Role of organic amendments on enhanced bioremediation of heavy metal(loid) contaminated soils.
As land application becomes one of the important waste utilization and disposal practices, soil is increasingly being seen as a major source of metal(loid)s reaching food chain, mainly through plant uptake and animal transfer. With greater public awareness of the implications of contaminated soils on human and animal health there has been increasing interest in developing technologies to remediate contaminated sites. Bioremediation is a natural process which relies on soil microorganisms and higher plants to alter metal(loid) bioavailability and can be enhanced by addition of organic amendments to soils. Large quantities of organic amendments, such as manure compost, biosolid and municipal solid wastes are used as a source of nutrients and also as a conditioner to improve the physical properties and fertility of soils. These organic amendments that are low in metal(loid)s can be used as a sink for reducing the bioavailability of metal(loid)s in contaminated soils and sediments through their effect on the adsorption, complexation, reduction and volatilization of metal(loid)s. This review examines the mechanisms for the enhanced bioremediation of metal(loid)s by organic amendments and discusses the practical implications in relation to sequestration and bioavailability of metal(loid)s in soils.
Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia.
Jin Hee
JH
Park
Dane
D
Lamb
Periyasamy
P
Paneerselvam
Girish
G
Choppala
Nanthi
N
Bolan
Jae-Woo
JW
Chung
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants