Role of Phosphate in the Remediation and Reuse of Heavy Metal Polluted Wastes and Sites

Ange Nzihou (1) , Patrick Sharrock (1)

1 RAPSODEE - Centre de recherche d'Albi en génie des procédés des solides divisés, de l'énergie et de l'environnement

Heavy metal pollution is a major environmental concern because of the toxicity to humans and plants. This toxicity is lethal even in trace quantities and metals have a great tendency to bioaccumulate. The efficiency of phosphate and apatites M-10(PO4)(6)(OH)(2), M: Metal, in particular, in removing and immobilizing heavy metals from wastewater, groundwater (as permeable reactive barriers for in situ site remediation), fly ash, dredged sludges and contaminated soil has led to various studies to understand and explain the mechanisms involved. This paper will address the use of apatite as sorbent and stabilizing agents for the removal of heavy metals from various media. Efficient physico-chemical immobilization of heavy metals brings new perspectives for reuse of polluted waste water, soils and land treated by selected phosphates.

Mots clés: Phosphates; Sites; Heavy metals; Waste; Apatites; Remediation

Domaines: Ingénierie de l'environnement; Génie des procédés

Ange Nzihou, Patrick Sharrock. Role of Phosphate in the Remediation and Reuse of Heavy Metal Polluted Wastes and Sites. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 2010, 1 (1), pp.163-174. ⟨10.1007/s12649-009-9006-x⟩. ⟨hal-01634023⟩