Polyacrylate polymers as immobilizing agents to aid phytostabilization of two mine soils

We evaluated the effect of polyacrylate polymers as immobilizing agents to aid phytostabilization of two mine soils. One soil had a very low pH (3.7) and a large Pb content, while the other was less acidic but had a greater content of Cu and Zn. Growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Victorian) was stimulated in polymer-amended soils. After ryegrass had been growing for 35 days, the amounts of water-extractable Cu, Zn and Pb (one soil only) present in the polymer-amended soils were smaller than those from soil without polymer. The number of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and the activities of dehydrogenase and b-glucosidase increased following polymer application. In contrast, the urease activity was impaired by polymer application, presumably because of the presence of ammonium as a counter ion. In another experiment, the acidic soil was limed to pH 6.5 before growth of perennial ryegrass took place. Liming the soil greatly enhanced plant growth, but by the third cut, differences between treatments became apparent, with plants from polymer-amended limed soil accumulating a greater biomass compared with limed soil without polymer. After ryegrass had been growing for 119 days (five cuts), the amount of water-extractable Pb and the urease activity in the polymer-amended soil were smaller than those from limed soil without polymer. The numbers of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and the activities of dehydrogenase, b-glucosidase and acid phosphatase increased following polymer application. The results are consistent with phytostabilization being achieved by the application of polyacrylate polymers, improving soil chemical and biological properties. In very acidic soils, the use of both a liming material and polymer together appears to give a considerable advantage.