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Inhibition Mechanism of Calcium Hydroxide on Arsenic Volatilization During Sintering of Contaminated Excavated Soils

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  • Xu Li

    (Institute of Technology for Future Industry, School of Science and Technology Instrument Application Engineering, Shenzhen University of Information Technology, Shenzhen 518172, China
    College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Yu Jin

    (Institute of Technology for Future Industry, School of Science and Technology Instrument Application Engineering, Shenzhen University of Information Technology, Shenzhen 518172, China)

  • Yaocheng Wang

    (College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
    Key Laboratory for Resilient Infrastructures of Coastal Cities (MOE), College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
    Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Durability for Marine Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Zhijun Dong

    (Institute of Technology for Future Industry, School of Science and Technology Instrument Application Engineering, Shenzhen University of Information Technology, Shenzhen 518172, China)

  • Weipeng Feng

    (Institute of Technology for Future Industry, School of Science and Technology Instrument Application Engineering, Shenzhen University of Information Technology, Shenzhen 518172, China)

Abstract

Urbanization generates large quantities of arsenic-contaminated excavated soils that pose environmental risks due to arsenic volatilization during high-temperature sintering processes. While these soils have potential for recycling into construction materials, their reuse is hindered by arsenic release. This study demonstrated calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2 ) as a highly effective additive for suppressing arsenic volatilization during soil sintering, while simultaneously improving material properties. Through comprehensive characterization using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microtomography (μCT), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), results demonstrated that Ca(OH) 2 addition (0.5–2 wt.%) reduces arsenic volatilization by 57% through formation of thermally stable calcium arsenate (Ca 3 (AsO 4 ) 2 ). Ca(OH) 2 acted via two mechanisms: (a) chemical immobilization through Ca-As-O compound formation, (b) physical encapsulation in a calcium-aluminosilicate matrix during liquid-phase sintering, and (c) pH buffering that maintains arsenic in less volatile forms. Optimal performance was achieved at 0.5% Ca(OH) 2 , yielding 9.14 MPa compressive strength (29% increase) with minimal arsenic leaching (<110 ppb). Microstructural analysis showed Ca(OH) 2 promoted densification while higher doses increased porosity. This work provides a practical solution for safe reuse of arsenic-contaminated soils, addressing both environmental concerns and material performance requirements for construction applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu Li & Yu Jin & Yaocheng Wang & Zhijun Dong & Weipeng Feng, 2025. "Inhibition Mechanism of Calcium Hydroxide on Arsenic Volatilization During Sintering of Contaminated Excavated Soils," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-24, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9027-:d:1769342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lu, Weisheng & Webster, Chris & Chen, Ke & Zhang, Xiaoling & Chen, Xi, 2017. "Computational Building Information Modelling for construction waste management: Moving from rhetoric to reality," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 587-595.
    2. Tong Huang & Shicong Kou & Deyou Liu & Dawang Li & Feng Xing, 2022. "Evaluation of the Techno-Economic Feasibility for Excavated Soil Recycling in Shenzhen, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-16, March.
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