Lead and copper removal from sterile dumps by phytoremediation with Robinia pseudoacacia.

In Romania, huge quantities of gangue material from the mining activity practiced in the past were improperly stored and led to the pollution of the environment. Thus, this work is framed to manage the sterile dump of the "Radeș" mine (Alba, Romania) through a 12-week phytoremediation process. The efficient use of Robinia pseudoacacia was studied through the implementation, at the laboratory level, of a phytoremediation experiment based on various variants prepared by mixtures of gangue material, uncontaminated soil, and dehydrated sludge. The prepared variants, all planted with R. pseudoacacia, were watered with tap water, potassium monobasic phosphate, and enzyme solution. The bioconcentration and translocation factors for lead showed values ˂ 1, which indicates a potential presence of an exclusion system for Pb or a reduced Pb bioavailability since the R. pseudoacacia accumulates high concentrations of metals absorbed on and inside the roots. For copper, both factors had values > 1 indicating the suitability of R. pseudoacacia to readily translocate copper into the epigean organs. In the investigated experimental conditions, the highest efficiency in the removal of copper (93.0%) and lead (66.4%) by plants was obtained when gangue material was not mixed with other materials and wetted with enzymatic solution.

Influence of the Extraction Solution on the Removal of Heavy Metals from Polluted Soils.

Soil pollution with heavy metals is a problem for the whole geosystem. The aim of the research is to identify new solutions for extracting heavy metals from polluted soils so that they can be further exploited. To this end, investigations of the physicochemical characteristics of the soil sample under study were carried out. Following the analyses, the soil was characterised as lute-coarse sand (UG) with a strongly acidic pH (4.67), a hygroscopicity coefficient (CH = 4.8% g/g), and a good supply of nutrients: nitrogen (Nt): 0.107%; mobile phosphorus (PAL): 6 mg kg-1 and mobile potassium (KAL): 26 mg kg-1, but is low in humus (2.12%). The metal content of the soil was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and the analyses showed high concentrations of metals (Pb: 27,660 mg kg-1; Cu: 5590 mg kg-1; Zn: 2199 mg kg-1; Cd: 11.68 mg kg-1; Cr: 146 mg kg-1). The removal of metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Cr) from polluted soil by different extraction agents (water, humus, malic acid, chitosan, and gluconic acid) was investigated. Metal extraction experiments were carried out in a continuous orbital rotation-oscillation stirrer at a solid/liquid/ (S/L ratio; g:mL) of 1:4, at two concentrations of extraction solution (1% and 3%), and at different stirring times (2, 4, 6, and 8 h). The yield of the extraction process is very low for all proposed extraction solutions. The maximum values of extraction efficiency are: 0.5% (Pb); 3.28% (Zn); and 5.72% (Cu). Higher values were obtained in the case of Cr (11.97%) in the variant of using humus 3% as an extraction solution at a stirring time of 6 h. In the investigated experimental conditions, the best removal efficiencies were obtained in the case of cadmium (26.71%) when using a 3% malic acid solution. In conclusion, it is considered that, from case to case, the type of extraction solution as well as the nature of the metal influence the mechanism of the depollution process, i.e., the capacity of the fine soil granules to free themselves from the pollutant metal that has adhered to them, and further research is considered necessary in the future.

Extraction of Metals from Polluted Soils by Bioleaching in Relation to Environmental Risk Assessment.

Environmental pollution has particular implications for the whole geosystem and increases the global risk to human and ecological health. In this regard, investigations were carried out on soil samples to perform the quality status assessment by determining: pH, texture, structure and metal concentration, as well as carrying out an assessment of anthropogenic activity by determining pollution indices: Cf (contamination factor), Cd (degree of contamination), PLI (pollution load index), Er (ecological risk index) and PERI (potential ecological risk index). Analyses on soil samples showed high concentrations of metals (Cu: 113-2996 mg kg-1; Pb: 665-5466 mg kg-1; Cr: 40-187 mg kg-1; Ni: 221-1708 mg kg-1). The metal extraction experiments were carried out by bioleaching using Thiobacillusferrooxidans, microorganisms at different amounts of bioleaching solution (20 mL and 40 mL 9K medium) and a stirring time of up to 12 h. The results on the degree of contamination, pollution loading index PLI (2.03-57.23) and potential ecological risk index PERI (165-2298) indicate that the soils in the studied area have a very high degree of pollution. The decontamination procedure by bioleaching showed a decrease, but at the end of the test (12 h), the followed indices indicate high values, suggesting that bioleaching should continue. The depollution yield after 12 h of treatment is, however, encouraging: Cu 29-76%, Pb: 10-32%, Cr: 39-72% and Ni 44-68%. The use of yield-time correlation equations allows the identification of the optimal exposure time on the bioleaching extraction process to obtain optimal results. The aim of the research is to determine the soil quality, soil environmental risk, extraction of metals from polluted soils by bioleaching and to identify influencing factors in achieving high remediation yields.

Health Risk Assessment in Southern Carpathians Small Rural Communities Using Karst Springs as a Drinking Water Source.

The chemical quality of waters from eight karst springs from the Southern Carpathians and the health risk of small rural communities using these springs as a drinking water source were assessed. The results indicated that the spring waters in the studied area are chemically suitable to be used as drinking water and pose no health risks for adults and children. The spring water can be generally described as having circumneutral pH, Ca-Mg-HCO3- facies, excellent to good palatability, and low trace metal and nitrate content. The variation of chemical parameters between spring and autumn was low. These springs could become appropriate drinking water sources for the neighboring rural communities after the assessment of their microbiological status and, if it is the case, proper water treatment. Moreover, periodic monitoring of the water's chemical parameters, mostly nitrates, as well as the establishment of a protected area near the springs to prevent the negative impact of anthropogenic sources on water quality is recommended.