Abstract
The remediation of metal-contaminated soils is a growing environmental problem. Current practice often involves either capping contaminated sites or removing contaminated material and storing it elsewhere. However, given that metal phosphates are highly insoluble under a wide range of Eh and pH conditions, it has been suggested that the conversion of metals into metal phosphates may represent a sustainable, in situ, remediation technique for metal-contaminated soils. In this chapter the solubility of metal phosphates and experimental work investigating the potential for metal phosphate formation as a remediation technique are reviewed. It is concluded that current work indicates that metal phosphate formation may well be a viable treatment. However, further held trials and investigations into the solubility of some less well known metal phosphates, particularly in the presence of organic ligands and microorganisms are required.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Environmental mineralogy |
| Subtitle of host publication | Microbial interactions, anthropogenic influences, contaminated land and waste management |
| Editors | JD CotterHowells, LS Campbell, E ValsamiJones, M Batchelder |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND |
| Pages | 291-311 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0-903056-20-8 |
| Publication status | Published - 2000 |