Stabilization of Cr, Pb, and Zn in Soil Using Lignite

A uniform multivariable model system was used to investigate whether lignite from Visonta (Hungary) has a stabilizing effect on the heavy metals Cr, Pb, and Zn in the case of complex soil contamination with these metals. The investigated soil was acidic sand. Soluble element concentrations extracted by distilled water, ammonium acetate buffer, and ammonium-acetate + EDTA extractant were determined. The effect of lignite on the humus quality of the soil and its influence on the cation exchange capacity was also measured. The results were evaluated using analysis of variance, regression analysis, and principal component analysis. The results indicated that lignite was capable of stabilizing Pb, Zn, and particularly Cr. According to the optical method, lignite did not increase the amount of higher condensation and polymerization humic fractions, but it did increase the cation exchange capacity of the soil. If the lignite-based remediation technology is to become applicable in practice, further tests will be ...