Effect of simulated acid rain on soil acidification and rare earth elements leaching loss in soils of rare earth mining area in southern Jiangxi Province of China

Acid rain has long been a great concern because of environmental and ecological problems; however, the effect of acid rain on soil acidification, loss of rare earth elements (REEs) via the leaching process, and transformation are rarely reported in rare earth mining areas. Through a simulated acid rain leaching experience, the effect of acid rain was studied on soil acidification and REEs leaching loss. The results showed that the tested soil had certain buffering capacity against nearly neutral rainwater. However, simulated acid rain of low and very low pH (pH ≤ 3.5) had a greater impact on soil acidification. After eluviating by simulated acid rain of pH 3.5 for 36 h, the pH of tailings, garden soil, paddy soil, and alluvial soil decreased by 20.41, 32.03, 13.60, 16.88, and 15.83 %, respectively, from the original values. For simulated acid rain of pH 2.5, it was 31.89, 44.76, 31.26, 29.87, and 29.15 %, respectively. After simulated acid rain eluviations of low and very low pH (pH ≤ 3.5), the order of the leaching rate of REEs in the tested soil was as follows: garden soil > tailings > paddy soil > alluvial soil. For nearly neutral rainwater (pH 4.5 simulated acid rain and pH 5.6 deionized water), the order was tailings > garden soil > paddy soil > alluvial soil. For simulated acid rain of the same pH, the leaching amounts of REEs in tailings and garden soil were higher than those in paddy soil and alluvial soil. After leaching by low and very low pH-simulated acid rain (pH ≤ 3.5), the peak value of the leaching amount of REEs in all tested soil appeared at 2 h, and then gradually reduced and reached a stable leaching state 20 h after leaching. On leaching by simulated acid rain of pH 2.5, the maximum REEs contents of leachate in tailings, garden soil, paddy soil, and alluvial soil were 156.35, 145.82, 99.88, and 85.97 mg/L, respectively. For pH 3.5 of simulated acid rain, it was 130.49, 110.49, 80.57, and 62.73 mg/L, respectively. On leaching by simulated acid rain of pH 4.5, the maximum contents of REEs in the leachate were 53.46 and 29.82 mg/L, respectively, which were observed after leaching for 6 h in tailings and garden soil that became stable 12 h after leaching. The contents of leached REEs in paddy soil and alluvial soil were always in a lower and stable state. After eluviations with deionized water of pH 5.6, the contents of leached REEs in other soils were lower, except for the slight fluctuations in tailings. The maximum content in the leachate of REEs was in the water-soluble and exchangeable fraction. When bound to carbonate fractions, REEs were not detected in the leachate. REEs bound to iron-manganese (Fe–Mn) oxides fraction and to organic matter fraction in the leachate possibly came from the tested soil or from the REEs transformation during the migration process. The content of residual fraction REEs in the leachate was very low.     

Effects of biosolid application on soil properties and kiwi fruit nutrient composition on high-pH soil

Macro- and micronutrient availability in high-pH soil is a major constraint in crop production especially for the sensitive plants, such as kiwi fruit. A field study was conducted to investigate the multiyear effects of biosolid application on nutrient availability of agricultural soil and elemental sufficiency in kiwi fruit. Solar-dried biosolid applied at 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 t ha^?1 annually for successive 2 years. The considered soil properties included pH, EC, organic matter, N, P, K, macro–microelements, heavy metals and DTPA-extractable elements were determined. Results showed that biosolid addition significantly reduced to initial soil pH from 8.2 to 7.8 at higher application doses. Optimization of pH resulted in increased levels of soluble elements in all treatments studied. Biosolid application particularly increased Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and B concentrations to sufficient levels. Among the other elements analyzed, were not significantly affected by biosolid application. Biosolid addition also increased soil DTPA-extractable elements, especially Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn. Significant increases in DTPA-extractable elements occurred for increasing application rates at 50, 100 and 200 t ha^?1 compared to control. We conclude that municipal biosolid applied at an annual rate at or less than 200 t ha^?1 can be safely used for kiwi fruit production on high-pH soils.     

Leachate studies on fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners

This paper presents leachate studies on fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners. Fly ash in different contents (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) by dry weight of the expansive clay was added to the clay, and the ash-clay blend was compacted as a liner overlying a compacted lateritic clay layer. Deionised water (DIW) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solutions of varying concentration (5 mM, 10 mM, 20 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM and 500 mM) were used as the permeating fluids in the leachate studies. Chemical analysis of the leachate was performed. For a given CaCl₂ concentration, the concentrations of both calcium ion and chloride ion in the leachate decreased up to a fly ash content of 20%, and thereafter they increased when the fly ash content was increased to 30%. Further, for a given fly ash content, concentrations of calcium ion and chloride ion increased with increasing CaCl₂ concentration.     

Changes of biochemical properties and heavy metal bioavailability in soil treated with natural liming materials

This study evaluated the efficiency of naturally occurring lime-based waste materials (oyster shells, eggshells, and mussel shells) on immobilization of selected heavy metals (Cd and Pb) and a metalloid (As) in a contaminated agricultural soil. A 30-day incubation experiment was performed using soil mixture with natural liming materials or calcite (CaCO₃) at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt %. Soil biochemical properties including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), exchangeable cations, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), microbial populations, and enzyme activities were determined to ensure the changes in soil quality during incubation. The results showed that the application of natural liming materials led to an increase in soil pH similar to that of CaCO₃. Soil concentrations of Cd, Pb, and As extracted with 0.1 or 1 M HCl, and diethylene triamine pentacetic acid (DTPA) were decreased significantly after adding liming materials, accompanied by increased microbial population and enzyme activities of dehydrogenase, phosphatase, β-glucosidase, and arylsulfatase. Additionally, eggshells and mussel shells induced significant increases in OM and TN in the soil. Application of natural liming materials offers a cost-effective way to immobilize heavy metals and metalloids in soils.     

Biochar application to hardrock mine tailings: Soil quality,microbial activity,and toxic element sorption

Waste rock piles from historic mining activities remain unvegetated as a result of metal toxicity and high acidity. Biochar has been proposed as a low-cost remediation strategy to increase soil pH and reduce leaching of toxic elements, and improve plant establishment. In this laboratory column study, biochar made from beetle-killed pine wood was assessed for utility as a soil amendment by mixing soil material from two mine sites collected near Silverton, Colorado, USA with four application rates of biochar (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% vol:vol). Columns were leached seven times over 65 days and leachate pH and concentration of toxic elements and base cations were measured at each leaching. Nutrient availability and soil physical and biological parameters were determined following the incubation period. We investigated the hypotheses that biochar incorporation into acidic mine materials will (1) reduce toxic element concentrations in leaching solution, (2) improve soil parameters (i.e. increase nutrient and water holding capacity and pH, and decrease compaction), and (3) increase microbial populations and activity. Biochar directly increased soil pH (from 3.33 to 3.63 and from 4.07 to 4.77 in the two materials) and organic matter content, and decreased bulk density and extractable salt content in both mine materials, and increased nitrate availability in one material. No changes in microbial population or activity were detected in either mine material upon biochar application. In leachate solution, biochar increased base cations from both materials and reduced the concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in leachate solution from one material. However, in the material with greater toxic element content, biochar did not reduce concentrations of any measured dissolved toxic elements in leachate and resulted in a potentially detrimental release of Cd and Zn into solution at concentrations above that of the pure mine material. The length of time of effectiveness and specific sorption by biochar is variable by element and the toxic element concentration and acidity of the initial mine material.     

Effects of freezing–thawing cycle on peatland active organic carbon fractions and enzyme activities in the Da Xing’anling Mountains,Northeast China

Freezing–thawing cycle (FTC) is an important environmental factor affecting soil physicochemical properties and microbial activities. The effects of FTC at mid-high latitudes, especially in the permafrost regions impacted by global warming, have become a hot topic for research. However, the responses of active organic carbon fractions and soil enzyme activities to FTC in the active layers of permafrost regions remain far from certain. In this study, soil samples from three soil layers of (0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm) an undisturbed peatlands in Da Xing’anling Mountains, Northeast China, were collected, and then subjected to various FTCs with a large (10 to ?10 °C) and a small (5 to ?5 °C) amplitudes, respectively. Results showed that the soil active organic carbon fractions and enzyme activities were sensitive to FTCs. The FTCs significantly increased water-extracted organic carbon (WEOC) concentration in the three soil layers by approximately 5–28 % for the large amplitude and 22–36 % for the small amplitude. In contrast, FTCs significantly decreased microbial biomass carbon (MBC) concentration, cellulase, amylase and invertase activities. Overall, the damage of FTCs to soil enzymes was severe at the deeper soil depths and for the large amplitude. Interestingly, the soil WEOC concentration was lower at the large amplitude of FTC compared with the small amplitude. When the numbers of FTCs increased, WEOC concentration began to decrease and MBC concentration and enzyme activities began to increase. In addition, the significant correlations between active organic carbon fractions and enzyme activities indicate that the increased WEOC by FTCs plays an important role in soil microbes and enzyme activities.     

The human impact on the transformation of juniper forest landscape in the western part of the Pamir-Alay range (Tajikistan)

Detailed analyses were conducted of human impact on juniper forest landscapes occurring within the Zarafshan Range (Pamir-Alay). Juniperus seravschanica and J. semiglobosa belong to forest-forming species in Central Asia. At present, juniper forests all over Tajikistan are seriously threatened as a result of excessive logging and cattle grazing. The aim of this paper is to present juniper forest transformation as a result of human activities as well as the diversity of soil properties in the organic and humus horizons in the altitudinal system of soil zonation. Three groups of phytocoenoses were distinguished: those with a dominant share of Juniperus seravschanica; those with a dominant share of J. semiglobosa; and mixed. Associations with Juniperus seravschanica and J. semiglobosa feature several variants of phytocoenoses with dominant species: Artemisia lehmanniana, A. dracunculus, Eremurus olgae, Festuca sulcata, Ligularia thomsonii, Stipa turkestanica, Thymus seravschanicus, and Ziziphora pamiroalaica. The collected soil samples differ in their granulometric composition. Gravelly cobble fractions >2 mm are dominant; the share of sandy particles <2 mm is much lower (about 10–20%). Fraction 0.5–0.05 attains 35% on average. The Corg content of the soil varied from 0.26 to 11.40% in the humus horizon (A) and from 4.3 to 25% in the organic (O). Similar relationships were reported in the case of Ntot concentration. A clear relationship can be observed between concentrations of Corg and Ntot. Soil pH varied, ranging from very low acidic (pH 5.5) to neutral (pH 8.5). The content of available P varied; high concentrations were noted in organic (O) (40.46–211 mg kg^?1) and mixed horizons (OA) (2.61–119 mg kg^?1). Maximum accumulations of Pavail (1739.6 mg kg^?1) and Ptot (9696 mg kg^?1) were observed at a site heavily affected by intense grazing. Concentrations of Mgavail varied from 116 to 964 mg kg^?1. Most of the analysed soil profiles lacked an organic horizon; only thin humus occurred.     

The effect of long-term reclamation on enzyme activities and microbial community structure of saline soil at Shangyu, China

Reclamation of saline soil plays an important role in supporting high population growth in China. To evaluate the effects of reclamation and sustainability of salt-affected land production, soil chemical properties, enzyme activities, microbial community structure and function in sites reclaimed in 1976, 1984 and 1996 were characterized. The 2009 site was left to succession fallow and chosen as a control site. Results showed that electrical conductivity (EC) and pH decreased rapidly after the soil forming process started. An accumulation of soil organic C as a result of farming was observed. In all sites, inorganic N and available P were increased within 33 years after reclamation and commencement of agriculture. As a result of reclamation, soil enzyme activity (β-glucosidase, phosphatase, urease and arylsulfatase) was increased. There were no significant differences in soil enzyme activity between the sites reclaimed in 1976 and 1984, with the exception of phosphatase. Carbon source utilization patterns were less diverse in control soil than in treatment sites. The activities of reclamation resulted in synthesis of new phospholipid fatty acids (14:0, 17:1 c9, 16:0 2OH, 17:0 10Me, i17:0, 20:4 ω6c). Principal component analyses showed that the sites reclaimed in 1976 and 1984 clustered together and were distinct from 1996. Taken together, reclamation showed significantly increased soil quality and microbial activity. EC was the main limiting soil quality characteristic, which showed a comparative steady state after a reclamation time of 33 years. Differences in soil enzyme activity and microbial community function after long-term reclamation have potential to be reflected in soil functional integrity and ecosystem service.     

Swelling characteristics of compacted lateritic soil–bentonite mixtures subjected to municipal waste leachate contamination

Compacted soil–bentonite mixtures are finding wide application as buffer material for waste repositories for their favorable self-sealing qualities. The swelling properties of such materials which serve as a measure of their self-sealing capabilities and, thus, the efficiency of the repository in sealing off their contents from the environment are closely related to the chemistry of the leachate that emanate from the wastes. For this reason, the swelling parameters (namely swelling potential and pressure) of compacted lateritic soil–bentonite mixtures under consideration for use as barrier in municipal waste landfill were evaluated. Series of swelling potential and pressure tests were performed using variable content (0–10 %) of bentonite at predetermined optimum moisture content. Soil mixtures were compacted with British Standard Heavy compactive effort and saturated with processed tap water as well as three leachate solutions of varying ionic strength that were generated in active open dump landfills. Experimental results showed that swelling potential based on the free swell together with the maximum swell pressures of compacted soil mixtures measured at equilibrium increased approximately linearly with increase in the amount of bentonite when inundated with processed tap water and the three leachate solutions. On the other hand, these swelling parameters decreased as the ionic strength of the leachate solutions measured by their electrical conductivity increased for the various soil mixtures. These results provide an insight into the swelling behavior and the possible degradation in the efficiency of the proposed lateritic soil–bentonite mixtures in relation to their use as buffer material in waste landfills.     

Diffusion of municipal waste contaminants in compacted lateritic soil treated with bagasse ash

Compacted clay can minimize infiltration of liquid into waste or control the release of contaminated liquids to the surrounding soils and groundwater. Compacted lateritic soil treated with up to 12 % bagasse ash and municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate sourced from a domestic waste land fill were used in diffusion test studies to access the diffusion characteristics of some inorganic species present in the municipal solid waste leachate. Diffusion set-up were prepared containing 0, 4, 8 and 12 % bagasse ash—soil mixes compacted at 2 % wet of optimum using the modified proctor effort. The set up was saturated with water for 30 days before the introduction of MSW leachate and initiation of diffusion test for another 90 days. After diffusion testing, water content within the soil column showed a decrease with depth. Diffusion test results generally showed that diffusion is an active means of transport of chemical species even at very low flow rates in the compacted soil-bagasse ash mixes, and the effective diffusion coefficient is affected by bagasse ash. The pore fluid concentration profile for the various chemical species tested showed that the compacted soil-bagasse ash mix has the capacity to attenuate Ca²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions.     

NaOH-treated dead leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus racemosa</Emphasis> as an efficient biosorbent for Acid Blue 25 removal

A novel biosorbent synthesized from Ficus racemosa leaves based on the treatment using NaOH was applied for removal of Acid Blue 25 from aqueous solution. The synthesized biosorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. NaOH treatment was demonstrated to remove lignin content from the biomass and to induce the development of significant pores. Batch experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of important operating parameters such as pH (range of 2–10), biosorbent dose (range of 1–10 g/L), contact time (range of 0–5 h), initial dye concentration (range of 50–400 mg/L) and temperature (range of 293–323 K) on the extent of removal of Acid Blue 25. The established optimum conditions were pH of 2, biosorbent dose of 4 g/L, contact time of 3 h and temperature of 323 K, yielding maximum removal of dye. Pseudo-second-order model was found to best fit the kinetic data. Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models were found to best fit the equilibrium data. The obtained thermodynamic parameters confirmed endothermic and spontaneous nature of adsorption. The study established the utility of novel biosorbent for removal of Acid Blue 25 with higher adsorption capacities (83.33 mg/g) as compared to the more commonly used adsorbents. Desorption-adsorption  studies conducted for seven cycles indicated potential reusability of synthesized biosorbent for the treatment of dye effluents.     

Spatial variability of reconstructed soil properties and the optimization of sampling number for reclaimed land monitoring in an opencast coal mine

Drastically disturbed soils caused by opencast mining can result in the severe loss of soil structure and increase in soil compactness. To assess the effects of mining activities on reconstructed soils and to track the changes in reclaimed soil properties, the variability of soil properties (soil particle distribution, penetration resistance (PR), pH, and total dissolved salt (TDS)) in the Shanxi Pingshuo Antaibao opencast coal-mine inner dump after dumping and before reclamation was analyzed using a geostatistics method, and the number of soil monitoring points after mined land reclamation was determined. Soil samples were equally collected at 78 sampling sites in the study area with an area of 0.44 km². Soil particle distribution had moderate variability, except for silt content at the depth of 0–20 cm with a low variability and sand content at the depth of 20–40 cm with a high variability. The pH showed a low variability, and TDS had moderate variability at all depths. The variability of PR was high at the depth of 0–20 cm and moderate at the depth of 20–40 cm. There was no clear trend in the variance with increasing depth for the soil properties. Interpolation using kriging displayed a high heterogeneity of the reconstructed soil properties, and the spatial structure of the original landform was partially or completely destroyed. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) can be used to determine the number of sampling points for soil properties, and 40 is the ideal sampling number for the study site based on cross-validation.     

Fate and transport of pollutants through a municipal solid waste landfill leachate in Sri Lanka

This study focuses on the characterization of leachate generated from Gohagoda dumpsite in Kandy, Sri Lanka, assessment of its spatial and temporal variations, and identification of subsurface canals and perched water bodies in the wetland system affected by the leachate flow. Leachate samples were collected monthly throughout dry and rainy seasons from different points of the leachate drainage channel over a period of 1 year and they were tested for quality parameters: pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved soils, alkalinity, hardness, total solids, volatile solids, total suspended solids, volatile suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, phosphates, ammonium-nitrogen, chloride, dissolved organic carbon, total organic carbon and heavy metals. Sequential soil extraction procedures were performed for the characterization of leachate-affected local soil. A geophysical survey using direct current resistivity technique was conducted at locations downstream of the dumpsite. Leachate characteristics indicated that the leachate is in the methanogenic phase and the results strongly suggest that the leachate may be polluting the river where the leachate is discharged directly. Leachate exceeds the allowable limits of Sri Lankan wastewater discharge standards for many of the parameters. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed for most of organic and inorganic parameters among all sampling locations. Many parameters showed a negative correlation with pH. The affected soils showed high heavy metal concentrations. Resistivity study confirmed a confined leachate flow at the near surface with few subsurface canals. However, no separate subsurface plume movement was observed. The results of this research can effectively be used for the establishment of an efficient and effective treatment method for the Gohagoda landfill leachate.     

Distribution,stock, and influencing factors of soil organic carbon in an alpine meadow in the hinterland of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

Understanding the spatial distribution, stocks, and influencing factors of soil organic carbon (SOC) is important for understanding the current situation of SOC in alpine meadow ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP). We sampled 23 soil profiles to a depth of 50 cm in a 33.5 hm\(^{2}\) plot in a typical meadow on the central QTP. The distribution, stock and influencing factors of SOC was then analyzed. The mean density of soil carbon content (SOCD) was 2.28 kg m\(^{-2}\) with a range of 5.99 kg  m\(^{-2}\). SOCD in the 0–10 cm layer was 3.94 kg m\(^{-2}\) and decreased quadratically with depth. The total stock of SOC to a depth of 50 cm was ca. 2950 t, the 0–10 and 0–30 cm layers accounting for 38 and 80%, respectively. SOCD varied moderately spatially and was distributed more homogeneously in the 0–10 and 40–50 cm layers but was more variable in the middle three layers. SOCD was significantly correlated positively with soil-water content, total porosity, and silt content and negatively with soil pH, bulk density, stone content and sand content. This study provides an important contribution to understanding the role of alpine meadows in the global carbon cycle. It also provides field data for model simulation and the management of alpine meadow ecosystems.     

Arsenic mobility in weathered gold mine tailings under a low-organic soil cover

Historical gold mining operations in Nova Scotia, Canada, resulted in numerous deposits of publicly accessible, arsenic (As)-rich mine waste that has weathered in situ for 75–150 years, resulting in a wide range of As-bearing secondary minerals. The geochemical heterogeneity of this mine waste creates a challenge for identifying a single remediation approach that will limit As mobility. A 30-cm-thick, low-organic content soil cover was evaluated in a laboratory leaching experiment where, to simulate natural conditions, the equivalent of 2 years of synthetic rainwater was leached through each column and two dry seasons were incorporated into the leaching protocol. Each column was a stratigraphic representation of the four major tailings types found at the historical Montague and Goldenville gold mine districts: hardpan tailings, oxic tailings, wetland tailings, and high Ca tailings. Hardpan tailings released acidic, As-rich waters (max 12 mg/L) under the soil cover but this acidity was buffered by surrounding oxic tailings. Leachate from the oxic tailings was circumneutral, with average As concentrations between 4.4 and 9.7 mg/L throughout the experiment. The presence of carbonates in the high Ca tailings resulted in near-neutral to weakly alkaline leachate pH values and average As concentrations between 2.1 and 6.1 mg/L. Oxidation of sulfides in the wetland tailings led to acidic leachate over time and a decrease in As concentrations to values that were generally less than 1 mg/L. This study shows that the use of a low-organic content soil cover does not create reducing conditions that would destabilize oxidized, As-bearing secondary phases in these tailings. However, oxygen penetration through the cover during dry seasons would continue to release As to tailings pore waters via sulfide oxidation reactions.     

Analyses on a high leachate mound in a landfill of municipal solid waste in China

The leachate levels in the landfills in southern China are generally high. Field monitoring was carried out in the Suzhou landfill to investigate the leachate mound. The saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) of municipal solid waste were measured using samples taken from different depths of the landfill. Field monitoring reveals that a perched leachate mound and a substantial main leachate mound existed in the landfill. The saturated hydraulic conductivities of wastes in shallow, middle and deep depth were measured to be 4.81 × 10^?2, 3.50 × 10^?3 and 3.56 × 10^?4 cm/s, respectively. The results of SWCC tests show that the SWCC curve was steep when matric suction was low, and the shallower the waste the steeper would be the curve. In addition to the field and laboratory tests, an unsaturated–saturated seepage analysis was conducted to simulate the development of the high leachate mound and to calculate the annual leachate production. The simulated volumetric water content in the unsaturated zone was about 40 %, which agreed well with the test result. The calculated leachate mound was consistent with the field measurement. The calculated annual and daily leachate productions were all more reasonable than the results of the HELP model.     

Reducing leachable petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in weathered fuel oil contaminated soil by chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide

Number 6 fuel oil is one of the most used energy sources for electricity generation. However, leaks can contaminate soil and also groundwater due to leaching. At old sites, the oil may have low toxicity but still contaminate groundwater with foul-tasting compounds even at low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying H₂O₂ to reduce the leaching potential of a fuel oil contaminated soil. A silt-loam soil was collected from a contaminated thermal-electric plant with a hydrocarbon concentration of 3.2% in soil producing 4.3 mg/l in leachate. Hydrogen peroxide was applied (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2% dry weight basis), and petroleum hydrocarbons were measured in soil and leachate pre- and post-treatment (72 h). At first, the soil and leachate concentrations diminished linearly (24.4 and 27.3% in soil and leachate, respectively). This was followed by a phase in which the concentration in leachate diminished greatly (75.8%) although the concentration in soil was reduced only moderately (15.1%). Overall, hydrocarbons in leachates were reduced 82.4% even though concentrations in soil were only reduced 35.8%. Correlation analysis showed that at only 1.0% w/w H₂O₂ a concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in leachate safe for human consumption (≤ 1 mg/l) could be obtained even with a final hydrocarbon concentration in soil > 2%. Thus, this study presents an alternative strategy for remediation of fuel oil contaminated soils in urban environments that protects water sources by focusing on contamination in leachates, without spending extra financial resources to reduce the hydrocarbon concentration in low-toxicity soil.     

Optimization of novel hyperthermostable β amylase production by Bacillus subtilis DJ5 using solid agroresidual substrates

Eight different low cost starchy agroresidues namely Barley (B), Wheat bran (WB), Sattu (S), Rice powder (RP), Corn flour (CF), Rice husk (RH), Yellow peas split (YPS) and arrowroot (A) were used for solid culturing of Bacillus subtilis DJ5 for production of novel hyperthermostable β amylase. Various process parameters like initial moisture content, inoculum load, medium pH and incubation temperature affecting enzyme production were optimized to ensure maximum enzyme yield. Only 10 % inoculums load and medium pH of 6.9 was found sufficient to achieve maximum enzyme production in all substrates in a decreasing order, B > WB > S > RP > CF > RH > YPS > A. Optimum β amylase production was highly dependent on initial moisture content of substrate as observed from varying requirement of moisture for different substrates. Only 50 % moisture was sufficient for maximum enzyme production of 84.29 U/gdm in CF. For B, RH, YPS, and A 60 % initial moisture resulted in higher production of 120.34, 35.19, 26.59, and 21.58 U/gdm, respectively, at 37 °C. However, for S and RP higher (70 %) moisture content allowed 113.4 and 85.56 U/gdm enzyme production, respectively. Under optimized conditions, maximum β amylase production was observed after 25 h for A, YPS, RH, RP; 41 h for B, WB, CF, and 45 h for S.     

Tunisian landfill leachate treatment using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> sp.: effective factors and microalgae strain performance

The potential of the autoclaved Tunisian landfill leachate treatment using microalgae (Chlorella sp.) cultivation was investigated in this study. Landfill leachate was collected from Borj Chakir landfill, Tunisia. A full factorial experimental design 2² was proposed to study the effects of the incubation time and leachate ratio factors on the organic matter removal expressed in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₄─N) and on the biological response of Chlorella sp. expressed by the cell density and chlorophyll content. All experiments were batch runs at ambient temperature (25 ± 2 °C). The Chlorella sp. biomass and chlorophyll a concentrations of 1.2 and 5.32 mg L^?1, respectively, were obtained with 10% leachate spike ratio. The obtained results showed that up to 90% of the ammoniacal nitrogen in landfill leachate was removed in 10% leachate ratio spiked medium with a residual concentration of 40 mg L^?1. The maximum COD removal rate reached 60% within 13 days of incubation time indicating that microalgae consortium was quite effective for treating landfill leachate organic contaminants. Furthermore, with the 10% leachate ratio spiked medium, the maximum lipid productivity was 4.74 mg L^?1 d^?1. The present study provides valuable information for potential adaptation of microalgae culture and its contribution for the treatment of Tunisian landfill leachate.     

Reclamation of calcareous saline–sodic soil using different amendments: Time changes of soluble cations in leachate

Soil salinity and sodicity are escalating problems worldwide, especially in arid and semiarid regions. A laboratory experiment was conducted using soil column to investigate leaching of soluble cations during reclamation process of a calcareous saline–sodic soil (CaCO₃?=?20.7%, electrical conductivity (EC)?=?19.8 dS m^?1, sodium absorption ratio (SAR)?=?32.2[meq L^?1]^0.5). The amendments consisted of control, cattle manure (50 g kg^?1), pistachio residue (50 g kg^?1), gypsum (5.2 g kg^?1; equivalent of gypsum requirement), manure + gypsum and pistachio residue + gypsum, in three replicates which were mixed thoroughly with the soil, while sulfuric acid as an amendment was added to irrigation water. To reflect natural conditions, after incubation period, an intermittent irrigation method was employed every 30 days. The results showed that EC, SAR, and soluble cations of leachate for the first irrigation step were significantly higher than those of the subsequent leaching runs. Moreover, the concentration of removed soluble cations was lower for the control and gypsum-treated soils. It was found that among applied amendments, treatments containing cattle manure showed higher concentrations of sodium, calcium, and magnesium in the leachate, while due to pistachio residue application, further amount of potassium was removed out of soil column. The addition of pistachio residue resulted in the highest reduction in soil salinity and sodicity since the final EC and exchangeable sodium percentage dropped to 18.0% and 11.6% of their respective initial values, respectively. In the calcareous soil, solubility of gypsum found to be limited, in contrast, when it was added in conjunction with organic amendments, greater amounts of sodium were leached.