Sustainable Management Approaches to Heavy Metal Pollution in Arid Soils Using Soil Amendments and Plant-Based Remediation

Nasser H. Almeaiweed (), Saud S. Aloud, Khaled D. Alotaibi, Mohannad A. Al Watban, Waeel S. Alrobaish and Majed S. Alorf
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Nasser H. Almeaiweed: Advanced Agricultural & Food Technology Institute, Sustainability and Environment Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
Saud S. Aloud: Soil Science Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 13362, Saudi Arabia
Khaled D. Alotaibi: Soil Science Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 13362, Saudi Arabia
Mohannad A. Al Watban: Advanced Agricultural & Food Technology Institute, Sustainability and Environment Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
Waeel S. Alrobaish: Advanced Agricultural & Food Technology Institute, Sustainability and Environment Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
Majed S. Alorf: Advanced Agricultural & Food Technology Institute, Sustainability and Environment Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: This study examined the effect of sulfur, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), olive mill wastewater (OMW), and their mixtures in remediating metal-polluted soils by implementing both leaching trials and a greenhouse experiment with sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ). In the leaching study, soils were subjected to five discharge volumes (V1–V5). EDTA significantly improved metal mobility of Cd (221.4) mg·kg −1 in V2, Pb (340.8) mg·kg −1 in V3, and Zn (1.01) mg·kg −1 in V3, while OMW moderately mobilized Cd and Mn. However, sulfur mitigated leaching by buffering soil pH and metal immobilization. Mixed treatments revealed moderate leaching behavior. EDTA lowered soil pH (5.3) and raised EC (1763) µS/cm, while sulfur maintained stable chemical environments. In the greenhouse experiment, amendments significantly influenced biomass and metal uptake. Sunflower roots accumulated the highest Cd under sulfur (733.5) mg·kg −1 and Mn under EDTA (743.3) mg·kg −1 . EDTA restricted Cd translocation ( TF = 0), while OMW enhanced Cr movement to shoots ( TF = 17.6). EDTA also reduced Cd bioavailability, whereas OMW raised Pb and Mn availability. Overall, EDTA improved metal solubility for potential removal and sulfur in stabilized metals, while OMW acted as a moderate mobilizer. Sunflower demonstrated selective metal uptake, indicating its potential in phytoremediation strategies tailored to specific contaminants.

Keywords: phytoremediation; heavy metals; EDTA; sulfur; olive mill wastewater; sunflower; leaching; soil amendments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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