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Remediation by means of EDTA of an agricultural calcareous soil polluted with Pb

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Abstract

The dispersion of mine tailings affects ecosystems due to their high content of potentially toxic elements. Environmental risk increases when the soil impacted by tailings is used for agriculture; this use may result in health impacts. This study analyzes the feasibility of remediating a calcareous soil (used for maize cultivation) polluted with lead in the semiarid zone of Zimapán, México, by using EDTA as an extractant. Total geoavailable and bioaccessible concentrations in the gastric and intestinal phases were determined to evaluate lead availability and health risk. The soil was then washed with EDTA, and the geochemical fractionation (interchangeable, carbonates, Fe/Mn oxy-hydroxides, organic matter–sulfides, and residual) and impact on the mesophile bacteria and fungi/yeast populations were analyzed. The results showed total Pb concentrations up to 647 ± 3.50 mg/kg, a 46% bioaccessible fraction (297 ± 9.90 mg/kg) in the gastric phase and a 12.2% (80 ± 5 mg/kg) bioaccessible fraction in the intestinal phase, indicating a health and environmental risk. Meanwhile, the geochemical fractionation before washing showed a Pb fraction mainly consisting of Fe/Mn oxy-hydroxides (69.6%); this reducible fraction may progressively increase its bioaccessibility. Geochemical fractionation performed in the washed soil showed differences from that determined before the treatment; however, the iron and manganese fraction, at 42.4%, accounted for most of the Pb. The soil microbiology was also modified by EDTA, with an increase in aerobic bacteria and a decrease in fungi/yeast populations. Although 44% total lead removal was achieved, corresponding to a final concentration of 363.50 ± 43.50 mg/kg (below national and USEPA standards), washing with EDTA increased the soluble and interchangeable lead concentrations. Statistical analysis indicated a significant effect (p < 0.05) of EDTA on the soil’s geochemical fractionation of lead.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Alejandra Aguayo and Olivia Cruz for collaborating in the chemical determinations. We are indebted to two anonymous reviewers for their important observations and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Energía, Unidad Azcapotzalco, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Av. San Pablo 180, 02200, Ciudad de México, México

    Israel Labastida, Linda A. Mercado, Sarai Rojas, Beatriz Barrera, Margarita Beltrán & Rosa M. Luna

  2. Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM, 04510, Ciudad de México, México

    M. Aurora Armienta

  3. Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Av. Veterinaria S/N Circuito Universitario, 34120, Durango Dgo, México

    René H. Lara

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  1. Israel Labastida
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Correspondence to M. Aurora Armienta.

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Labastida, I., Mercado, L.A., Rojas, S. et al. Remediation by means of EDTA of an agricultural calcareous soil polluted with Pb. Environ Geochem Health 43, 2231–2242 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00754-5

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