Several materials and remediation techniques have been studied, mainly at the laboratory/greenhouse scale, but their success in the field may be limited. The management and remediation of contaminated soils pose significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges that require innovative, multidisciplinary approaches.
This session aims to present the most relevant advances: Soil health and mitigation of contaminating processes; Assessment and mapping of contaminated areas and their risk using classical techniques and digital tools and remote sensing; Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of techniques and materials (technosols, biochar, nanoparticles and other organic and inorganic amendments) for soil remediation processes and their environmental applications; Modelling the behaviour of potentially hazardous substances and nutrients in contaminated and remediated soils and waters; Monitoring and environmental response of ecosystems after implementation of remediation programmes; Legal frameworks and limitations of remediation strategies.
We invite colleagues to present studies and establish new partnerships to develop multidisciplinary strategies that can contribute to the assessment and remediation of contaminated sites.
The demand for energy-efficient groundwater remediation technologies has driven interest in Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) as a dual solution for contaminant degradation and energy production. Although laboratory-scale MFC studies have explored the interaction between microorganisms and electrode materials, the scalability of these systems for real-world applications in heterogeneous environments remains understudied. This study presents a highly controlled and monitored field-scale MFC design aimed at optimizing power output within a 1 x 1 x 6 m flow-through tank filled with porous medium and contaminated with diesel fuel. The system utilizes stainless steel electrodes with and without activated carbon filling and anaerobic bacteria to convert diesel into electrical energy through bioelectrochemical processes.
Experimental parameters—including water conductivity, flow rate, and dissolved oxygen—were held constant, while electrode material, spacing, and external resistance were systematically varied to assess their effects on power enhancement. Stainless steel electrodes emerged as the most efficient, with activated carbon reaching stable power output faster than other materials. The optimized configuration generated a stable power output of 1.1 W, coupled with an estimated degradation of 800 mg of diesel over 173 days. Additionally, microbial analysis indicated that exoelectrogenic bacteria adapted to sustain higher power generation without altering environmental conditions adversely.
This work demonstrates that electrode material and spatial arrangement are key to improving MFC power output and therefore remediation efficiencies in field-scale settings. The results advance the potential of MFCs as a sustainable technology for groundwater remediation and renewable energy generation, bridging the gap between lab-scale experimentation and practical environmental applications.
How to cite: Junginger, T., Tardio Ascarrunz, L., Ruiz Valencia, A., Vogel, T., Hasberg, L., Haslauer, C., and Kleinknecht, S.: From Contaminant to Current: Enhancing Large Scale Microbial Fuel Cells for Groundwater Remediation, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-2494, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-2494, 2025.
Food safety regulation on cadmium (Cd) in cocoa has led to new challenges for cocoa producers and supply chain actors. This is especially the case in the Andean countries of South America, where naturally elevated levels of Cd in soils are common, although with strong variations across and within cocoa growing areas. The combination of natural soil conditions, and the affinity of cacao trees for Cd, are the main reasons explaining the relatively high Cd concentrations in cacao beans.
Our research on Cd in cacao production systems has mainly focused on the following aspects: 1) understanding the spatial variation in Cd in cocoa and soils in cocoa growing areas through digital soil mapping; and 2) identifying soil management practices that can effectively lower cadmium uptake by plants. This presentation will provide an overview of the different research approaches, and how these can be integrated to enhance our understanding of the Cd uptake and mitigation in cocoa production systems. Results have shown that the use of organic and inorganic soil amendments can help to reduce Cd uptake by cacao trees. However, the effects are relatively slow and strongly soil- and amendment- specific, making it challenging to provide clear management recommendations to farmers.
Here we show how the combination of laboratory and pot experiments, field trials and geochemical modelling has been used to advance our understanding of the soil-plant relations affecting Cd accumulation in cocoa. The use of geochemical multi-surface models (MSMs), in combination with lab experiments using different soil amendments, revealed increases in pH as the main mechanism for decreasing Cd availability. We also showed that clay may represent a prompt buffer of Cd taken up by plants, thus reducing the effectiveness of soil amendments. Based on our work so far, we explain the often ambiguous effects of Cd mitigation strategies found in field studies in cacao. Finally, will identify and discuss the most promising strategies for Cd mitigation in cocoa production systems, as well as remaining research gaps.
How to cite: Pulleman, M. and the Clima-LoCa project team: Mitigating the effects of food safety regulation on cadmium in cacao – where do we stand?, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-7502, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-7502, 2025.
Precipitating cadmium in groundwater as sulfide using calcium polysulfide (CPS) has advantages over hydroxide precipitation, as it is less affected by pH variations and exhibits a lower solubility product constant. However, dissolved oxygen (DO) in groundwater can oxidize the precipitated cadmium sulfide (CdS), leading to its remobilization. From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the long-term stability of cadmium precipitated by CPS and to elucidate the stabilization mechanisms.
First, under anoxic conditions, Cd²⁺ (100 mg/L) was completely precipitated as CdS by adding CPS. The precipitates were then oxidized in ambient air in two different conditions: (1) with the supernatant (SN) and (2) without the supernatant (in deionized water, DI). Both conditions were subjected to stirring at 250 rpm to maximize DO contact. After 27 days of exposure, the Cd release was only 4.2% in SN, while in DI, 60.5% of the Cd2+ was re-dissolved, indicating more than 10 times greater dissolution. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the Cd in SN remained consistent with the CdS reference peaks. Based on the measurements of pH, DO, ion chromatography (IC), and zeta potential results, it was concluded that polysulfide (Sx2-) and bisulfide (HS-) in the SN supernatant reacted with DO, preventing CdS oxidation. Moreover, the formation of elemental sulfur (S0) from Sx2- and HS- oxidation contributed to physical sequestration, which inhibited the dissolution of CdS. The experiments were conducted under higher DO levels than typical groundwater, creating a more oxidative environment. Thus, our research suggests that CPS could effectively stabilize cadmium in groundwater, with minimal risk of remobilization under the presence of DO.
How to cite: Yoon, S., Jeong, S., and Nam, K.: Re-dissolution of Cadmium Sulfide formed by Calcium Polysulfide in the Presence of Dissolved Oxygen, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-7564, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-7564, 2025.
With global sewage sludge production projected to surge to 68 million tons by 2050 from the current 45 million tons of dry solids, the need for effective management is more pressing than ever. The complex composition of sewage sludge, particularly the presence of heavy metals (HMs), poses significant challenges for sustainable management. The improper handling of this metal-laden sludge can lead to HMs entering various trophic levels of the ecosystem, including humans and animals. Therefore, the removal of HMs from the sludge is a critical step before direct land application. The current study evaluated the potential of removing HMs (Cu, Fe, and Zn) from two different types of sludge samples. The municipal and industrial sludge samples were collected from the Nesapakkam Sewage Treatment Plant (NSTP) and Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, India, respectively. Bioleaching studies were carried out at a reactor working volume of 150 mL, and dry sludge (2 % (w/v)). The initial concentration of Cu, Fe, and Zn in the MSTP and CETP raw sludge were 304.91 mg/kg and 184.21 mg/kg; 2211.86 mg/kg and 1127.84 mg/kg; and 709.47 mg/kg and 476.71 mg/kg, respectively. The removal efficiencies of Cu, Fe, and Zn were 72.12 % and 67 %, 79.70 % and 77.98 %, and 89.01 % and 86.34 % for NSTP and CETP sludge, respectively. After bioleaching, the concentration of Cu (85.02 and 60.79 mg/kg), Fe (449.07 mg/kg and 248.4 mg/kg), and Zn (79.58 mg/kg and 65.10 mg/kg) in the treated sludge were within the permissible limit of Indian Standards for both types of sludge, making it safer for further disposal. Furthermore, chemical fractionation using the Sequential Extraction Procedure could be carried out to find the bioavailability of all three metals and the potential reasons behind different removal of the metals for both types of sludge samples. This study reveals that the proposed bioleaching process using sulphur-oxidizing bacteria effectively removes HMs, and produces sludge with reduced metal toxicity, thereby helping in sustainable sludge management.
How to cite: Pooja, P. and Philip, L.: Bioleaching and Chemical Fractionation of Heavy Metals from Municipal and Industrial Dewatered Sewage Sludge, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-9260, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-9260, 2025.
The characterization of contaminated sites is composed of both the definition of the regions impacted by contamination and by the pathways that can transport this contamination offsite thus substantiating the risk of contact with possible receptors. Both goals may benefit from the application of non-invasive techniques, provided that solid relationships are established between the geophysically-measured quantities (e.g. electrical conductivity) and the state variables of interest, being them related to water presence and flow (for pathway characterization) or to contaminant presence. The latter is by far the most challenging aspect of non-invasive characterization of contaminated sites. The reason is twofold: (a) the physical signal induced by the presence of contaminant is usually very small per se, and (b) spatial and temporal variations of geophysical parameters in the subsurface may be linked to other factors than contamination itself, such as lithology and hydrological state of the system. Therefore, in order to exploit the information content of geophysical data, ancillary information is needed, relevant to both the spatial heterogeneity in lithology and hydrogeological state and to the contamination state, where measured. The advantage of geophysics, however, lies in its capability of providing high-resolution spatial coverage, potentially in 3D, thus zoning reliably the different portions of the subsurface, including contaminated versus uncontaminated, and avoiding the pitfalls of insufficient spatial sampling, typical of direct investigations: spatial aliasing in geophysical data is minimal, as opposed to its being the norm in direct investigations. A combination of direct and non-invasive investigations is thus optimal. In this contribution we describe the spatial mapping of contamination at a well-known contaminated site in Trecate, NW Italy, which was affected in 1994 by crude oil contamination. Ever since, in-depth analyses of extensive data have shown how a correlation exists between residual oil contamination in the smear zone and a measurable increase in electrical conductivity, linked to the biological activity triggered by the carbon source availability. The use of spatially extensive Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) and ERT surveys allows a full detailed mapping of the contamination in the deep vadose zone in correlation with the sparse direct investigation results. This study was developed in the frame of “The Geosciences for Sustainable Development” project (Budget Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca–Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2023–2027 C93C23002690001).
How to cite: Cassiani, G., Godio, A., Ciampi, P., Boaga, J., Peruzzo, L., Pavoni, M., and Carrera, A.: Estimation of spatial extent of mature hydrocarbon contamination in the subsoli: the Trecate case study., EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-9548, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-9548, 2025.
Title: Institutional, legal and financial contexts to restoration of contaminated soils in the European Union (EU)
Authors: Teodora Todorcic Vekic1, Robert B. Menson1, Jenny Norrman1, Lars Rosen1, Linda Maring2
1Chalmers University of Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, Gothenburg, Sweden
2Deltares, PoBox 85467, 3508 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
Abstract
In order to meet both the short- and long-term objectives of the European Union’s Soil Strategy, remediation of contaminated soils is necessary to reduce soil pollution and create a toxic-free environment. Efforts are being made by Member States to remediate contaminated sites in their respective countries, but they are often constrained by different institutional, legal and financial contexts, facing very country specific barriers in remediation efforts and later reuse of contaminated sites.
In this study we discuss technical, financial, social, institutional and economic barriers that EU countries face when remediation of contaminated soils in their respective countries takes place and how they might be overcome. Our study included countries from the EU's Horizon Europe-funded ISLANDR projects consortium: five EU member states (Finland, France, Netherlands, Cyprus, and Poland) and one non-member state (Kosovo). Specific case studies of remediation examples from consortium countries were used to provide further insight of present contexts and frameworks when put in practice. Data on barriers countries face and possible solutions to overcome those barriers were collected through series of interviews, workshops and surveys of consortium members and relevant actors. Barriers were listed into 11 categories, including: planning, communication, stakeholder involvement, experts, policy and legislation, political barriers, costs, taxation, risk assessment and liability, enablers/drivers, site ownership, mass management and invasive species. Most commonly identified barriers to remediation of soil for all countries were associated with (1) costs to remediation, (2) weak and incoherent institutional and legal frameworks, (3) lack of interest (no urge to anticipate cessation of use) and (4) uncertainty in the planning process and subsequently costs for redevelopment and maintenance. Implementing (i) increase of investments in research and development, (ii) initiation and implementation of subsidies, tax reductions and loans schemes for developers, (iii) connecting remediation to urban planning areas according to soil quality and soil health were found to be primary measures to overcome identified barriers for a more sustainable soil management across Europe.
This study highlights the importance of collaborative efforts that countries can employ to establish or update their existing institutional, legal and financial framework(s) for remediation of contaminated sites in the EU, depending on their respective levels of institutional advancement.
Key words: brownfields, soil policy, governance
How to cite: Todorcic Vekic, T., Menson, R. B., Norrman, J., Rosen, L., and Maring, L.: Institutional, legal and financial contexts to restoration of contaminated soils in the European Union (EU), EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-12551, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-12551, 2025.
Leachate from industrial and municipal solid waste landfills is a complex and unique fluid usually subject to regulatory regimes for characterization and treatment. Due to increasing urbanization and the location of many landfill sites near other industrial sources, it is not always trivial to trace downstream pollution back to a landfill source. In addition, many landfills have insufficient control over the water flowing into and out of the waste body, complicating mass balance calculations. The aim of this contribution is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the isotope systems of boron (δ11B), strontium (87/86Sr), and dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13C-DIC) as tracers of Norwegian landfill leachate.
The studied isotopic systems were selected based on parameters including types of waste and composition of leachate, local geology, local hydrology, and the presence and type of other nearby pollution sources. In this study, we present the results of more than 15 years of δ13C-DIC measurements at selected Norwegian landfills. We combine these data with δ11B and 87/86Sr measurements of landfill leachate from Norwegian landfills, in combination with measurements from groundwater and freshwater bodies near the landfill sites. We discuss challenges in δ11B determination as well as evaluate the utility of δ11B and 87/86Sr as leachate tracers at the studied sites as supplements to δ13C-DIC. Increased understanding of the behavior of landfill leachate can lead to more targeted remediation measures and a benefit for landfill operators, local communities, and the environment.
How to cite: Schöpke, C. A., Devegowda, V., and Johansen, I.: Identifying Landfill Leachate in Environmental Samples Using a Triple Isotope Approach - δ13C, δ11B and 87/86Sr in Norwegian Landfill Leachate, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-15794, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-15794, 2025.
Soil contamination by heavy metals pose a significant threat to “One Health” (Ecological and human health). It results from a complex interplay of geogenic (natural) and anthropogenic (human-induced) factors. The growing concerns about toxicity and potential risks arising due to heavy metals has prompted us to carry out investigation in Malwa region of Punjab State, India. In the present research work, the concentrations of heavy metals (Aluminum [Al], Strontium [Sr], Cadmium [Cd], Antimony [Sb], Lead [Pb], Bismuth [Bi], Uranium [U], Chromium [Cr], Manganese [Mn], Iron [Fe], Cobalt [Co], Copper [Cu], Zinc [Zn], Arsenic [As], and Selenium [Se]) in collected soil samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), alongside key physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, soil texture, and major nutrient levels, measured through standard analytical techniques.
The results revealed that the mean concentrations of Cd, Bi, Zn, As and Se exceeded their concentration values in the Earth's crust. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that metals such as Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, K, Sr, Bi, Mn, Co, U, Cd, and As were predominantly of geogenic origin. In contrast, Cr, Cu, Zn, Sb, and Pb were primarily associated with anthropogenic activities. Agricultural practices were found to influence the contamination, as evidenced by elevated levels of nitrate (NO3), phosphate (PO4), sodium (Na), and pH in the soils.
The ecological risk assessments showed that Cd, Bi, As, and Se could pose significant contamination risks. Meanwhile, human health risk assessment indicates low carcinogenic risks for adults and moderate risks for children. This study also highlights the urgent need for targeted remediation strategies and enforcement of regulatory measures to mitigate heavy metal contamination and safeguard “One Health”.
How to cite: Chauhan, N., Singh, J., Krause, S., Dehbandi, R., Toor, A. P., Patnaik, R., and Srivastava, A.: Identifying Sources of Heavy Metal Contamination in Soil and it’s Implications on One Health, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-18612, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-18612, 2025.
Increasing water consumption, industrial pollution, and long dry periods – these are all water resource challenges that highlight the growing importance of the transition towards a circular economy for the soil-sediment-water system. As described by the European Green Deal call, pollution by persistent, mobile and potentially toxic (PM(T)) substances is often a systemic problem. It is related to the ways of production, use, and emission of these chemicals and is aggravated by missing technical solutions and monitoring techniques in the soil-sediment-water system. This poses challenges for regulatory authorities to develop or enforce effective policies throughout their lifecycle. The Horizon 2020 project PROMISCES aims to increase the circularity of resources by providing an array of solutions to minimize risks posed by these substances in the soil-sediment-water system. To achieve this overall goal, a key objective was to integrate newly developed and/or optimized solutions into the PROMISCES Decision Support Framework (DSF).
To this end, we developed the solutions module of this integrated Decision Support Framework to assess systematic solutions for PM(T) substances, including PFAS in the circular economy, which is an important step towards realizing the European Zero Pollution ambition. The solutions module within the DSF presents a way of thinking and allows users to identify solutions at four levels: prevention, monitoring, risk assessment and treatment. Included solutions are based on the work from PROMISCES project. Other solutions such as PM(T) substances alternative assessment from our sister project ZeroPM, the European Union, the NORMAN network, The Swedish Centre for Chemical Substitution, CompTox Chemicals dashboard, PubChem and the UPWATER project are also mentioned and/or linked, where relevant.
We applied the solutions module for five substance-use combinations including PFAS, to assist decision-makers in the risk management of PM(T) substances. Additionally, we applied the module for three circular economy routes to investigate diverse circular solutions developed in the project: A) Semi-closed water cycle for drinking water supply, B) Wastewater reuse for agricultural irrigation and C) Nutrient recovery from treated sludge for fertilizers. The effective implementing of these technical solutions requires broad and active stakeholder engagement to not only define the local and technical challenges posed by PFAS and other industrial PM(T) substances, but also to identify the social, economic, and governance barriers to implementation. Hence, through four co-creation workshops we gathered the perspectives from multiple stakeholders on systematic solutions to manage PM(T) substances. A successful solution strategy for the safe implementation of the circular economy and the management of PM(T) substances is one that is delivered at all levels and through the cooperation of multiple stakeholders to achieve the common goal of facilitating the implementation of the Zero Pollution and Circular Economy Action Plans.
The integrated DSF was developed as a digital tool featuring multiple other functionalities for managing PM(T)s, such as assessing and diagnosing specific potential PM(T) substances. This tool will be integrated into the NORMAN Database System as part of its tool collection, ensuring its long-term maintenance and accessibility.
How to cite: Narain-Ford, D., Hof, M., Naus, F., Carter, K., Bosch, C., Sgroi, M., Boucard, P., Cavelan, A., Ribarova, I., Ribalta, M., and Hartmann, J.: Integrated Decision Support Framework: Solutions to minimize risks posed by PM(T) substances in the soil-sediment-water system, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-20390, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-20390, 2025.
Arsenic is one of the most common toxic heavy metals that is found in groundwater, and it is a common contaminant encountered in water resources. Conventionally, Zero-Valent Iron (ZVI) is utilized by various mechanisms for the treatment of arsenic. ZVI is a material characterized as having a high adsorption capacity and availability; characteristics that make it an efficient reactive reagent. In comparison, the rising alternative media based on graphene and its derivative nanomaterials, such as magnetite-reduced graphene oxide (MrGO), are less conventionally utilized. In this study, a comparative evaluation of arsenic treatment from water having different arsenic species and concentrations is carried out using both ZVI and synthesized MrGO to evaluate arsenic removal efficiencies and adsorption capacities. Selected media’s interaction with the contaminant and removal performance of the inorganic arsenic species (As(III) and As(V)) are analyzed in detail, with a focus on the preference and species interaction with the media. Kinetic and equilibrium batch studies of synthesized MRGO and ZVI reactive media are being conducted separately, as well as using several combinations of MrGO and ZVI at differing ratios. Speciation characteristics and adsorption preference of the synthesized nanocomposite media will provide insight into the effective removal of total arsenic and its individual forms for process optimization. This study will also give a broader view of the adsorption mechanism and inorganic arsenic chemistry in the presence of different forms of iron and iron oxides, amongst other environmental factors. Comparative and combinational studies are expected to demonstrate the potential of MrGO for arsenic adsorption as a supporting material that can easily be implemented in existing conventional infrastructure in order to achieve more efficient and higher arsenic removal rates.
How to cite: Elkawefi, O. A. I. M., Çelebi, S., Şenol, A., Şengör, S. S., Ertaş, G., and Ünlü, K.: A Comparative Evaluation of Magnetite Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite and Zero-Valent Iron for Arsenic Removal from Water, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-10076, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-10076, 2025.
Posters on site: Thu, 1 May, 08:30–10:15 | Hall X3
Illegal industrial discharges of heavily contaminated effluents are of great concern as they occur under uncontrolled conditions. In most cases these effluents are very acidic, a cocktail of organic and/or inorganic molecules, eventually with high concentrations of heavy metals. This project aims the design of sustainable permeable biobarriers, defined by fungal and bacterial biofilms supported on low-cost materials as natural zeolites or residues of agro-forestry activities to be applied in environmental restoration and to reintroduce the used elements/molecules into the circular economy processes.
The present study is focused on soil protection by permeable barriers made of 13X zeolite or vermiculite, supporting a fungal isolate collected near a river basin, genetically typed by DNA sequencing and identified as belonging to the Alternaria alternata species. These matrices were tested to retain chromium and lead and were investigated at different sorbent dosages, pH and initial metal concentration.
Batch equilibrium and kinetic sorption experiments were performed using both metals solutions, with concentrations among 50 mg L-1 and 200 mg L-1, at pH 2 and 5, between 2 h and 288 h. To evaluate the sorption equilibrium, eight isotherm models were fitted. Better adjustments were observed for the Redlich-Peterson and the Khan models, for the adsorption of chromium (R2 = 0.99) and of lead (R2 = 0.99), respectively. The sorption kinetics was evaluated using three models – Elovich, Pseudo first order and an empirical power function. The retention of lead was almost instantaneous and the empirical power function described better the sorption kinetics of chromium (0.89 < R2 < 0.99). In addition, flow experiments were performed with effluents of both metals (50 mg L-1) at pH 2 and 5, for about 90 h. Results revealed a high retention of chromium, and a weak retention of lead, for low pH values. FTIR analyses to the columns samples revealed that clay minerals have an important role in the retention of both metals.
How to cite: Tavares, T. and Brito, A.: Sustainable biobarriers for soil protection– rehabilitation and recycling, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-10863, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-10863, 2025.
In the last years, the consumption of antibiotics increased significantly and due to their poor absorption in the digestive tract, these antimicrobials are excreted by feces and urine, causing their entry into the environment. β-lactams are the most common antibiotics found in waste and surface water and quinolones are also emerging groups of antibiotics. One of the environmental compartments where these antimicrobials can reach is the soil, due to the use of sewage sludge as fertilizers for agricultural soils. This study aims to determine the capacity of six soils with different physicochemical properties to adsorb three antibiotics, two B-lactams (amoxicillin and cefuroxime) and a quinolone (azithromycin) when added simultaneously and compare it to when they appear individually. For this purpose, batch experiments were carried out, adding increasing concentrations (0; 2.5; 5; 10; 20; 30; 40; 50 µmol L-1) of the three antibiotics into 2 grams of soil. Finally, the antibiotic concentration in equilibrium solution was measured by HPLC-UV.
The results indicated that azithromycin exhibited the highest adsorption values in soils, followed by cefuroxime and lastly amoxicillin. Soil properties can affect the adsorption, it is noted that the ones with higher pH adsorbed more azithromycin and cefuroxime. However, in the case of amoxicillin, the opposite occurs, with low-pH soils showing the highest adsorption values. Comparing the results obtained when the three antibiotics were added together with those observed when they were added individually, amoxicillin adsorption by soils increased in presence of cefuroxime and azithromycin, ranged the percentages from 49% to 76% in simple system and from 44% to 88% in ternary system. However, the adsorption of the other two decreased when added simultaneously, indicating the existence of competition between them. In the case of cefuroxime, adsorption percentages oscillated between 79% and 99% in simple system and between 43% and 96% in ternary system and for azithromycin, in simple system the adsorption percentage was 100% in all cases, while in ternary system these values oscillated between 42% and 100%. Adsorption results were adjusted to Freundlich and Linear models and five out of six soils studied achieved a good adjustment, since they presented R2>0.9. Regarding desorption, amoxicillin was the antibiotic which presented the higher desorption values, reaching values of up to 7.68% (simple system) and 29.21% (ternary system) for the highest concentration of antibiotic added. In the case of cefuroxime, the maximum desorption reached 8% (simple system) and 3% (ternary system) and azithromycin presented null desorption in the most cases. In conclusion, amoxicillin was the only antibiotic favoured by the presence of the other two antibiotics, as an increase in adsorption was observed. However, desorption also increased, indicating that the formed bonds are weaker.
How to cite: Cela Dablanca, R., Míguez González, A., Barreiro, A., Rodríguez López, L., Arias Estévez, M., Núñez Delgado, A., Álvarez Rodríguez, E., and Fernández Sanjurjo, M. J.: Capacity of Agricultural Soils for the Simultaneous Adsorption of Amoxicillin, Cefuroxime, and Azithromycin, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-11401, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-11401, 2025.
The discovery of antibiotics represented an important advance, reducing significantly the mortality from infectious diseases. However, the increase in their consumption is leading to the detection of these antimicrobials in different environmental compartments, such as soils and water. Soil often serves as the primary sink for pollutants, but it can also become a source of emissions when its retention capacity is surpassed. Once these emerging contaminants reach the soil, their behaviour will depend on both the properties of the antibiotics and those of the soil. Adsorption has been recognized as a promising technique for the removal of pharmaceuticals. However, some soils have a low capacity to adsorb these contaminants, making it interesting to study the use of low-cost bioadsorbents that can enhance the adsorption capacity of these soils. Previous studies examined the capacity of mussel shell, ash, and pine bark to adsorb antibiotics such as amoxicillin, cefuroxime, and azithromycin. However, how these antibiotics behave when are present simultaneously, as they occur in the environment, has not been studied. This work studies the capacity of the three bioadsorbents mentioned before to adsorb amoxicillin, cefuroxime and azithromycin simultaneously and compare it with the data obtained in simple system (when added individually). Therefore, batch experiments were carried out by adding increasing concentrations of antibiotic (0; 2.5; 5; 10; 20; 30; 40; 50 μmol L-1) into 0.5 grams of bioadsorbent. Finally, the antibiotic concentration in equilibrium solution was measured by HPLC-UV.
The results obtained showed that when the three antibiotics were added together, ash adsorbed 100% of them, while in the simple system these percentages decreased up to 89.7%, 98.56% and 28.25% for amoxicillin, cefuroxime and azithromycin respectively. In the case of mussel shell, the opposite effect occurs, adsorption was lower when three antibiotics were added together, decreasing the percentages (when 50 μmol L-1 were added) from 48.15% to 46.86% in the case of amoxicillin, from 76.65% to 40.89% for cefuroxime and from 55.82% to 26.79% for azithromycin. Finally, in the case of pine bark, amoxicillin adsorption was
significantly higher in the ternary system (85.33%) compared to the simple system (29.38%). However, for cefuroxime and azithromycin, adsorption was higher in the simple system than in the ternary system, ranging from 58.59% to 46.68% for cefuroxime and from 36.58% to 0% for azithromycin. Adsorption data were adjusted to Linear and Freundlich model, but only mussel shell obtained a good adjustment (R2>0.9) for both models. Regarding desorption, cefuroxime and azithromycin desorption was significantly lower in ternary system than in simple system while for amoxicillin occurs the opposite, being the desorption higher in ternary system. It is observed that mussel shell exhibited desorption values below 12% in all cases, while these values reached 59% for pine bark with cefuroxime in the simple system and up to 91% for ash with azithromycin, also in the simple system. However, in ternary system, desorption is lower than 4% in most cases. In conclusion, ash was the best bioadsorbent to retain the three antibiotics simultaneously.
How to cite: Alvarez-Rodríguez, E., Cela-Dablanca, R., Míguez-González, A., Barreiro, A., Rodríguez-López, L., Arias-Estevez, M., Nuñez-Delgado, A., and Fernández-Sanjujo, M. J.: Simultaneous Adsorption of Amoxicillin, Cefuroxime and Azithromycin onto Natural Bioadsorbents: Mussel Shell, Pine Bark and Ash, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-12245, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-12245, 2025.
Antibiotics are essential for treating infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants, but their massive use in recent decades, together with their low absorption by the body, has led to their presence in water and soil, representing a serious threat to human health and ecosystems. The main risks include the proliferation of resistant bacteria, ecotoxicity, and their incorporation into the food chain. The average total consumption of systemic antibacterial agents in Europe in 2022 was estimated at 17.8 daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day in hospitals, with a very similar value for consumption outside hospitals. Up to 90% of ingested antibiotics are excreted through feces and urine, accumulating in slurry pits or sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants. Once in the soil, these compounds can degrade, leach, or be retained, preventing their transfer to water and plants. However, these processes depend on the properties of the soil and the antibiotic. The adsorption method, as an environmental control of these drugs, is the one that presents the most advantages since it is simple, low-cost, highly efficient, non-polluting, and renewable. Consequently, this work is going to study the retention capacity of two forestry residues (pine bark and oak ash) and one food residue (mussel shell) to retain three antibiotics widely used in human medicine (amoxicillin, trimethoprim, and ciprofloxacin). Batch-type experiments were conducted, adding increasing concentrations (0–400 µmol/L) of the three antibiotics in both single (individual) and binary systems, that is, two at a time in all combinations. Additionally, the adsorption results were fitted to the Freundlich isotherms.
The results show that in all systems, simple and binary, ash is the most effective for adsorbing amoxicillin (with rates close to 100% in competitive systems), and there is virtually no desorption, indicating its suitability as an adsorbent for this drug. Pine bark retains almost the entire amount of ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim added in all cases and desorbs very little trimethoprim (desorption rate lower than 5% for all added concentrations of trimethoprim and below 20% for the two highest added concentrations of ciprofloxacin), making it an interesting adsorbent for trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin (the latter at high doses). Although ash and mussel shells also adsorb a high proportion of ciprofloxacin (adsorption rates higher than 50%), desorption is high, especially at low added doses, meaning that ash and mussel shells could be used for higher doses. In general, for all antibiotics and systems, the least suitable bioadsorbent is the shell due to the high desorption rates it exhibits. The results suggest a limited competition between the three antibiotics for the adsorption sites of the bioadsorbents; conversely, it is more common to observe a synergistic effect of ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim on amoxicillin in the case of the pine bark, and of amoxicillin on ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim in ash. The results showed a good fit to the Freundlich isotherms, with an R² greater than 0.92 in all cases.
How to cite: Míguez González, A., Cela Dablanca, R., Barreiro, A., Rodríguez López, L., Arias Estévez, M., Núñez Delgado, A., Álvarez Rodríguez, E., and Fernández Sanjurjo, M. J.: Adsorption/Desorption and competition of amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim on the sites of three bioadsorbents., EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-12443, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-12443, 2025.
Coastal areas with a sandy texture, classified as arenosols, are characterised by sediments of marine origin, and support halophilic vegetation and a distinctive ecosystem. These areas are often included in urbanised regions and are popular recreational destinations (e.g. for bathing, games and rest), offering a high level of interaction with people. These environments are susceptible to the effects of marine erosion, which alters the composition of coastal profiles, thus necessitating restoration efforts that utilise materials with granulometries and colours from diverse origins. The regulatory framework governing the quality of sandy materials employed in beach nourishment, irrespective of their provenance, whether continental or marine, is stringent with respect to the content of potential toxic elements (PTEs) and other potential pollutants. However, it is noteworthy that the original beach material may be subject to geogenic or anthropogenic contamination, resulting in elevated levels of PTEs. This poses a health risk to individuals if they remain in contact with the affected sand for extended periods. Consequently, conducting a risk analysis is recommended, as outlined by the USEPA. The bioaccessible values of the PTEs in question should be utilised instead of the total values, as recommended (USEPA, 2004).
The need for a monitoring programme is therefore justified, including the establishment of the geogenic levels of sandy soils and the bioaccessibility of the ETPs, indicating the anomalous areas and their environment of influence.
The Mar Menor, a lagoon of significant tourist and environmental interest located in the south-eastern region of Spain within the Region of Murcia, is a priority focus due to the critical environmental challenges it faces, including the impact of abandoned mining areas in the vicinity.
For this purpose, a sampling was carried out on the coast of the Mar Menor, with a total of 50 samples, establishing the mineralogical groups, the content in PTEs (Pb, Cu, As, Zn, Cd) and obtaining the bioaccessible values.
The methodology employed was analogous to that utilised in the determination of background levels in soils of the Region of Murcia (Martinez Sanchez and Perez Sirvent, 2008), with the exception of the sampling design, which was restricted to the selected area. The results obtained corroborate the primary hypotheses and substantiate the necessity to incorporate underwater samples to validate the implications of pollutant sources. The study also incorporates the transfer to aquatic organisms, such as gastropods and bivalves, which are prevalent in these environments, as they are part of the trophic chain and due to the environmental implications they have.
Mineralogy is a significant factor in the bioaccessibility of PTEs, with calcite being the mineral with the highest percentage of bioaccessibility.
References
Martínez Sánchez, M.J. and Pérez Sirvent, C., (2007). Niveles de fondo y niveles genéricos de referencia de metales pesados en suelos de la Región de Murcia. 306 pp.
U.S. EPA, RAGS (2004). EPA/540/R/99/005 OSWER 9285.7-02EP PB99-963312.
This study forms part of the ThinkInAzul programme and was supported by MCIU with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1)and by CARM-Fundación Séneca
How to cite: Pérez-Sirvent, C., Martínez Sanchez, M. J., Martinez Martinez, L. B., Hernandez Perez, C., Hernandez Cordoba, M., Bech, J., Esteban, M. D. L. A., Guardiola, F., Hernández Rodriguez, L., and Martínez Lopez, S.: Background values and bioaccessibility of PTEs in beaches of the Mar Menor, SE Spain. , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-13138, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-13138, 2025.
This study evaluates the growth and adaptation of the endemic and endangered halophyte Limonium daveaui Erben, native to the Tagus estuary (Portugal), within severely degraded soils from two distinct environments: gossan wastes contaminated with potentially hazardous elements (PHE) from the São Domingos mine, and saline soils from a degraded estuarine area. A microcosm assay was conducted with four substrate treatments: (i) gossan waste, (ii) amended gossan composite soil, (iii) Salic Fluvisol, and (iv) amended Salic Fluvisol. The amendments comprised organic and inorganic waste materials. Results revealed that both untreated gossan waste and saline soil exhibited extreme physicochemical challenges for plant growth, including high salinity, low organic matter, and elevated concentrations of PHE. However, the application of amendments significantly improved soil properties, mitigating these adverse conditions. Enhanced enzymatic activity was observed in amended soils, with enzymatic responses varying by substrate type. In the amended soils, plant biomass (both shoots and roots) doubled, flower production increased significantly, and nutrient cycling was optimized through salt gland activity, which facilitated the excretion of Na without accumulating PHE in salts. Despite these improvements, plants grown in amended gossan soils exhibited levels of As and Pb concentrations in their shoots that exceeded toxic thresholds for plants. These findings highlight the physiological adaptations of halophytes, particularly the role of salt glands in regulating ionic balance and enabling survival in saline and metal(loid)-contaminated environments. The study emphasizes the potential of combining halophyte cultivation with targeted soil amendments as a sustainable strategy for ecological restoration of degraded lands and the conservation of endangered species.
How to cite: Abreu, M. M., Aguilar-Garrido, A., Vidigal, P., and Caperta, A. D.: Sustainable restoration of endangered Limonium daveaui Erben: overcoming mining waste and saline soil challenges with soil organic and inorganic amendments , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-13973, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-13973, 2025.
Landfills contribute to serious problems in our society, including toxic leachates contaminating groundwater and soil, methane and CO₂ emissions, and infrastructure damage caused by the degradation of organic material.
Brånåsen landfill, located in the municipality of Lillestrøm, Norway, is situated in an old ravine within marine deposits. The area is currently utilized for residential, agricultural, and recreational purposes. The landfill has caused numerous challenges since its closure in 1991, including methane gas emissions and damage to residential properties, resulting in stress on residents, lawsuits, and significant compensation costs.
In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on Brånåsen landfill to delineate its outer borders with Electrical resistivity tomografy (ERT) and assess methane gas emissions.
Electromagnetic (EM) surveys offer fast mapping of ground conductivity, making it possible to cover a larger area over a short period of time compared to ERT surveys. Where ERT is relying on good connection with the grounds surface, EMmeasurements can be executed independent of surface material, making it a potential substitute and/or addition to ERT measurements. This study focuses on mapping the outer borders of the landfill using the Geonics EM34-3 and EM38-MK2 instruments. Brånåsdalen landfill provides an ideal site for testing this method due to previous research and the area’s diverse usage. Agricultural land offers an environment with minimal cultural noise, while residential and park areas test the limits of the equipment’s effectiveness in noisier conditions. The data collected from the electromagnetic (EM) survey is compared with previous research utilizing Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and maps of the assumed borders developed by Norconsult.
The EM34-3 was deployed in both horizontal and vertical dipole configurations, with transmitter-receiver antenna spacings of 10 m, 20 m, and 40 m, to measure conductivity at varying depths and test the equipment’s sensitivity to noise under different settings. EM38-mk2 was used in vertical dipole with an effective skin depth of 1,5m.
The results show an increase in electrical conductivity values that mostly align with the previously assumed map of the landfill. However, significantly higher values were observed in residential areas compared to agricultural land. The data suggests that the equipment is less sensitive in horizontal dipole mode and with shorter antenna spacings, making it more suitable in areas with human interference. Overall, the equipment is effective for fast mapping areas with minimal human interference, like farmland. Combining EM data with ERT for control measurements in areas of interest is recommended for improved accuracy.
How to cite: Stokke, T., French, H. K., Adebunmi, S. O., and Bloem, E.: Mapping the extent of a Norwegian ravine-filled closed landfill site using a combination of electrical methods, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-19595, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-19595, 2025.
Old landfills have been under continuous investigation since the 1960s due to their potential for soil and groundwater contamination, gas explosion risks, and methane emissions contributing to climate change. Economic factors such as land reclamation, waste-to-energy, and resource recovery also drive studies before installing gas and leachate wells or excavating closed landfills. Additionally, insights from old landfills help improve the design and technology of new ones.
Numerous geophysical methods have been employed for characterizing and monitoring old landfills, with Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) standing out as a particularly valuable tool. ERT has been consistently used to identify different waste zones in landfills based on moisture content and waste chemistry. However, field studies on ERT’s sensitivity to landfill gas remain challenging due to the complex nature of waste and gas dynamics. This issue can be addressed through controlled small-scale laboratory experiments. Fortunately, one of ERT’s key strengths is its versatility in adapting to investigations at various scales. To achieve optimal results in small-scale laboratory experiments, careful column design and an appropriate current injection and measurement strategy are crucial, often necessitating the use of forward modelling to simulate the desired experiment.
In our efforts to quantify the contribution of landfill gases to the measured electrical resistivity of waste in gas hotspot regions of closed old landfills, we designed a small-scale resistivity column experiment. This experiment aimed to investigate the perturbation in the electrical resistivity of waste caused by controlled gas circulation under varying degrees of moisture saturation, gas pressure, and waste composition. In the initial stage, forward modelling was performed using ResIPy software to determine the optimal current and measurement strategy for a cylindrical column with a diameter of 120 mm and a height of 400 mm. Various combinations of electrode numbers, electrode spacing, and measurement configurations were tested to identify the setup that provides the best spatial and visibility resolution for targets of different sizes and resistivities across the column within a reasonable measurement duration. Although each strategy has its advantages, the results from the models provided a foundation for selecting an optimal design strategy and understanding the limitations of the column.
How to cite: Adebunmi, S. O., French, H. K., and Bloem, E.: Application of Forward Modelling in the Design of Laboratory Waste Columns and Optimization of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) Measurements, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-19784, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-19784, 2025.
Decarbonization and various energy improvement strategies are threatening the sustainability of food production as productive agricultural and forest land is increasingly occupied. Furthermore, mine soils and tailings, both in active and abandoned mines, represent a challenge in environmental rehabilitation, as well as an opportunity to use and valorize these spaces for several socioeconomic activities. The use of these areas for the production of energy crops or the occupation of energy production structures can be an option with great socio-economic interest. The present study evaluated the recovery of mine soils rich in sulfides through the application of a Technosol designed with alkaline properties and the development of a crop of energy interest, fodder maize. For this purpose, a mesocosm assay was carried out under controlled greenhouse conditions for three months with (n=4/treatment): mixture of the Tecnosol + Mine soil, in a 1:5 ratio (V:V), and a control with Mine soil only. Three maize seeds were sown in each pot. For the evaluation of effectiveness of the environmental rehabilitation, the physicochemical changes at the edaphic level were evaluated, as well as the percentage of germination, biomass produced and metal contents in the biomass.
The mine soil showed an acid reaction (pH 2.5), low fertility and high content of potentially toxic elements (PTE) both in the total (g/kg – S: 60.1, Fe: 54.1, Cu: 0.16, Zn: 1.3) and available fraction in the pore water (mg/L -Fe: 342; Cu: 38.5; Zn: 506). The Technosol application to the mine soil allowed an increase in the acid neutralization capacity, reaching reaction values around 7.7, and the fertility (e.g. organic C from <2 to 12 g/kg; available P from 0.4 to 22 mg/kg). Another important improvement of the mine soil was the decrease of PTE availability in the soil solution by ≈99%, reaching very low concentrations (e.g. <0.5 mg/L for Fe and Cu; <0.15 mg/L for Zn). This decrease in PTE concentrations was associated with an increase in pH and a decrease in the oxide-reduction potential. In the mine soil (control), the maize did not germinate, while with the Technosol application, the germination percentage reached 67%. After three months of growth, the maize reached an average height of 25.58 ± 3.89 cm and a fresh biomass of 14.24 ± 3.76 g per pot, corresponding to a production of 1.2 t/ha. The elemental composition of the maize biomass was analyzed, and the metal contents (e.g. Cu: 0.03 mg/kg; Zn: 0.18 mg/kg) were below the levels of quality feed for livestock consumption, thus posing no risk of toxicity for either livestock consumption or energy production.
The results of the study showed the effectiveness of the designed Technosols in the recovery of sulfide-rich mine soils as well as the feasibility of implementing energy crops in these recovered areas with a socio-economic use.
Acknowledgment: This research was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (UID/AGR/04129/2020, Non-foodCropMine Project). The authors thank Minera Los Frailes for technical cooperation and providing access to the study area and field samples.
How to cite: Arán, D., Abreu, M. M., and Santos, E.: Use of sulfide-rich tailings recovered with Tecnosols for the cultivation of species of energetic interest, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-20212, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-20212, 2025.
Groundwater represents an important source for water supply in Mfou, Centre Region Cameroon. Increase in population has caused a shortage in availability of portable water; hence majority of the population depends on groundwater tapped through wells, boreholes and springs. Although this helps to meet their needs, the quality of water from these sources is unknown by the consumers. This study aimed at assessing the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of groundwater in Mfou, was done in order to determine the impact of anthropogenic pressure on water and to measure the health risks on users. A total of 23 wells and 4 boreholes were sampled in April 2022 which corresponds to the minor rainy season. Microbiological analyses comprised the prevalence of total coliforms (TCs), Escherichia coli, fecal coliform, Streptococcus spp, Salmonella spp, shigella spp, vibrio spp and staphylococcus spp. Physico-chemical parameters including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDSs), salinity, dissolved O2 were measured to characterize these waters. The results showed variation of pH from 3.52-6.81, temperature 24.04-27.4°C, electrical conductivity 24-361 μS/cm, dissolved O2 27.1-61.9% mg/l, TDSs and Salinity from, 15-176 mg/l and 10.2-97.3ppm respectively. Results of specific Microbes isolated (Total Fecal Coliforms) / colony forming units/ml, reveals Total coliform Enterobacteria spp. (3-200), Total feacal coliform E. Coli (1-70), Streptococcus spp(02-05) Salmonella spp(1-22) Shigella spp(2-4) Staphylococus spp(2-20) Vibrio spp.(0) Comparing results with WHO standards reveals, about 40% were not good for direct consumption as they were contaminated with one or more bacteria. The water contamination would be the consequence of the closeness of boreholes to latrines and domestic wastes dumping sites. There is a need to educate the population on the water quality, the importance of clean and healthy surroundings near water sources and also common treatment methods to improve the water quality and reduce waterborne diseases.
Keywords: Groundwater, quality assessment, biophysicochemical characterization, health and safety.
How to cite: Felicia, N. M. and Nelson, M. A.: Preliminary results of Biophysicochemical characterization of wells and borehole waters and their health implication, Mfou-Centre Region Cameroon, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-807, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-807, 2025.
Food safety has become a major concern in Belgium since excessive levels of Cd and Pb were measured in vegetables grown in private and market gardens, even in areas with low soil contaminations. The importance of soil Cd concentration and soil pH in controlling plant uptake is widely recognized. However, achieving a neutral or slightly alkaline pH does not appear to be not sufficient to produce vegetables that comply with European legislation in areas affected by low atmospheric contaminations. Moreover, existing models often struggle to provide satisfactory predictions of measured concentrations in vegetables, especially in field trials and at low to moderate levels of contaminations.
As a cost-effective remediation approach, the addition of amendments has been reported in the literature to mitigate Cd uptake by vegetables. However, some studies have reported contradictory conclusions regarding the effect of the same factor on cadmium uptake by vegetables. This highlights the need for more quantitative research to clarify the interactions between soil characteristics, amendment types, and their combined effects on reducing cadmium bioavailability.
A field experiment was conducted in seven market gardens in the Province of Liège in order to take into account effect of site variability on soil-plant interactions. Past industrial activities in central Belgium were responsible for large atmospheric depositions in the environment, especially along the Meuse – Vesdre valleys. The study sites represented a fairly wide range of soil properties and moderate levels of contamination (from <1 to 5 mg.kg-1 of Cd). The effects of two organic amendments, biochar and compost, and lime on soil pH, CaCl2-extractable metals and uptake by Swiss chard and lettuce were studied. Total organic carbon, texture, cation exchange capacity and available nutrients were also quantified for each soil.
After one growing season, no significant effects of organic and lime amendments were observed due to severe drought conditions and the short-term cultivation period. Longer periods of time are needed for amendments to fully interact with the soil as shown by pot experiments. No significant trend in soil content was observed and plant uptake was mainly influenced by initial soil pH. However, soil pH and cadmium content could not fully explain the measured plant concentrations due to site-specific soil-plant functioning.
The influence of soil properties on the efficiency of amendments to control soil-plant transfer requires further investigation to identify the key factors controlling Cd bioavailability, especially in the field. Our latest results in that topic will be presented.
How to cite: Comeliau, S., Bergen, J.-C., Biron, P., Houtart, A., Marit, E., Paquet, C., and Colinet, G.: Cadmium uptake by vegetables in market gardens: investigating between generic and site-specific effects in a field experiment , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-2274, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-2274, 2025.
Gallium (Ga) and indium (In) are metals extensively used in the semiconductor and optoelectronic industries; however, these elements are emerging as environmental contaminants due to improper disposal and industrial effluents, leading to soil and water pollution. Research indicates that Ga and In can influence the mobility of other metals, notably aluminum (Al), in soil environments. Currently, no established methods or standards exist for addressing Ga and In contamination in soils, and their risks and toxic effects on human health and the environment remain unclear. To investigate the bioavailability and ecotoxicity of Ga and In in paddy soils, we established a soil-water-fish exposure system using juvenile medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) as a model organism. Our findings show that the mobility of Ga and In was low in acidic soil with high aluminum content (e.g., Pc soil). However, a significant increase in available Al was observed in Pc soil under high Ga or In contamination levels. In contrast, neutral soil with low Al content (e.g., Su soil) released higher concentrations of soluble Ga into the pore water and overlying water, whereas Pc soil released higher concentrations of soluble In. Juvenile medaka fish exposed to Pc soil contaminated with high levels of Ga or In exhibited increased mortality rates, and their growth and swimming behaviors were altered. Conversely, fish exposed to contaminated Su soil showed lower toxic effects. These findings suggest that Ga and In contamination in paddy soils with differing properties can cause varying toxic effects on aquatic organisms, potentially disrupting the ecological balance of paddy ecosystems under long-term exposure.
How to cite: Chen, P.-J. and Lan, L.-S.: Assessing bioavailability and toxicity of technology critical elements Ga and In in the contaminated paddy soils via the soil-water-fish system , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-2331, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-2331, 2025.
Modelling the predicted environmental concentration (PEC) of heavy metals in soils is of a paramount importance for several reasons. On the one hand, these inorganic pollutants can pose a significant health risk to living organisms, as they are toxic and poisonous at low concentrations. Moreover, they can be presented in the soil for a long period of time, taken up by plants, thus entering the food chain. On the other hand, properly parameterised and validated models can provide a good basis for environmental risk assessment resulting in the development of more efficient remediation strategies. Nowadays, hydrodynamic models are able to simulate the interactions of different pollutants, soil and water, and the transport of solutes. In addition, these models can take into account the physical and hydraulic properties of the soil layers, the amount and distribution of precipitation, and the physical and chemical properties of the pollutants, which can be used to predict the environmental concentration of heavy metals in the soils with a greater accuracy.
A 2D model was built in HYDRUS software for the long-term prediction of the environmental concentration of copper based on the data of the previously surveyed soil profiles (loamy sand) in the city of Debrecen, Hungary. The database of the Hungarian Meteorological Service was used to retrieve daily precipitation data for the period 2012-2020 (approx. 3000 days). After setting up the boundary conditions of the 10×20 m domain, observation nodes were assigned to different depths: 0 m (soil surface), 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m, 2.5 m, 3 m, 5 m, 10 m and 20 m. Firstly, the model was used to investigate the mobility of copper in sandy soils, considering the application of a theoretical copper contaminated leachate with the concentration of 1 mgL-1 on the soil surface. The soil adsorption coefficient was set to 4×10-7 m3g-1, while the diffusion coefficient in water was 6.33×10-5 m2day-1. The specific quantity of the leachate applied on the soil surface was chosen to be 100 Lm-2. Then, three different scenarios were made: 1) single contamination (once, on the first day), 2) regular contamination (once a month for a year), 3) continuous contamination (every day for a month).
The model results showed that the concentration of copper exceeded the contamination threshold (200 μgL-1) at depths between 0-1.5 m during the first 50 days of the studied period in case of the single contamination. In deeper layers, the predicted environmental concentration of the copper was below the contamination threshold. In case of the regular copper contamination scenario, it was observed that almost a year is needed to decrease the contamination level below the threshold at the depths between 0-1.5 m. Deeper soil layers experienced the copper contamination with a substantial delay. The continuous copper contamination scenario resulted in a peak concentration of the copper with 1mgL-1 at the depths between 0-5 m within a month.
The research presented in the article was carried out within the framework of the Széchenyi Plan Plus program with the support of the RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00008 project.
How to cite: Magyar, T., Neha, N., Sewwandi, C., Tóth, F. A., and Nagy, P. T.: Modelling of Predicted Environmental Concentration of Copper Contaminated Leachate in Sandy Soils using HYDRUS-2D, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-6496, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-6496, 2025.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a systematic method of evaluating the environmental impacts of an entire process, will be employed in this study to compare four soil remediation scenarios. In this study, we apply LCA on the Janghang Songrim Forest in South Korea, a site contaminated by arsenic from historical smelting operations. The environmental impacts of soil remediation techniques are critical in selecting sustainable methods for contaminated sites. A thorough understanding of these impacts enables the identification of the most environmentally responsible strategies for site restoration. We examine four techniques, in-situ solidification/stabilization using iron oxide injection, excavation & refill, soil washing, and the combined approach reflecting actual on-site practices implemented on the site around 2010. The assessment is performed with Simapro software 9.6.0.1 using ReCiPe2016 impact assessment method, supported by data from field measurements, Ecoinvent database, relevant literature, and site-specific information from the Janghang Songrim Forest. This study models and assesses the environmental trade-offs of each remediation scenario from a cradle-to-gate perspective, analyzing every stage from material extraction and transportation to remediation processes. The comparative analysis aims to guide future decisions on sustainable soil remediation by identifying low impact, effective techniques for sites with similar contamination profiles. The goal of this study is to conduct a comparative assessment of the environmental impacts of four remediation methods especially focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and effect on human health. Although the results are based on a case in Janghang Songrim Forest, we intend to extend this approach to propose pathways for enhancing low-impact technologies informed by the results.
How to cite: Kim, S., Park, J., and Nam, K.: Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Soil Remediation Technologies: The Case of Janghang Songrim Forest, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-7603, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-7603, 2025.
Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) is a promising technology for groundwater decontamination. U-contaminated sites by activities related to nuclear fuel cycle are a problem of increasing regulatory concern. Much effort has been devoted to the development of cost-effective solutions for site clean-up. The use of phosphate-based materials, such as hydroxyapatite (HAP), have proved to be an effective alternative for the remediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater. The use of phosphates is particularly advantageous due to their environmental compatibility, cost-effectiveness, and long-term stability under subsurface conditions. The application of phosphate-based technologies has been explored under different environmental conditions and at different scales, ranging from laboratory-scale experiments to field trials.
The goal of this study was to determine sorption characteristics of animal bone for uranium removal. For that purpose, isotherm batch tests were conducted for 7 days under room conditions, using adsorbent dosages of 1, 2 and 3 g/l. Water with an average uranium concentration of 5 ± 1 ppm was used for the tests. This value tries to reflect the U values measured in mining areas, which show a great variability related to the evolution of each natural system. Factors affecting the adsorption, such as adsorbent dosage or reaction time, were evaluated. Prior to testing, the animal bone was pretreated to remove organic matter. After cleaning with a hydrogen peroxide solution, the bone was crushed and sieved to a particle size of less than 50 µm to improve its sorption capacity. Uranium concentration in solution was measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). According to the results obtained, U-removal efficiencies calculated for 1, 2 and 3 gsorbent/l were 98.4%, 99.5% and 99.8%, respectively.
Uranium sorption on bone powder seems to reach equilibrium within the first 60 minutes of reaction, pointing to a fast sorption kinetics. Langmuir and Freundlich equations were used to describe the adsorption mechanism. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) according to Langmuir model was found to be 8.39 mg/g. Kinetic data of bone powder are in good agreement with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, showing high performance of uranium removal within 5 min.
In order to elucidate the U-retention mechanisms, a complete physicochemical and microstructural characterization of the bone powder before and after reaction was performed. Animal bone powder seems to be a crystalline mesoporous solid with a mean pore size of 14 nm. According to FTIR analysis, characteristic absorption bands corresponding to carbonate and phosphate functional groups were centred at 1418 and 1455 cm-1, in the case of carbonate, and 470, 562-605, 961 and 1031 cm−1 for phosphate. These results confirm the presence of phosphate groups (e.g. from hydroxyapatite) and some carbonate. U (VI) is easily removed from aqueous solution due to its high affinity for phosphates.
Based on the results obtained, bone powder exhibited advantageous features towards uranium adsorption, since its high phosphate content facilities U removal, which is fast and greater that 99% according to the tests performed.
How to cite: Carbonell Barrios, B., Torres Álvarez, E., Garralón Lafuente, A., Melón Sánchez, A. M., and Turrero Jiménez, M. J.: Removal of uranium from groundwater by bone powder, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-10187, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-10187, 2025.
The valuation of ecosystem services (ESS) represents a critical step toward integrating ecological and economic perspectives in sustainable development. This study focuses on the comprehensive monetary assessment of ESS at the life-cycle level, emphasizing their role in enhancing local natural capital and fostering sustainable growth. By analyzing ESS through the lens of their endogenous growth potential, such as ecological value opportunities and green infrastructure development, the research identifies key environmental value chains and explores ecosystem types synergies that contribute to ecological economies of scale. A robust methodological framework underpins this assessment, combining ecotoxicological data with ecosystem service indicators to evaluate their provisioning, regulating, and maintenance capacities. Ecosystem boundaries were delineated, mapped, and categorized to ensure accurate assessments. The study includes the generation of diverse scenarios to estimate the potential beneficiaries and maximum contributions of non-provisioning ESS, expressed per hectare and per year. These analyses are aligned with environmental regulatory benchmarks, ensuring the relevance of the monetary valuation.
Monetization of ESS was achieved through the normalization of prices for identified services at area degradated by heavy industry. A special focus was placed on urban green spaces and construction sites, where land cover types interactions and synergies were examined as drivers of increased ecological and economic benefits. The study also highlights the role of ESS in regulating soil quality, water flow, temperature, and air purification , showcasing their multifaceted contributions to human well-being and environmental resilience. By integrating ecological and economic insights, this research advances the understanding of how nature-based solutions and local natural capital can drive sustainable development. The findings emphasize the importance of ecosystem synergies and tailored monetization approaches to support decision-making in urban planning and environmental policy.
How to cite: Kruczek, M., Pierzchała, Ł., and Zgórska, A.: Valuing Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Development: Synergies and Economies of Scale in Nature-Based Solutions, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-17796, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-17796, 2025.
Ukraine is a militarily tense region of Europe with devastating consequences for the environment, primarily involving significant soil disturbance. The impact of military operations leads to changes in soil parameters. In the study initiated in 2017, focusing on the occupied territory of southeastern Ukraine and later expanding to include other regions with the onset of the full-scale invasion, we collected and analysed 1,087 soil samples. Each sample, starting from February 2022, was classified based on the intensity of hostilities at the sampling site using open data on conflict intensity and information from local military administrations.
The prevailing assumption that the duration and intensity of hostilities are the primary cause of substantial environmental degradation is not always supported by the evidence.
This study aimed to evaluate the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and other pollutants in war-affected soils of various land use and to ascertain the correlation between the nature of military impact and the extent of contamination.
A comprehensive analysis of soil pollutants was conducted using a range of analytical techniques, including ICP-MS, ICP-OES (PTEs), high-performance liquid chromatography (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), gas chromatography with electron capture detection (polychlorinated biphenyls) and gravimetric method (hydrocarbons). A selection of samples was also employed to investigate the soil's physical and chemical properties, including electrical conductivity, organic matter content, and pH levels.
The findings of this study demonstrate that the level of soil contamination in war-affected areas does not always directly correlate with the overall duration or intensity of hostilities. In some cases, more severe impacts may have occurred in conflict-affected areas with less intense or shorter-duration hostilities.
Areas with low levels of military activity may exhibit higher contamination levels due to specific characteristics or complex combinations of impact types. For instance, the destruction of industrial facilities (e.g., chemical plants, sewage treatment plants, and fuel depots) often leads to higher levels of contamination compared to areas with higher-intensity hostilities. This results in the formation of military-technogenic geochemical anomalies with varying spectra of explosives and other PTEs.
The analytical data revealed elevated and abnormal concentrations of total phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), barium (Ba), hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These contaminants can adversely affect soil productivity and health. The data not only indicates that the conflict has led to soil contamination with PTEs exceeding legal limits and the natural regional background but also show that ongoing hostilities are contributing to increased contaminant levels in groundwater in areas with low and medium levels of groundwater protection, posing additional risks to public health.
The armed conflict presents significant challenges for studying soils in areas with diverse levels and types of military impact. Nevertheless, we are committed to documenting and analysing these impacts. We are confident that the results of these studies will provide a solid foundation for developing land remediation plans in post-war communities.
How to cite: Splodytel, A., Rintoul-Hynes, N., Sut-Lohmann, M., Ferguson, C., and Carey, J.: Soil Degradation in Combat Zones Over a Decade of War in Ukraine, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-17943, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-17943, 2025.
Posters virtual: Tue, 29 Apr, 14:00–15:45 | vPoster spot 3
EGU25-1920 | ECS | Posters virtual | VPS14
Heavy Metal Pollution in Soils at Various Landfills Vicinity: A Review StudyTue, 29 Apr, 14:00–15:45 (CEST) | vP3.5
Landfill soils are often heavily contaminated with heavy metals (HMs), posing a significant risk of environmental pollution in surrounding areas. Historically, many landfills have been unregulated, poorly constructed, or have exceeded their design lifespans, contributing to their status as major pollution sources. Leachate generation, driven by waste degradation, microbial activity, rainfall infiltration, and groundwater intrusion, exacerbates this issue but is frequently untreated. Anthropogenic activities produce vast quantities of waste, ranging from biodegradable to hazardous materials. In rapidly urbanizing municipalities, particularly in developing countries, the challenges of solid waste management are pressing. Household waste is commonly discarded in unregulated dumpsites, waterways, and public spaces, exacerbating pollution. In contrast, developed nations typically manage municipal solid waste (MSW) more effectively due to advanced waste management infrastructure. This study investigates the classification of landfills based on waste type and evaluates the associated heavy metal (HM) contamination in soils. Representative landfill sites from various countries, including Ghana, Iran, Malaysia, China, South Africa, the Czech Republic, and Tunisia, were analyzed to determine the average concentrations of HMs in surrounding soils. Heavy metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), mercury (Hg), and vanadium (V) were detected in soils adjacent to these landfills. Soil pollution was assessed using several indices. The Ecological Risk Index (Eir) and the summation of the Ecological Risk Index (ERI) quantified individual and total ecological risks, respectively. Anthropogenic pollution was evaluated through the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), pollution index (PI), and integrated pollution index (IPI), providing insights into pollution levels relative to natural elemental content in soils. Factors influencing heavy metals contamination included the proximity of the soil to the landfill, the depth of soil infiltrated by leachate, seasonal variations, and site topography. To address soil contamination, remediation strategies were proposed, including the application of biochar (BC), humic substances (HS), and iron oxide (FO) amendments to immobilize HMs effectively and other remediation techniques to remove heavy metals. These findings contribute to developing sustainable approaches for mitigating heavy metal pollution in landfill-adjacent soils.
How to cite: Shayeghi, S., Moein, B., and Asefi, M.: Heavy Metal Pollution in Soils at Various Landfills Vicinity: A Review Study, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-1920, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1920, 2025.
