title: Environmental materials for remediation of soils contaminated with lead and cadmium using maize (Zea mays L.) growth as a bioindicator.
abstract: Heavy metal pollution is a severe environmental problem. Remediation of contaminated soils can be accomplished using environmental materials that are low cost and environmentally friendly. We evaluated the individual and combination effects of humic acid (HA), super absorbent polymer (SAP), zeolite (ZE), and fly ash composites (FC) on immobilization of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in contaminated soils. We also investigated long-term practical approaches for remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil. The biochemical and morphological properties of maize (Zea mays L.) were selected as biomarkers to assess the effects of environmental materials on heavy metal immobilization. The results showed that addition of test materials to soil effectively reduced heavy metal accumulation in maize foliage, improving chlorophyll levels, plant growth, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The test materials reduced heavy metal injury to maize throughout the growth period. A synergistic effect from combinations of different materials on immobilization of Pb and Cd was determined based on the reduction of morphological and biochemical injuries to maize. The combination of zeolite and humic acid was especially effective. Treatment with a combination of HA + SAP + ZE + FC was superior for remediation of soils contaminated with high levels of Pb and Cd.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
authors.forename: Zhanbin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Xiujie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Suheryani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Imran
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
authors.forename: Licheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China. dairongji@bit.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Rongji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Yulin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis*; D060729:Coal Ash / Q000737:chemistry; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D017641:Zeolites / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D060729:Coal Ash; D006812:Humic Substances; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D017641:Zeolites; D007854:Lead
keywords: Cadmium; Environmental materials; Heavy metal; Immobilization; Injuries; Lead; Soil