Remediation of Antimony-Arsenic Co-contaminated Soils in Mining Areas: Key Findings and Synergistic Effects of Amendments and Plants

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by researchers from Guizhou Normal University, with financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, The High-Level Talent Training Program in Guizhou Province, Guizhou Provincial Major Scientific and Technological Program, and Guizhou Provincial Key Technology RD Program, has shed light on the complex co-contamination of antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) in agricultural ecosystems and human health. The study focused on the combined application of amendments and phytoremediation technology to remediate Sb-As co-contaminated soil. The results demonstrated that the integrated use of amendments and plants increased soil nutrient content, enhanced soil enzyme activity, and reduced the bioavailable fractions of Sb and As.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the combined application of four amendments (lime, polyferric sulfate, biochar, and potassium humate) and two plant species (bermudagrass and plantain) increased soil nutrient content, including organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and alkaline nitrogen.
  • The combined use of amendments and plants reduced the bioavailable fractions of Sb and As by 27.17% and 20.95%, respectively, while increasing the residual fraction of Sb and As by 42.45% and 70.49%, respectively.
  • The integration of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and Random Forest (RF) models indicated that soil pH, organic matter, available phosphorus, and bioavailable fractions of Sb and As are key factors influencing the remediation effectiveness of Sb- and As-co-contaminated soils.
  • The study revealed that 1% HA combined with bermudagrass has strong potential for remediating Sb- and As-co-contaminated soils.
  • The researchers concluded that future research should focus on the evaluation of long-term remediation effects and further explore the remediation mechanisms and influencing factors.

Statistics:

  • The combined application of amendments and plants increased soil nutrient content by:

+ 14.72% in organic matter

+ 12.45% in total nitrogen

+ 15.28% in total phosphorus

+ 10.25% in total potassium

+ 18.19% in alkaline nitrogen

  • The reduction of bioavailable fractions of Sb and As were:

+ 27.17% for Sb

+ 20.95% for As

  • The increase in residual fractions of Sb and As were:

+ 42.45% for Sb

+ 70.49% for As

Sources:

  • Remediation of Antimony-arsenic Co-contaminated Soils In Mining Areas: Synergistic Interaction of Amendments and Plants Affects Soil Sb and As Bioavailability, Nutrient and Enzyme Activity. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 2025;38.
  • Xuexian Li, Guizhou Normal University, College of Agriculture, Guiyang 550025, People's Republic of China.
  • Yuezhong Chen, Pan Wu, Bozhang Li, and Ling Li.