Soil amendments for vanadium remediation: a review of remediation of vanadium in soil through chemical stabilization and bioremediation

Immobilization of vanadium (V) in soils is one option to prevent groundwater contamination and plant uptake. Phytoremediation, microbial remediation, and chemical stabilization using soil amendments are among the leading environmentally friendly and economically feasible techniques in V remediation. Soil amendments were used to reduce V mobility by immobilizing it in the soil matrix through chemical stabilization, while bioremediation methods such as phytoremediation and microbial remediation were used to remove V from contaminated soils. Vanadium exists in several species and among them V5+ species are the most prevalent, toxic, and soluble form and present as a negatively charged ion (H2VO4- and HVO42-) in oxic soils above pH 4. Amendments used for chemical stabilization can change the physicochemical properties enhancing immobility of V in soil. The pH of the soil environment, point of zero charge of the colloid surface, and redox conditions are some of the most important factors that determine the efficiency of the amendment. Commonly used amendments for chemical stabilization include biochar, zeolites, organic acids, various clay minerals and oxides of elements such as iron, titanium, manganese, and aluminum. For bioremediation, chelating agents and microbial communities are used to mobilize V to enhance phyto-or microbial-extraction procedures. The objectives of this review were to discuss remediation methods of V while considering V speciation and toxicity in soil, and soil amendment application for V removal from soil. The information compiled in this review can guide further research on soil amendments for optimal V remediation in largely contaminated industrial sites.

Automated summary

Immobilization of vanadium in soils is an effective way to prevent groundwater contamination and plant uptake. Techniques such as phytoremediation, microbial remediation, and chemical stabilization with soil amendments are environmentally friendly and economically feasible methods for V remediation. The type of soil amendment used can greatly influence the immobilization efficiency of V in soil.