Abstract: The present invention relates to a batch process for washing of soil, sediment, sludge and other Fe containing substrates to remove toxic metalloids, notably As and Sb, and toxic metals, notably Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Hg, Mo, Mn, Tl, Cr, Cs, Sr, Th and U. The present invention aids in treatment of waste washing and rinsing solutions generated from washing the substrate contaminated with toxic metalloids and with toxic metals. The invention furthermore aids in reclamation of washing and rinsing solutions, reagents and other materials, and in activation of recycled chelator for more efficient removal of toxic metals from substrate.

Abstract: A process for curbing of emissions of toxic metals and chelating agent from remediated soils, sediments and other substrates contaminated with toxic metals, said process comprising: (a) remediation of contaminated soil, sediment and other substrate with washing solution, said washing solution comprising EDTA or other chelating agent from the group of aminopolycarboxylic acids and their salts and mixtures thereof; (b) addition of 0.05-5% (w/w, dry weight) of zero-valent Fe or Fe compounds from the group of Fe-oxides and Fe-oxide-hydroxides into the slurry phase of soil, sediment and other substrate; (c) mixing of Fe-amended slurry; (d) separation of solid phase of remediated and Fe-amended soil, sediment and other substrate; (e) ageing of remediated and Fe-amended soil, sediment and other substrate for 0.5-45 days.

Abstract: A batch process of remediation of soil and sediment contaminated with toxic metals includes the steps of treating contaminated soil and sediment with a solution containing aminopolycarboxylic chelating agent, rinsing the soil/sediment solid phase to remove residues of mobilized toxic metals, treating the used process waters to recycle chelating agent and clean process solutions and placing the remediated soil/sediment on a permeable horizontal reactive barrier to prevent emission of contaminants. In the batch process, toxic metals are removed from process solutions by alkaline adsorption of polysaccharide adsorbents. By applying alkaline adsorption the efficiency of toxic metal removal from process solutions and alkaline and acidic recycling of chelating agent is significantly improved.

Abstract: A batch process of remediation of soil and sediment contaminated with toxic metals includes the steps of treating contaminated soil and sediment with a solution containing aminopolycarboxylic chelating agent, rinsing the soil/sediment solid phase to remove residues of mobilized toxic metals, treating the used process waters to recycle chelating agent and clean process solutions and placing the remediated soil/sediment on a permeable horizontal reactive barrier to prevent emission of contaminants. In the batch process, toxic metals are removed from process solutions by alkaline adsorption of polysaccharide adsorbents. By applying alkaline adsorption the efficiency of toxic metal removal from process solutions and alkaline and acidic recycling of chelating agent is significantly improved.

Abstract: The process “Washing contaminated soils” solves the problem of cleansing and remediating soils and sediments and their fine fractions contaminated with toxic metals, using washing solution with chelating agents. The chelating agent forms water-soluble complexes with metals and thus facilitates metal removal from soils and sediments into the washing solution. In addition to toxic metals, the process according to the invention enables removal of organic pollutants from soils and sediments by using washing solution amended with surfactants, detergents or organic solvents in addition to chelating agents. The process according to the invention provides for simultaneous separation of the soil and sediment solid phase and used washing solution in a chamber filter press, and effective rinsing of the solid phase to remove all residual mobilized contaminants.

Abstract: The process “Washing contaminated soils” solves the problem of cleansing and remediating soils and sediments and their fine fractions contaminated with toxic metals, using washing solution with chelating agents. The chelating agent forms water-soluble complexes with metals and thus facilitates metal removal from soils and sediments into the washing solution. In addition to toxic metals, the process according to the invention enables removal of organic pollutants from soils and sediments by using washing solution amended with surfactants, detergents or organic solvents in addition to chelating agents. The process according to the invention provides for simultaneous separation of the soil and sediment solid phase and used washing solution in a chamber filter press, and effective rinsing of the solid phase to remove all residual mobilized contaminants.

Abstract: A fungal inoculum comprising a pelleted nutrient substrate coated with fungal propagules suspended in a hydrophilic material is disclosed.

Abstract: A fungal inoculum for bioaugmentation of soils contaminated with hazardous compounds or spawn for use in the edible mushroom industry is disclosed. A mechanically pelleted substrate that contains both structural and nutritive components forms the core of the fungal inoculum. The pelleted substrate core is coated with a hydrophilic material in which fungal propagules are dispersed. The biological potential of the fungal inocula can be enhanced by formulating the material composition of fungal inocula to meet the specific requirements of a particular fungus.