Pyrolysis of Plants After Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soil with Lead, Cadmium and Zinc

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2016 Mar;96(3):415-9. doi: 10.1007/s00128-016-1746-2. Epub 2016 Feb 8.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to remediate lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) from contaminated soil and stabilize to pyrolysis solid product. To accomplish this, phytoremediation of soil contaminated with Pb, Cd and Zn by different plants (sunflower, corn and rape) was performed with and without ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). According to phytoremediation results, rape was the most effective plant with 72 %, 76 % and 77 % removal efficiency for Pb, Cd and Zn, respectively. Also, EDTA addition had no significant effect on translocation of the metals from roots to stems. According to pyrolysis results, Pb, Cd and Zn in the contaminated plants were stabilized in the ash/char fraction. In addition, the solid product can be safely landfilled as inert waste since its toxicity leaching value is lower than the limit values given in the Turkish Regulation on Landfilling of Wastes.

Keywords: Hazardous waste; Metal; Thermal process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Brassica napus / chemistry
  • Brassica napus / growth & development
  • Cadmium / analysis*
  • Edetic Acid / chemistry
  • Helianthus / chemistry
  • Helianthus / growth & development
  • Incineration / methods*
  • Lead / analysis*
  • Magnoliopsida / chemistry*
  • Magnoliopsida / growth & development
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plant Stems / chemistry
  • Plant Stems / growth & development
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis*
  • Zea mays / chemistry
  • Zea mays / growth & development
  • Zinc / analysis*

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants
  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Edetic Acid
  • Zinc