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Published on: September 1, 2020
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GMCs stabilized/solidified Pb/Zn contaminated soil under different curing temperature: leachability and durability.
Fei Wang1, Yunhui Zhang2, Zhengtao Shen3
1Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, School of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China. 101012020@seu.edu.cn.
Summary
Increasing curing temperature, time, and binder dosage enhances the durability and reduces leaching in Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag-Magnesium Oxide-Calcium Oxide (GMC)-stabilized contaminated soils. GMCs effectively immobilize lead and zinc, outperforming Portland cement in durability tests.
Area of Science:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Contaminated clay soils pose environmental risks due to heavy metal leaching.
- Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag-Magnesium Oxide-Calcium Oxide (GMC) binders offer potential for soil stabilization and contaminant immobilization.
- Understanding the influence of curing conditions on GMC-stabilized soil performance is crucial for effective remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of curing temperature on the leaching behavior and durability of GMC-stabilized Pb/Zn-contaminated clay soils.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of GMC binders in immobilizing lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) compared to traditional Portland cement (PC).
- To assess the influence of curing temperature, binder dosage, and curing time on soil stabilization performance.
Main Methods:
- Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) tests were conducted to assess heavy metal leachability.
- Durability was evaluated through wetting-drying and freeze-thaw cycle tests.
- Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS) tests measured the mechanical stability of the stabilized soils.
Main Results:
- Improved durability and reduced leachability were observed with increased curing temperature, curing time, and binder dosage.
- GMC binders demonstrated superior immobilization of Pb compared to Zn, particularly in highly contaminated soils.
- GMC-treated soil (GMC10) exhibited better freeze-thaw resistance and chemical stability than Portland cement-treated soil (PC10) after cyclic tests.
Conclusions:
- Curing temperature is a significant factor influencing the performance of GMC-stabilized contaminated soils.
- GMC binders provide a viable and effective solution for stabilizing heavy metal-contaminated soils, offering enhanced durability and immobilization.
- GMC stabilization presents a promising alternative to Portland cement for environmental remediation applications.
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