Effects of Granulated Red Mud on Lead-Zinc Waste Soil Remediation and Leeks Growth

Effects of granulated red mud addition on the fractionation of Pb and Zn in soil and plants growth were studied by 2 batches of soil column incubation experiment(with and without leeks). Experimental results showed that all treatments with granulated red mud addition significantly decreased the concentrations of bio-available and Zn. Compared with the control, the treatment with5% granulated red mud addition significantly decreased the concentrations of bio-available Pb and Zn after 5, 10 and 20 days incubation (26.47%, 40.36% and 40.03%decrease,22.63%,26.62% and 26.55% decrease, for Pb and Zn, respectively). In the combined remediation of Pb and Zn contaminated soil and the effects on growth of leeks, the optimal concentration of granulated red mud addition was 1%, thereby reducing the bio-available fraction of Pb and Zn by 24.81 % and 15.9 % respectively during remediation time. The results highlighted the potential of granulated red mud amendments to reduce Pb and Zn bio-available in acid contaminated soil in south of China.