APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS OBTAINED THROUGH PROCESSING LIMESTONES FOR THE IMMOBILIZATION OF HEAVY METALS IN CONTAMINATED SOILS

This study presents the results of testing various amendments for use in the immobilisation of metals in contaminated soils. The incubation tests were carried out for five indigenous amendments from different sources, and the results showed significant changes in the pH value of the contaminated soil following their application. At the same time, the effects of the application of these limestone amendments on the mobility of metals in the soil were estimated by specific extractions of different forms of metals existing in the soil. The results obtained allowed the ranking of the tested amendments according to their immobilization ability. Thus, for cadmium, lead and zinc, the calcium carbonate from Murfatlar and the calcium carbonate from Fieni showed the highest immobilization efficiency. The ground limestone from Baita had the lowest efficiency compared to the other amendments studied. The results obtained showed that the use of indigenous limestone amendments had significant effects on the decrease in the mobility of heavy metals in contaminated soil, providing promising prospects for their use in the restoration of these soils.