Red Mud (RM) and Soil Amelioration

Abstract

Rapid growth in industrialization, which is necessary and inevitable for society progress, has also created negative encroachment. Red mud produced during alumina production has strong alkanity in a pH range of 10-13% because of the sodium hydroxide solution used in the refining process. The base is strong enough to kill plant and animal life, and due to finer particle and trace metal content, it creates soil contamination, ground water pollution, and suspension in ocean; hence, we need precautions while we use this waste to add with soil. Red mud occupies a large area or its deposition in it. Red mud has properties similar to sandy clay. Red mud has property similar to clay and sand, even if it does not contain quartz or clay mineral. Bauxite residue/red mud can be mixed with variant type of saline soils, acid soils organic rich material, and silicate soil suitable pH conditions were achieved to promote vegetation growth.