Enhanced heavy metal immobilization in soil by grinding with addition of nanometallic Ca/CaO dispersion mixture

This study investigated the use of a nanometallic Ca and CaO dispersion mixture for the immobilization of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr and Pb) in contaminated soil. Simple grinding achieved 85–90% heavy metal immobilization, but it can be enhanced further to 98–100% by addition of a nanometallic Ca/CaO dispersion mixture produced by grinding. Observations using SEM-EDS elemental maps and semi-quantitative analysis showed that the amounts of As, Cd, Cr, and Pb measurable on the soil particle surface decrease after nanometallic Ca/CaO treatment. The leachable heavy metal concentrations were reduced after nanometallic Ca/CaO treatment to concentrations lower than the Japan soil elution standard regulatory threshold: <0.01 mg L−1 for As, Cd, and Pb; and 0.05 mg L−1 for Cr. Effects of soil moisture and pH on heavy metal immobilization were not strongly influenced. The most probable mechanisms for the enhancement of heavy metal immobilization capacity with nanometallic Ca/CaO treatment might be due to adsorption and entrapment of heavy metals into newly formed aggregates, thereby prompting aggregation of soil particles and enclosure/binding with Ca/CaO-associated immobile salts. Results suggest that the nanometallic Ca/CaO mixture is suitable for use in immobilization of heavy-metal-contaminated soil under normal moisture conditions.

► Heavy metal immobilization method in soil was developed with nanometallic Ca/CaO.
► Ninety-eight percent of As,Cd,Cr,Pb immobilization was done by grinding with nanometallic Ca/CaO.
► By SEM analysis the amount of metals detectable on soil particle surface decreases.
► Leachable metals concentrations reduced, lower than the standard regulatory limit.