[In situ immobilization of Pb and Cd in orchard soil using soil ameliorants]

In situ immobilization of Pb and Cd in soil of two gardens in Golden Orchard of Chongqing was studied using soil ameliorants, which included eight treatments: control, quicklime, superphosphate, organic manure, quicklime + superphosphate, quicklime + organic manure, superphosphate + organic manure, and quicklime + superphosphate + organic manure. The results showed that all ameliorant treatments could decrease soil acidity in both the loquat garden and peach garden except the superphosphate treatment. Compared with the control, the soil pH in the two gardens increased by 0. 93 and 0. 79 with quicklime treatment for 120 d, respectively. Ameliorant treatments could decrease the bioavailability of Pb and Cd in the soil, and thus reduce the contents of Pb and Cd in the fruits. The available Pb contents in the soil of loquat garden and peach garden significantly decreased after the 150 d treatment with quicklime and superphosphate, by 3.46% and 3.56%, respectively, and the Pb contents in loquat and peach decreased by 18.3% and 14.44%, respectively. The available Cd content in the soil of loquat garden decreased by 10. 95% after the 150 d treatment with quicklime. The available Cd content in the soil of peach garden decreased by 7.09% after the 150 d treatment with quicklime, superphosphate and organic manure. Ameliorant treatments could further decrease the Cd content in loquat, and the Cd contents in loquat and peach decreased by 30.91% and 24.62% with quicklime treatment, respectively.