The Current Scenario and Prospects of Immobilization Remediation Technique for the Management of Heavy Metals Contaminated Soils

Approximately, more than 200 million hectares are contaminated with heavy metals (HMs) having very high concentrations greater than the standard values worldwide. Thus, the urgent remediation of HMs contaminated soils is the need of the hour. In situ immobilization of HMs through organic, inorganic, and other stabilizing additives seems to be the most promising remediation technique in managing HMs pollution. The efficiency of different stabilizing agents has been previously tested for the rehabilitation of HMs contaminated soils with the immediate estimation of their leaching and availability from them. Among tested amendments, biochar and iron base amendments have shown their high efficiency in removing multi-HMs polluted soils. Thus, the immobilization technique seems to be a preferable alternative over other traditional remediation methods owing to its vast applicability, easy availability of raw materials, and wide acceptability. However, weathering activities may increase the risk of HMs remobilization due to the breakdown of organic amendments. Thus continuous monitoring of HMs soils is recommended.