Effect of arsenic on spatial pattern of radial oxygen loss and iron plaque formation in rice

The effects of different arsenic （As） treatments on spatial pattern of radial oxygen loss （ROL）, iron （Fe） plaque formation and As accumulation in rice were investigated using three rice genotypes, planted under greenhouse conditions. Arsenic was applied to soil at 50 and 100 mg/kg, with untreated soil used as a control having an average As concentration of 8.5 mg/kg. It was demonstrated that the ratio of ROL in root tips to that at the root base slightly decreased with increasing As concentration, suggesting that the spatial ROL patterns in these groups may be shifted from the “tight” barrier towards the “partial” barrier form. Furthermore, increasing As concentration led to a increase in Fe plaque formation on root surfaces. In addition, root As concentrations of genotypes in 50 and 100 mg/kg As treatments were significantly higher than that of control treatment （P〈0.05）. Grain As concentration of genotype Nanyangzhan （with lower ROL） was significantly higher （P〈0.05） than that of genotype CNT87059-3 with higher ROL.

Leaching optimization and dissolution behavior of alkaline anions in bauxite residue

Bauxite residue is a highly alkaline waste containing soluble alkaline anions, which can cause environmental concerns. The optimal leaching conditions, distribution of alkaline anions, types of pivotal alkaline anions and their dissolution behaviors were investigated based on the combination of single factors-orthogonal experiments and leaching stage experiment. Using a two-stage leaching, 86% of the soluble alkaline anions（CO3^2-, HCO4^-,Al（OH）4^-, OH^-） were leached with a L/S ratio of 2 mL/g, at 30 ℃, over 23 h. During the first stage of leaching, approximately 88% of alkaline anions were leached from the dissolution of free alkali（Na OH, carbonate, bicarbonate, NaAl（OH）4） with the rest originating from the dissolution of alkaline minerals（calcite, cancrinite and hydrogarnet）. Supernatant alkalinity was 69.78 mmol/L with CO3^2- accounting for 75%. Furthermore, carbonate leaching was controlled by solid film diffusion using the Stumm Model with an apparent activation energy of 10.24 kJ/mol.

Salt ions accumulation and distribution characteristics of pioneer plant species at a bauxite residue disposal area, China

Bauxite residue disposal areas(BRDAs)are physically degraded and hostile to plant growth.Nevertheless,natural plant colonization was observed in an abandoned BRDA in Central China.The pioneer plant species at the disposal area were identified,whilst distribution characteristics of salt ions such as Na^+,K^+,and Ca^2+in plant tissues and rhizosphere residues were investigated.The mean concentration of exchangeable Na^+in the rhizosphere soils was 19.5 cmol/kg,which suggested that these pioneer plants had relatively high salinity resistance.Sodium content varied from 0.84 cmol/kg(Digitaria sanguinalis)to 39.7 cmol/kg(Kochia scoparia),whilst K to Na ratio varied from 0.71(Myricaria bracteata)to 32.39(Digitaria sanguinalis)in the shoots,which demonstrated that the salinity tolerance mechanisms of these pioneer species differed significantly.Accumulation factors of Na^+in local plant species ranged from 0.04(D.sanguinalis)to 3.29(M.bracteata),whilst the translocation factor varied from 0.13(D.sanguinalis)to 2.92(M.bracteata).The results suggested that four pioneer plant species including K.scoparia,M.bracteate,Cynodon dactylon and D.sanguinalis could be suitable for revegetation at other disposal areas.

Improvement of alkaline electrochemical characteristics of bauxite residue amendment with organic acid and gypsum

Neutralization of alkaline properties of bauxite residue(BR)by using organic acid and gypsum additions may effectively improve electrochemical properties and alleviate physicochemical barriers to ecological rehabilitation.Mineral acids,citric acid and hybrid acid–gypsum additions were compared for their potential to transform and improve zeta potential,isoelectric point(IEP),surface protonation and active alkaline-OH groups,which are critical factors for further improvement of physicochemical and biological properties later.Isoelectric points of untransformed bauxite residue and six transformed derivatives were determined by using electroacoustic methods.Electrochemical characteristics were significantly improved by the amendments used,resulting in reduced IEP and-OH groups and decreased surface protonation for transformed residues.XRD results revealed that the primary alkaline minerals of cancrinite,calcite and grossular were transformed by the treatments.The treatments of citric acid and gypsum promoted the dissolution of cancrinite.From the SEM examination,citric acid and gypsum treatments contributed to the reduction in IEP and redistribution of-OH groups on particle surfaces.The collective evidence suggested that citric acid and gypsum amendments may be used firstly to rapidly amend bauxite residues for alleviating the caustic conditions prior to the consideration of soil formation in bauxite residue.

Industrial wastes applications for alkalinity regulation in bauxite residue: A comprehensive review

Bauxite residue is a highly alkaline material generated from the production of alumina in which bauxite is dissolved in caustic soda.Approximately 4.4 billion tons of bauxite residues are either stockpiled or landfilled,creating environmental risks either from the generation of dust or migration of filtrates.High alkalinity is the critical factor restricting complete utilization of bauxite residues,whilst the application of alkaline regulation agents is costly and difficult to apply widely.For now,current industrial wastes,such as waste acid,ammonia nitrogen wastewater,waste gypsum and biomass,have become major problems restricting the development of the social economy.Regulation of bauxite residues alkalinity by industrial waste was proposed to achieve‘waste control by waste’with good economic and ecological benefits.This review will focus on the origin and transformation of alkalinity in bauxite residues using typical industrial waste.It will propose key research directions with an emphasis on alkaline regulation by industrial waste,whilst also providing a scientific reference point for their potential use as amendments to enhance soil formation and establish vegetation on bauxite residue disposal areas(BRDAs)following large-scale disposal.

Alkalinity stabilization behavior of bauxite residue:Ca-driving regulation characteristics of gypsum

Alkaline anions,include CO3^2–,HCO3^–,Al(OH)4^–,OH^–,continuously released from bauxite residue(BR),will cause a potential disastrous impact on surrounding environment.The composition variation of alkaline anions,alkaline phase transformation pathway,and micro-morphological transition characteristics during the gypsum addition were investigated in an attempt to understand alkalinity stabilization behavior.Results demonstrated that alkaline anions stabilization degree in leachates can reach approximately 96.29%,whilst pH and alkalinity were reduced from 10.47 to 8.15,47.39 mmol/L to 2 mmol/L,respectively.During the alkalinity stabilization,chemical regulation behavior plays significant role in driving the co-precipitation reaction among the critical alkaline anions(CO3^2–,HCO3^–,Al(OH)4^–,OH^–),with calcium carbonate(CaCO3))being the most prevalent among the transformed alkaline phases.In addition,XRD and SEM-EDX analyses of the solid phase revealed that physical immobilization behavior would also influence the stability of soluble alkali and chemical bonded alkali due to released Ca^2+from gypsum which aggregated the clay particles and stabilized them into coarse particles with a blocky structure.These findings will be beneficial for effectively regulating strong alkalinity of BR.

Changes in distribution and microstructure of bauxite residue aggregates following amendments addition

Bauxite residue is a highly alkaline byproduct which is routinely discarded at residue disposal areas. Improving soil formation process to revegetate the special degraded lands is a promising strategy for sustainable management of the refining industry. A laboratory incubation experiment was used to evaluate the effects of gypsum and vermicompost on stable aggregate formation of bauxite residue. Aggregate size distribution was quantified by fractal theory, whilst residue microstructure was determined by scanning electron microscopy and synchrotron-based X-ray micro-computed tomography. Amendments addition increased the content of macro-aggregates(> 250 μm) and enhanced aggregate stability of bauxite residue. Following gypsum and vermicompost addition, fractal dimension decreased from 2.84 to 2.77, which indicated a more homogeneous distribution of aggregate particles. Images from scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional microstructure demonstrated that amendments stimulate the formation of improved structure in residue aggregates. Pore parameters including porosity, pore throat surface area, path length, and path tortuosity increased under amendment additions. Changes in aggregate size distribution and microstructure of bauxite residue indicated that additions of gypsum and vermicompost were beneficial to physical condition of bauxite residue which may enhance the ease of vegetation.

Effect of amendments on the leaching behavior of alkaline anions and metal ions in bauxite residue

A column leaching experiment was used to investigate the efficacy of amendments on their ability to remove alkaline anions and metal ions from bauxite residue leachates.Treatments included,simulated acid rain (AR),phosphogypsum + vermicompost (PVC),phosphogypsum + vermicompost + simulated acid rain (PVA),and biosolids + microorganisms (BSM) together with controls (CK).Results indicated that amendment could effectively reduce the leachate pH and EC values,neutralize OH-,CO32-,HCO3-,and water soluble alkali,and suppress arsenic (As) content.Correlation analysis revealed significant linear correlations with pH and concentrations of OH-,CO32-,HCO3-,water-soluble alkali,and metal ions.BSM treatment showed optimum results with neutralizing anions (OH-,CO32-,and HCO3-),water soluble alkali,and removal of metal ions (Al,As,B,Mo,V,and Na),which was attributed to neutralization from the generation of small molecular organic acids and organic matter during microbial metabolism.BSM treatment reduced alkaline anions and metal ions based on neutralization reactions in bauxite residue leachate,which reduced the potential pollution effects from leachates on the soil surrounding bauxite residue disposal areas.

Arsenic dynamics in the rhizosphere and its sequestration on rice roots as affected by root oxidation

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of root oxidation on arsenic （As） dynamics in the rhizosphere and As sequestration on rice roots. There were significant differences （P 〈 0.05） in pH values between rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils, with pH 5.68-6.16 in the rhizosphere and 6.30-6.37 in non-rhizosphere soils as well as differences in redox potentials （P 〈 0.05）. Percentage arsenite was lower （4%-16%） in rhizosphere soil solutions from rice genotypes with higher radial oxygen loss （ROL） compared with genotypes with lower ROL （P 〈 0.05）. Arsenic concentrations in iron plaque and rice straw were significantly negatively correlated （R = -0.60, P 〈 0.05）. Genotypes with higher ROL （TD71 and Yinjingmanzhau） had significantly （P 〈 0.001） lower total As in rice grains （1.35 and 0.96 mg/kg, respectively） compared with genotypes with lower ROL （IAPAR9, 1.68 mg/kg; Nanyangzhan 2.24 mg/kg） in the As treatment, as well as lower inorganic As （P 〈 0.05）. The present study showed that genotypes with higher ROL could oxidize more arsenite in rhizosphere soils, and induce more Fe plaque formation, which subsequently sequestered more As. This reduced As uptake in aboveground plant tissues and also reduced inorganic As accumulation in rice grains. The study has contributed to further understanding the mechanisms whereby ROL influences As uptake and accumulation in rice.

The dynamic development of bacterial community following long-term weathering of bauxite residue

Bauxite residue is the industrial waste generated from alumina production and commonly deposited in impoundments.These sites are bare of vegetation due to the extreme high salinity and alkalinity,as well as lack of nutrients.However,long term weathering processes could improve residue properties to support the plant establishment.Here we investigate the development of bacterial communities and the geochemical drivers in bauxite residue,using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology.Long term weathering reduced the pH in bauxite residue and increased its nutrients content.The bacterial community also significantly developed during long term weathering processes.Taxonomic analysis revealed that natural weathering processes encouraged the populations of Proteobacteria,Chloroflexi,Acidobacteria and Planctomycetes,whereas reducing the populations of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria.Redundancy analysis(RDA)indicated that total organic carbon(TOC)was the dominant factors affecting microbial structure.The results have demonstrated that natural weathering processes improved the soil development on the abandoned bauxite residue disposal areas,which also increased our understanding of the correlation between microbial variation and residue properties during natural weathering processes in Bauxite residue disposal areas.

Variation on leaching behavior of caustic compounds in bauxite residue during dealkalization process

Bauxite residue,a byproduct of alumina manufacture,is a serious environmental pollutant due to its high leaching contents of metals and caustic compounds.Four typical anions of CO3^2-,HCO3^-,Al(OH)4^- and OH-(represented caustic compounds) and metal ions(As,B,Mo and V) were selected to assess their leaching behavior under dealkalization process with different conditions including liquid/solid ratio(L/S ratio),temperature and leaching time.The results revealed that washing process could remove the soluble composition in bauxite residue effectively.The leaching concentrations of typical anions in bauxite residue decreased as follows:c(CO3^2-)> c(HCO3^-)> c[Al(OH)4-]> c(OH-).L/S ratio had a more significant effect on leaching behavior of OH-,whilst the leaching concentration of Al(OH)4-varied larger underleaching temperature and time treatment.Under the optimal leaching,the total alkaline,soluble Na concentrations,exchangeable Ca concentrations were 79.52,68.93,and 136.0 mmol/L,respectively,whilst the soluble and exchangeable content of As,B,Mo and V in bauxite residue changed slightly.However,it should be noted that water leaching has released metal ions such as As,B,Mo and V in bauxite residue to the surrounding environment.The semiquantitative analysis of XRD revealed that water leaching increased the content of gismondine from 2.4% to 6.4%.The SEM images demonstrated the dissolution of caustic compounds on bauxite residue surface.The correlation analysis indicated that CO3^2- and HCO3^- could effectively reflect the alkalinity of bauxite residue,and may be regarded as critical de alkalization indicators to evaluate alkalinity removal in bauxite residue.