Stabilization/solidiciation of zinc- and copper-contaminated soils using cementitious binders

• Main Author: Lui, James Jian Wei
• Other Authors: Yi Yaolin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Geotechnical
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/76409
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The release of several common heavy metals into the soil through domestic and industrial effluents leads to major environmental and health issues. Copper has been identified as one of these heavy metals. As the degree of soil contamination and the demand for materials that contain these metals continue to rise, there is a need for studies on the characteristics and behavior of heavy metals-contaminated soil to eventually mitigate this situation. This report aims to investigate the effectiveness of stabilization/solidification (S/S) for copper-contaminated soil at different concentration levels using cementitious binders. This was achieved through experiments which were conducted through the use of various binders such as magnesium oxide (MgO), lime and Portland cement to treat copper-contaminated soils. All specimens were cured for 28 days. Primary tests include the unconfined compression test, leaching test, pH test and X-ray diffraction analysis. Other parameters measured include the bulk density and water content. Experimental results suggest that while MgO is able to provide the lowest leachate concentration, it is limited by the unconfined compressive strength. Results also show that copper-contaminated soils treated with MgO and lime are insignificantly influenced by the copper concentration. However, specimens treated with cement were dependent on the copper concentration.