Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2022
Journal Name
Applied and Environmental Soil Science
Abstract
This study investigated the efficacy of fermented seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii) on the remediation of fluoride-contaminated soil. The soil was amended with either 1.25, 3.0, or 5.0% (w/w) fermented seaweed (FSW), parallel with the controls (0%). The amendment improved the physicochemical properties of the soil particularly pH regulated from strong alkaline (9.3) to neutral (7.0) which is essential for germination, crop growth, and yield. The amount of water soluble-fluoride (Ws-F) dropped from 81.7 ± 3.1 mg/kg to 42.7 ± 2.4, 33.7 ± 1.2, 19.6 ± 0.9, and 12 ± 1.3 mg/kg following 0, 1.25, 3, and 5% amendment dosage, re- spectively. Most of the Ws-F was converted into exchangeable fluoride (Ex-F) and to fluoride-bound to iron and manganese (Fe/ Mn-F). Furthermore, the amendment also enhanced microbial mass and diversity in the soil. The FSW contains organic acids which participate in ionic bonding with the multivalent cations in the soil. The formed compound participates in ion exchange with clay or with anionic adsorption to positively charged clay sites at the edges. This interaction is further essential for enhancing the fluoride holding capacity of the soil. The use of seaweed reduced the bioavailability of fluoride in the agricultural soils and had positive effects on promoting soil fertility. However, further studies to observe its effects on crop performance is of significance.
Keywords
Contaminated, Fluoride, Fermentation Product, Seaweed, Eucheuma cottonii
Rsif Scholar Name
Ruth Lorivi Moirana
Thematic Area
Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering
Africa Host University (AHU)
Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania
Funding Statement
Work was funded by the partnership for Applied Skills in Sciences, Engineering and Technology-Regional Schol- arship Innovation Fund (PASET-RSIF) and )e East and West Africa farming system-BELT (EWA-BELT) Horizon 2020 (project no. 862848)
Recommended Citation
Moirana, R. L., Mkunda, J., Paradelo, M., Machunda, R., & Mtei, K. (2022). Remediation of Soils Contaminated by Fluoride Using a Fermentation Product of Seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii). Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6967031