Sources and remediation techniques for mercury contaminated soil

• Published in: Environment international Vol. 74; pp. 42 - 53
• Main Authors: Xu, Jingying, Bravo, Andrea Garcia, Lagerkvist, Anders, Bertilsson, Stefan, Sjöblom, Rolf, Kumpiene, Jurate
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2015
• Subjects: Avfallsteknik; Biodegradation, Environmental; Mercury - analysis; Mercury contaminated soil; Mobility; Remediation; Soil; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil washing; Stabilisation/solidification; Waste Science and Technology; Mercury contaminated soil; Mobility; Stabilisation/solidification; Remediation; Soil washing
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.09.007

Mercury (Hg) in soils has increased by a factor of 3 to 10 in recent times mainly due to combustion of fossil fuels combined with long-range atmospheric transport processes. Other sources as chlor-alkali plants, gold mining and cement production can also be significant, at least locally. This paper summarizes the natural and anthropogenic sources that have contributed to the increase of Hg concentration in soil and reviews major remediation techniques and their applications to control soil Hg contamination. The focus is on soil washing, stabilisation/solidification, thermal treatment and biological techniques; but also the factors that influence Hg mobilisation in soil and therefore are crucial for evaluating and optimizing remediation techniques are discussed. Further research on bioremediation is encouraged and future study should focus on the implementation of different remediation techniques under field conditions.
•Sources of Hg contamination in soil are reviewed.•Factors affecting Hg mobility in soil are focused.•Predominant remediation techniques for Hg contaminated soil are reviewed.•Factors that influence treatment efficiency of Hg polluted soil are discussed.•Means of improving soil washing and S/S techniques are also emphasized.