Lysimeter monitoring as assessment of the potential for revegetation to manage former iron industry settling ponds.
To assess the impact of metal-rich brownfields on groundwater quality, the fluxes in a Technosol developed on a former iron industry settling pond were studied. Intact soil monoliths (1 m(2) × 2 m) were extracted and placed in lysimeters. Dynamics of fluxes of metals and solutes under varying vegetation cover were monitored over the course of four years. Soil hydraulic properties were also determined. Results showed that the Technosol has a high retention capacity for water and metals, in relation to its mineral components and resulting chemical and physical properties. As a consequence, metal fluxes were limited. However, soluble compounds, such as SO4(2-), were found at significant concentrations in the leachates. The presence of a dense and deeply-rooted vegetation cover limited water- and solute-fluxes by increasing evapotranspiration and water uptake, thereby reducing the risks of transfer of potentially toxic compounds to local groundwater sources. However, vegetation development may induce changes in soil chemical (e.g. pH, redox potential) and physical properties (e.g. structure), favoring metal mobilization and transport. Revegetation is a valuable management solution for former iron industry settling ponds, provided vegetation does not change soil physico-chemical conditions in the long term. Monitored natural attenuation is required.
Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, 2, avenue de la Forêt de Haye, TSA 40602, 54518 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France; INRA, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, 2 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, TSA 40602, 54518 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France; Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, UMR 7274, 1 rue Grandville, 54001 Nancy cedex, France; CNRS, Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, UMR 7274, 1 rue Grandville, 54001 Nancy cedex, France. Electronic address: hermine.huot@yahoo.fr.
Hermine
H
Huot
Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, 2, avenue de la Forêt de Haye, TSA 40602, 54518 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France; INRA, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, 2 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, TSA 40602, 54518 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France. Electronic address: geoffroy.sere@univ-lorraine.fr.
Geoffroy
G
Séré
ArcelorMittal Real Estate France (AMREF), 155 rue de Verdun, 57700 Hayange, France. Electronic address: patrick.charbonnier@arcelormittal.com.
Patrick
P
Charbonnier
Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, UMR 7274, 1 rue Grandville, 54001 Nancy cedex, France; CNRS, Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, UMR 7274, 1 rue Grandville, 54001 Nancy cedex, France. Electronic address: marie-odile.simonnot@univ-lorraine.fr.
Marie-Odile
MO
Simonnot
Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, 2, avenue de la Forêt de Haye, TSA 40602, 54518 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France; INRA, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, 2 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, TSA 40602, 54518 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France. Electronic address: jean-louis.morel@univ-lorraine.fr.
Jean Louis
JL
Morel
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007501:Iron; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D061005:Ponds / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007501:Iron
Brownfield; Flux; Lysimeter; Monitoring; Revegetation; Technosol