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Vol 281 Iss. 1
Pages:
1-13
In press
Article
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

Using industrial waste to reclaim acidic, heavy metal-contaminated soils in Arctic areas

Authors:
Mariya A. Chukaeva1
Yan V. Pukhalskii2
About authors
  • 1 — Ph.D. Senior Researcher Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University ▪ Orcid
  • 2 — Researcher of Research and Development Center for Innovative Plant Growing “Winter Garden” Leningrad State University named after A.S.Pushkin ▪ Orcid
Date submitted:
2026-04-09
Date accepted:
2026-06-25
Online publication date:
2026-09-02

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of industrial waste-based ameliorants for the phytoremediation of disturbed lands. To conduct an experiment surface soil samples characterized by an acidic pH, polymetallic contamination, and heavy physical and mechanical composition were collected from industrial wastelands in the Arctic region. Lime and industrial waste, such as smelter slag, pulp and paper mill (PPM) ash, and ash from the combustion of alternative fuels based on municipal solid waste (MSW), were used to neutralize these samples. To assess the efficiency of soil neutralization and detoxification following the application of various ameliorants, the pH of aqueous and salt extracts of the original soil and the soil mixtures, as well as the content of mobile and water-soluble forms of heavy metals, were determined. A pot experiment with Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) was conducted to comprehensively assess soil mixtures availability for phytoremediation, followed by an assessment of the biometric parameters of its aboveground biomass and a determination of the rate of heavy metal accumulation in plant shoots and roots. Brassica juncea demonstrated high tolerance to polymetallic contamination, with good germination and survival. Phytostabilization was also found to be the primary mechanism for reducing of soil pollution levels. The studied industrial wastes demonstrateda high potential for neutralizing acidic soils contaminated with heavy metals, compared to traditional ameliorants. A decrease in soil acidity and an improvement in their physical and mechanical properties and elemental composition were observed. To obtain productive soil mixtures, the application rates of the studied industrial wastes into acidic soils contaminated with heavy metals, as well as the duration of the treatment period, were experimentally determined: 16-33 g/kg of slag (8-week neutralization), 7-14 g/kg of MSW ash, and 20-39 g/kg of PPM ash (3-4 weeks neutralization). Future research will explore the synergistic effects of adding humic and fulvic acids into contaminated soils.

Область исследования:
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Keywords:
phytoremediation phytotoxicity acidic soil heavy metals Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) industrial waste slag ash Arctic region
Funding:

The research was carried out within the State task of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (FSRW-2024-0005 “New approaches to environmental monitoring of Arctic ecosystems affected by mineral resource complex facilities and development of technologies for their comprehensive restoration”).

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