Stabilization of Pb2+ and Cu2+ contaminated firing range soil using calcined oyster shells and waste cow bones

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2013-05, Vol.91 (9), p.1349-1354
• Main Authors: Moon, Deok Hyun, Cheong, Kyung Hoon, Khim, Jeehyeong, Wazne, Mahmoud, Hyun, Seunghun, Park, Jeong-Hun, Chang, Yoon-Young, Ok, Yong Sik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Animals; Applied sciences; Bone and Bones - chemistry; bones; Calcium Carbonate - chemistry; Cattle; copper; Copper - chemistry; Cow bone; cows; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Exact sciences and technology; Firing range soil; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ions - chemistry; leaching; lead; Lead - chemistry; Ostreidae - chemistry; Oyster shell; Pb2; Pollution; risk; shell (molluscs); soil; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Pollutants - chemistry; Stabilization
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.02.007

► Innovative treatment of contaminated soils using natural waste. ► Oyster shells and waste cow bone mixture significantly reduced Pb2+/Cu2+ leachability. ► Pb2+ and Cu2+ immobilization was associated with pozzolanic and pyromorphite phases. Pb2+ and Cu2+ contamination at army firing ranges poses serious environmental and health risks to nearby communities necessitating an immediate and prompt remedial action. In this study, a novel mixture of calcined oyster shells (COSs) and waste cow bones (WCBs) was utilized to immobilize Pb2+ and Cu2+ in army firing range soils. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated based on the Korean Standard leaching test. The treatment results showed that Pb2+ and Cu2+ immobilization in the army firing range soil was effective in significantly reducing Pb2+ and Cu2+ leachability upon the combined treatment with COS and WCB. A drastic reduction in Pb2+ (99%) and Cu2+ leachability (95%) was obtained as compared to the control sample, upon treatment with 5wt.% COS and 5wt.% WCB. The combination treatment of COS and WCB was more effective for Pb immobilization, than the treatment with COS or WCB alone. The 5wt.% COS alone treatment resulted in 95% reduction in Cu2+ leachability. The SEM-EDX results suggested that Pb2+ and Cu2+ immobilization was most probably associated with the formation of ettringite, pozzolanic reaction products and pyromorphite-like phases at the same time.