigation, Methodology, Writing—Original draft preparation. MZ: Methodology, Software, Validation, Data curation. YX: Formal analysis. HJ: Resources. TW: Visualization. JG: Review and Editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
We declare that there are no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Ethical approval
This manuscript was only submitted on Environmental Geochemistry and Health. The authors make sure they have permissions for the use of software, questionnaires/(webs) surveys and scales in their studies (if appropriate). This research may not be misapplied to pose a threat to public health or national security. There was no animal experiment in this manuscript.
Consent to participate
Results in this manuscript were presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification or inappropriate data manipulation (including image based manipulation).
Consent for publication
All co-authors have seen and approved the manuscript and have agreed to its submissions for publication.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Ren, X., Chen, Y., Zhang, M. et al. Effect of organic acids and soil particle size on heavy metal removal from bulk soil with washing. Environ Geochem Health 45, 3187–3198 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01406-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01406-6