Effect of Humus on the Solidification and Stabilization of Heavy Metal Contaminated River Sediment

Abstract

To better reutilize heavy metal contaminated river sediment containing organic matter, the sediments in a river located in Chongming District, Shanghai were collected and Portland cement was used as a curing agent along with commercial organic matter to conduct the solidification/stabilization experiment. The unconfined compressive strength and heavy metal leaching concentrations of solidified blocks with different water content, organic matter content, and cement content were tested and analyzed to determine the optimal ratio. The effects of fulvic acid (FA), humic acid (HA), and an HA/FA ratio on the solidification and stabilization, as well as the speciation of heavy metals in sediment before and after solidification and stabilization, were studied. The results showed that when the organic content of the sediment is 6.16%, the water content is 65% and the cement content is greater than 38%, so the curing effect proves to be satisfactory. Fulvic acid has a stronger inhibiting effect on cement hydration than humic acid, and its consumption in the curing process is more significant. The addition of humic acid contributes to the stabilization of heavy metals, while the increase in fulvic acid greatly weakens the stability of heavy metals. The exchangeable state of heavy metals in the sediment has been reduced to varying degrees after solidification and stabilization. The research results can provide a basis for the reclamation and utilization of heavy metal contaminated river sediment with organic matter.