Simultaneous immobilization of ammonia and phosphorous by thermally treated sediment co-modified with hydrophilic organic matter and zeolite

Pingzhou Duan; Shuai Ding; Lixin Jiao; Miao Wang; Yun Zhang; Chang Qian

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117800

Simultaneous immobilization of ammonia and phosphorous by thermally treated sediment co-modified with hydrophilic organic matter and zeolite

J Environ Manage. 2023 Aug 1:339:117800. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117800. Epub 2023 Apr 6.

Authors

Pingzhou Duan¹, Shuai Ding², Lixin Jiao³, Miao Wang⁴, Yun Zhang⁵, Chang Qian¹

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, People's Republic of China; Institute of Water Environment Research, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, People's Republic of China.
² State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, People's Republic of China; Environmental Standard Institute, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100012, People's Republic of China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, People's Republic of China; Institute of Water Environment Research, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: jiaolx@craes.org.cn.
⁴ Leping Branch of Jingdezhen Ecological Environment Bureau, Jiangxi, Leping, 333300, People's Republic of China.
⁵ Coal Mining Geological Engineering Consulting and Geological Environment Monitoring Center, Guizhou, 550002, People's Republic of China.

PMID: 37030239
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117800

Abstract

The use of calcined sediments (CS) for thin-layer capping is an environment-friendly technology for controlling nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) release. However, the effects of CS derived materials and efficiency in controlling the sedimentary N/P ratio have not been thoroughly investigated. While zeolite-based materials have been proven efficient to remove ammonia, it is limited by the low adsorption capacity of PO₄^3-. Herein, CS co-modified with zeolite and hydrophilic organic matter (HIM) was synthesized to simultaneously immobilize ammonium-N (NH₄⁺-N) and remove P, due to the superior ecological security of natural HIM. Studies on the influences of calcination temperature and composition ratio indicated that 600 °C and 40% zeolite were the optimal parameters leading to the highest adsorption capacity and lowest equilibrium concentration. Compared with doping with polyaluminum chloride, doping with HIM not only enhanced P removal but also achieved higher NH₄⁺-N immobilization efficacy. The efficiency of zeolite/CS/HIM capping and amendment in prohibiting the discharge of N/P from sediments was assessed via simulation experiments, and the relevant control mechanism was studied at the molecular level. The results indicated that zeolite/CS/HIM can reduce 49.98% and 72.27% of the N flux and 32.10% and 76.47% of the P flux in slightly and highly polluted sediments, respectively. Capping and incubation with zeolite/CS/HIM simultaneously resulted in substantial reductions in NH₄⁺-N and dissolved total P in overlying water and pore water. Chemical state analysis indicated that HIM enhanced the NH₄⁺-N adsorption ability of CS owing to its abundant carbonyl groups and indirectly increased P adsorption by protonating mineral surface groups. This research provides a novel strategy to control sedimentary nutrient release by adopting an efficient and ecologically secure remediation method to rehabilitate eutrophic lake systems.

Keywords: Ammonia; Capping mechanism; Dianchi lake; Hydrophilic organic matter; Phosphorus; Zeolite-modified calcined sediment.

MeSH terms

Ammonia / analysis
Geologic Sediments / chemistry
Lakes
Nitrogen / analysis
Phosphorus / chemistry
Water / analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / chemistry
Zeolites* / chemistry

Substances

Ammonia
Zeolites
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Phosphorus
Water
Nitrogen