Development of new remediation technologies for contaminated soils based on the application of zero-valent iron nanoparticles and bioremediation with compost

Abstract

This study aimed to develop new techniques for the remediation of contaminated soils based on the applicationof zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) and bioremediation with compost from organic wastesand a mixed technique of both. An assessment of the effectiveness of remediation in two soils contaminatedwith hydrocarbons and heavy metals was carried out, with the aim of looking for positive synergiesby combining the two techniques, and demonstrating their viability on an industrial scale. The applicationof nZVI for in situ immobilization of As and Cr in two different soils (Soil I from a contaminatedindustrial site and Soil II, contaminated artificially) showed a decrease in the concentration of As in SoilI and Soil II, as well as a decrease in Cr concentration for Soil I and Soil II in the leachate of both soils.The addition of compost and nanoparticles under uncontrolled environmental conditions in biopiles wasable to produce a decrease in the concentration of aliphatic hydrocarbons of up to 60% in the two soils.Especially, degradation and transformation of longer chains occurred. A significant reduction of ecotoxicitywas observed throughout the process in the biopile of soil II, not reaching the LC50 even with 100%of the sample after the treatment, in both earthworm and seeds growth tests.