Remediating Garden Soils: EDTA-Soil Washing and Safe Vegetable Production in Raised Bed Gardens.
Toxics
; 10(11)2022 Oct 29.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36355942
ABSTRACT
Soil remediation is an important practice in the restoration of heavy metal-contaminated soils and reduce the heavy metal exposure of the local population. Here, we investigated the effect of an ex-situ soil washing technique, based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a chelating agent, on a contaminated Cambisol. Lead, Cd and Zn were investigated in different soil fractions, drainage water and four vegetables from August 2019 to March 2021. Three treatments consisting of (C) contaminated soil, (W) washed soil and (WA) washed soil amended with vermicompost and biochar were investigated in an outdoor raised bed set up. Our results showed that the total and bioavailable metal fractions were significantly reduced but failed to meet Austrian national guideline values. Initial concentrations in the soil leachate increased significantly, especially for Cd. Vegetables grown on the remediated soil took up significantly lower amounts of all heavy metals and were further reduced by the organic amendment, attaining acceptable values within EU guideline values for food safety. Only spinach exceeded the thresholds in all soil treatments. The increase in soil pH and nutrient availability led to significantly higher vegetable yields.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Guideline
Language:
En
Journal:
Toxics
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Austria