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Trace metal stabilisation in a shooting range soil: mobility and phytotoxicity
Cornelia Spuller1, Harald Weigand, Clemens Marb
1Bavarian Environment Agency, Josef-Vogl-Technology-Centre, Am Mittleren Moos 46, 86167 Augsburg, Germany.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|July 18, 2006
Summary
Ferric amendments effectively stabilize shooting range soil contaminants like antimony, copper, and lead, reducing leaching and toxicity. Phosphatic amendments, however, mobilize some metals, increasing phytotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Shooting range berms accumulate bullet-borne contaminants (antimony, copper, lead) from projectile impact and abrasion.
- Contaminant leaching and bioavailability from berm soils pose environmental risks.
- Soil stabilization is a potential strategy to mitigate contaminant mobility and toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of ferric and phosphatic amendments in stabilizing antimony, copper, and lead in shooting range berm material.
- To assess the impact of stabilization on contaminant mobility and bioavailability.
- To determine the phytotoxicity of treated berm soils using duckweed growth inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Batch and column experiments were conducted using ferric (goethite, deferrisation sludge) and phosphatic (diammonium phosphate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate) amendments.
- Sequential extraction techniques were employed to analyze contaminant fractions.
- Phytotoxicity was assessed through duckweed growth inhibition tests.
Main Results:
- Ferric amendments effectively stabilized antimony, copper, and lead, increasing their association with iron (hydr)oxides and reducing contaminant levels in seepage water.
- Duckweed growth inhibition was significantly lower in soils treated with ferric amendments compared to the control.
- Phosphatic amendments stabilized lead but mobilized copper and antimony, leading to increased phytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Ferric amendments are effective in stabilizing heavy metal contaminants in shooting range berm soils, reducing environmental risks.
- Phosphatic amendments are not suitable for berm stabilization due to the mobilization of certain contaminants and increased phytotoxicity.
- Effective soil stabilization requires a comprehensive understanding of amendment-contaminant interactions and the use of complementary testing methods.