Nano-hydroxyapatite-assisted enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation enhances Pb-contaminated aqueous solution and loess remediation

Abstract

Intensive agricultural activities could cause lead (Pb) bioaccumulation, threatening human health. Although the enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) technology has been applied to tackle the aforesaid problem, the urease may denature or even lose its activity when subjected to a significant Pb²⁺ toxicity effect. To this end, the nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP)-assisted EICP was proposed to reduce the mobility of Pb²⁺. Results indicated that a below 30% immobilization efficiency at 60 mM Pb²⁺ was attained under EICP. nHAP adsorbed the majority of Pb²⁺, preventing Pb²⁺ attachment to urease. Further, hydroxylphosphohedyphane or hydroxylpyromorphite was formed at 60 mM Pb²⁺, followed by the formation of cerussite, allowing hydroxylphosphohedyphane or hydroxylpyromorphite to be wrapped by cerussite. By contrast, carbonate-bearing hydroxylpyromorphite of higher stability (Pb₁₀(PO₄)₆CO₃) was developed at 20 mM Pb²⁺ as CO₃ ^2- substituted the hydroxyl group in hydroxylpyromorphite. Moreover, nHAP helped EICP to form nucleated minerals. As a result, the EICP-nHAP technology raised the immobilization efficiency at 60 mM Pb²⁺ up to 70%. The findings highlight the potential of applying the EICP-nHAP technology to Pb-containing water bodies remediation.

Keywords: carbonate-bearing hydroxylpyromorphite; cerussite; lead; nano-hydroxyapatite; urea hydrolysis.