Experimental modeling of the immobilization of heavy metals at the carbonate adsorption–precipitation geochemical barrier

Abstract

Experimental data obtained on the adsorption–precipitation immobilization of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, and Ni) from acidic and neutral solutions by calcite and dolomite demonstrate that interaction of solutions of heavy metals with these minerals at pH > 7.8–8.1 leads to a significant decrease in the concentrations of the metals because of the crystallization of carbonates of these metals. Except Pb, which is equally removed from solutions by both minerals, the immobilization efficiency of the metals on dolomite is greater than on calculate at the same pH. Residual Zn, Cd, Co, and Ni concentrations are immobilized by chemosorption, which is the most efficient for Cd and less significant for Co, Ni, and Zn. It is proved that artificial geochemical barriers on the basis of carbonate rocks can be efficiently applied to protect environment from contamination with heavy metals.