Pot-based assessment of a phosphogypsum-red mud composite for simultaneously mitigating Cd/Pb accumulation and improving grain quality in rice
摘要
This study addresses the dual challenges of increasing rice safety risks due to cadmium/lead (Cd/Pb) co-contamination in paddy soils and the need for industrial solid waste valorization.
MethodPot experiments were conducted to assess the regulatory effects of phosphogypsum (PG), red mud (RM), and their composite amendment (PR) on the soil-rice system.
ResultsWe found that PR significantly outperformed PG and RM. Compared to the control (CK), RM and PR increased the soil pH by 1.5 and 1.2 units, respectively, while PG decreased it by 0.3 units. PR significantly reduced the DTPA-Cd/Pb content (Cd: 44.4%, Pb: 46.5%), followed by RM (Cd: 11.8%, Pb: 13.5%). PG reduced the Cd content by 11.8%, but only decreased the Pb content by 1.5%. Furthermore, PR effectively promoted the transformation of heavy metals from acid-extractable (ASF) to more stable residual (RES) fractions. It reduced Cd and Pb concentrations in grains by 86.2% and 70.9%, respectively (< 0.2 mg kg –1). Remediation efficiencies were measured at 86.4% (Cd) and 29.3% (Pb). Additionally, PR increased yield by 46.4%, crude protein (CP) by 47.1%, and total starch (TS) by 54.3%, respectively. Crucially, PR enriched Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Desulfobacterota, strengthened nitrogen and sulfur cycling functions, and improved microbial network robustness.
ConclusionThis study provides theoretical support for utilizing industrial solid wastes in 'waste-to-remediation' strategies aimed at achieving concurrent soil restoration. However, as this study was conducted as a short-term pot experiment, the long-term stability and performance of the remediation under field conditions remain to be tested.