Bio-transformation and stabilization of arsenic (As) in contaminated soil using arsenic oxidizing bacteria and FeCl3 amendment

A combination of biological and chemical methods was applied in the present study to evaluate the removal of arsenic (As) from contaminated soil. The treatment involved As-oxidizing microbes aimed of transforming the more toxic As (III) to less toxic As (V) in the soil. FeCl3 was added at three different concentrations (1, 2, and 3%) to stabilize the As (V). Leaching of the treated soil was investigated by making a soil column and passing tap water through it to determine solubility. Experimental results indicated that the bacterial activity had a pronounced positive effect on the transformation of As, and decreased the soluble exchangeable fraction from 50 to 0.7 mg/kg as compared to control and from 50 to 44 mg/kg after 7 days of treatment. FeCl3 also played an indispensable role in the adsorption/stabilization of As in the soil; 1 and 2% FeCl3 strongly influenced the adsorption of As (V). The soil leachate contained negligible amount of As and trace metals, which indicates that combining an efficient microbe with a chemical treatment is very effective route for the removal and stabilization of As from contaminated soil in the environment.