The Combination of Lime and Plant Species Effects on Trace Metals (Copper and Cadmium) in Soil Exchangeable Fractions and Runoff in the Red Soil Region of China

Abstract

The water-soluble heavy metal ions in contaminated soil may enter aquatic ecosystem through runoff, thus causing negative impact on the water environment. In this study, a two-year in situ experiment was carried out to explore an effective way to reduce the runoff erosion and water-soluble copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) in a contaminated soil (Cu: 1,148 mg kg−1, Cd: 1.31 mg kg−1) near a large Cu smelter. We evaluated the ability to influence soil properties by four Cu-tolerance plant species (Pennisetum sp., Elsholtzia splendens, Vetiveria zizanioides, Setaria pumila) grown in a contaminated acidic soil amended with lime. The results show that the addition of lime can significantly reduce the exchangeable fraction (EXC) of Cu and Cd in soil (81.1–85.6% and 46.3–55.9%, respectively). Plant species cannot change the fraction distributions of Cu and Cd in the lime-amended soils, but they can reduce the runoff generation by 8.39–77.0%. Although water-soluble Cu concentrations in the runoff were not significantly differed and water-soluble Cd cannot be detected among the four plant species, the combined remediation can significantly reduce 35.9–63.4% of Cu erosion to aquatic ecosystem, following the order: Pennisetum sp. > Elsholtzia splendens > Vetiveria zizanioides > Setaria pumila. The implication of this study would provide valuable insights for contaminated soil management and risk reduction in the Cu and Cd contaminated regions.

Applicability of Compost and Mineral Materials for Reducing the Effect of Diesel Oil on Trace Element Content in Soil

“…These results are, in part, consistent with the findings from our previous research (Wyszkowski and Kordala [ 50 ]), which showed that the application of calcium oxide to soil contaminated with gasoline resulted in a decrease in the contents of nickel (11%), cadmium (26.0%), chromium (55.0%) and cobalt (33.0%) compared to the series without the addition of a neutralising material. Xu et al [ 80 ] proved that the addition of lime (0.2%) could significantly reduce the exchangeable fraction of copper and cadmium in soil by 81.1–85.6% and 46.3–55.9%, respectively. Additionally, Vondráčková et al [ 81 ] and Kumarpandit et al [ 82 ] confirmed the effectiveness of the liming process in the in situ stabilisation of contaminated soils.…”

Latent Benefits and Toxicity Risks Transmission Chain of High Dietary Copper along the Livestock–Environment–Plant–Human Health Axis and Microbial Homeostasis: A Review

“…Meanwhile, Cu mainly accumulates in the surface layer of soils and enters the surface runoff with the process of soil erosion. Then, Cu will accumulate and circulate into rivers, induce water pollution, and endanger the health of aquatic animals and plants . Liu et al investigated 10 large-scale pig farms that digested piggery wastewater in China and found that Cu is detectable in all farms, and its concentrations reached the discharge limit of 0.5 mg/L.…”

“…Then, Cu will accumulate and circulate into rivers, induce water pollution, and endanger the health of aquatic animals and plants. 104 Liu et al 105 investigated 10 large-scale pig farms that digested piggery wastewater in China and found that Cu is detectable in all farms, and its concentrations reached the discharge limit of 0.5 mg/L. Dos et al 106 also reported that unsustainable agriculture and livestock result in high concentrations of Cu (464.7 mg/kg) in a Doce River tributary in Brazil.…”