Remediation of arsenic-contaminated calcareous agricultural soils by iron-oxidizing bacteria combined with organic fertilizer

In arid soil with low-iron and high-calcium carbonate contents, the fate of arsenic (As) is mainly controlled by the contents of calcium and organic matter in the soil. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about their interaction and that effect on their absorption by maize. The purpose of this study was to explore the long-term immobilization and repair mechanism of in situ As-contaminated farmland. We designed three treatments: iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB), organic fertilizer, FeOB and organic fertilizer added in combination. After 140-day field farmland remediation trial, the results showed that the FeOB can effectively immobilize the water-soluble As (FS1) in soil, and the organic fertilizer promoted the remediation of FeOB. In addition, the content of As in maize grains was reduced after treatment by FeOB and organic fertilizer. The XRD and XPS analysis of the topsoil showed that the combined treatment of FeOB and organic fertilizer promoted the formation of calcium arsenate mineral with low solubility and high stability; As(III) would gradually transform into As(V). The biological iron (hydr)oxide can increase the contents of Fe and As in the rhizosphere and form iron plaques on the surface of the roots by SEM–EDS analysis of maize root. Collectively, these results clarify the main biogeochemical ways to control the fate of As in calcareous soils with low-iron and low-organic matter contents and provide a basis for in situ remediation of As.