Zero valent iron and goethite nanoparticles as new promising remediation techniques for As-polluted soils

The capacity of two iron-based nanomaterials, namely goethite nanospheres (nGoethite) and zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI), to immobilize As in a polluted soil was evaluated and compared. The composition and morphology of the products were studied by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy, while zeta potential and average sizes were determined by dynamic light scattering. To assess As immobilization, soil subsamples were treated with nGoethite or nZVI at a range of Fe doses (0.5%, 2%, 5% and 10%) and then studied by the TCLP test and the Tessier sequential extraction procedure. The influence of both nanoparticles on As speciation was determined, as was impact on soil pH, electrical conductivity, Fe availability and phytotoxicity (watercress germination). For nZVI, notable results were achieved at a dose of 2% (89.5% decrease in As, TCLP test), and no negative effects on soil parameters were detected. Indeed, even soil phytotoxicity was reduced and only at the highest dose was a slight increase in As³⁺ detected. In contrast, excellent results were obtained for nGoethite at the lowest dose (0.2%) (82.5% decrease in As, TCLP test); however, soil phytotoxicity was increased at higher doses, probably due to a marked enhancement of electrical conductivity. For both types of nanoparticle, slight increases in Fe availability were observed. Thus, our results show that both nZVI and nGoethite have the capacity to effectively immobilize As in this brownfield. The use of lower doses of nGoethite emerges as a promising soil remediation strategy for soils affected by As pollution.