Department of Agronomy

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Browsing Department of Agronomy by Author "Sibali, Linda Lunga"

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    Remediation of Heavy Metals ( Cd and Pb) and Phthalate Easters in Contaminated Soil Treated with Composts.
    (University of Fort Hare, 2003-02) Sibali, Linda Lunga
    The availability of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) and phthalate esters ( dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) from artificially contaminated soil samples to which were added compost of different compositions, were measured weekly for 28 days. Heavy metals and phthalate esters were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and gas chromatography (GC), respectively. Six different types of composts (C l-C6) were used for heavy metals whilst three different types of composts (Cl, C2 and C4) were used for phthalate esters. For heavy metals, the total metal sorption in composts changed with time and the changes were dependent on type of compost and its formulation. Generally, for all the composts used lead was highest on 7th day and cadmium on 14th day. The highest rate of compost appeared to give the most efficient fixing of the metals.