Immobilization of Pb, Cd, and Cr in contaminated soil around mining areas using Mg/Al LDH-zeolite and evaluation of maize growth

Abstract

Abstract This study conducted simultaneous adsorption of Pb, Cd, and Cr ions using Mg/Al LDH-zeolite on contaminated soils from lead-zinc and tin mining areas. The optimal conditions were a 3% adsorbent-to-soil ratio, a 30-day incubation period, and 70% soil moisture. Characterization of the materials revealed that Mg/Al LDH-zeolite has superior physicochemical properties to natural zeolite, with a higher surface area and better adsorption capacity. Results indicated significant reductions in exchangeable heavy metal content: in lead-zinc mining area soil, exchangeable Pb decreased from 139.79 mg kg−1 to 10.95 mg kg−1, Cd−1 from 1.518 mg kg−1 to 0.533 mg kg−1, and Cr from 2.636 mg kg−1 to 0.461 mg/kg using Mg/Al LDH-zeolite. In tin mining area soil, exchangeable Pb decreased from 583.97 mg kg−1 to 48.22 mg kg−1, Cd−1 from 0.498 mg kg−1 to 0.122 mg kg−1, and Cr from 106.095 mg kg−1 to 38.038 mg/kg. Maize cultivation on post-adsorption soil showed improved growth performance, with plants exhibiting increased height and ear and reduced heavy metal accumulation in roots, shoots, and grains. Pb, Cd, and Cr concentrations in maize roots decreased significantly, with Pb reducing to 0.113 mg kg−1 in the lead-zinc area and 0.203 mg kg−1 in the tin area, Cd reducing to 0.061 mg kg−1 and 0.037 mg kg−1, respectively, and Cr reducing to 0.036 mg kg−1 and 0.243 mg kg−1 respectively. Mg/Al LDH-zeolite consistently demonstrated higher efficiency in reducing the bioavailability and translocation of heavy metals in maize tissues, confirming its potential as an effective adsorbent for soil remediation. Key mechanisms, including adsorption, surface complexation, ion exchange, precipitation, and structural incorporation, reduce metal mobility and bioavailability.