Testing amendments for remediation of military range contaminated soil

Military range soils are often strongly contaminated with metals. Information on the effectiveness of remediation of these soils is scarce. We tested the effectiveness of compost and mineral treatments for remediation and revegetation of military range soil collected in Aberdeen, MD. The soil was barren due to zinc (Zn) phytotoxicity while lead (Pb) posed a substantial risk to soil biota, wildlife and humans through various pathways. Seven treatments were tested: untreated control, agricultural NPK fertilization, high phosphate fertilization plus agricultural rates of NK, CaCO3, “Orgro” biosolid compost, “Orgro” + CaCO3, “Orgro” + CaCO3 + Mn sulfate. All compost treatments alleviated Zn phytotoxicity to tall fescue; however compost combined with liming reduced plant Zn content up to 158–162 mg kg−1. Compost added with lime reduced Pb in-vitro bioaccessibility from 32.5 to 20.4% of total Pb and was the most effective among the tested treatments. The study revealed the effectiveness of biosolids compost and lime mixture in the rapid stabilization of metals and revegetation of military range contaminated soils. The persistence of the remediation needs to be, however, confirmed in the long-term field study.

► We tested phytostabilisation treatments for military range contaminated soil.
► Compost combined with liming was the most effective phytostabilisation method.
► Compost reduced Zn phytotoxicity and Pb bioaccessibility.
► Remediation effect was not a simple pH effect.
► Liming as a single treatment was not an effective stabilization treatment.