International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—The application of orthophosphate and silica chemical treatments to contaminated land in cold regions remains understudied. The potential of mixed silica-orthophosphate treatments for the management of metal contaminated sites has not been examined. Investigation and characterization of the mineral products which form during treatment, to ensure their suitability and stability for remediation and contaminant migration prevention is essential. This should be achieved prior to in-situ implementation. This paper observes the mineral products formed by reaction between orthophosphate, silica and orthophosphate-silica mix treatment(s) and lead sulfate, copper oxide and zinc oxide systems over 114 days using X-ray diffractometry. Detectable changes to the mineral composition of analyzed specimens occurred in all systems. Immobilization was most effective for lead and least effective for zinc. This study demonstrates the potential of chemical treatments for the management of metal contaminated sites in cold regions. However, the results of this study demonstrate that treatments must be designed with consideration of factors such as environmental risk, the various stabilities of mineral products formed, temperature and the solubility of contaminant phases requiring treatment.

Index Terms—Cold regions, heavy metals, immobilization, remediation, stabilization.

D. Camenzuli is with the Department of Environmental Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia (e-mail: danielle.camenzuli@mq.edu.au).

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Cite: Danielle Camenzuli, "Minerals Formed by Treatment of Heavy Metals with Orthophosphate, Silica or an Orthophosphate-Silica Mix Treatment under Cold Conditions," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 6, no. 12, pp. 913-919, 2015.