Diminishing the risk on lead and zinc ore regions by subtle modulation of soil properties

Abstract

The negative effect of non-ferrous metal emission in Upper Silesian Industrial Region (Poland) on the quality of soil is continuously present. It poses a serious threat on living organisms and is an important factor influencing the level of metal load introduced to human organism. Easy way for diminishing the metal uptake by plants is the amendment application to the soil. Presented study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the introduction of sewage sludge and fly ashes from power station into the medium contaminated soil. Heavy metals in soil were stabilized with a mixture of sewage sludge and fly ashes from the local wastewater treatment plant and power plant. Previously the mixture was tested in terms of the probability of its ecotoxicological impact on plant growth and development. Even low doses of the mixture addition to the contaminated soil caused a observable reduction of lead, cadmium and zinc in leaves of grasses. Soil additives also increased the soil pH.

Keywords

• heavy metals
• plant uptake
• sewage sludge
• fly ash