NEW APPROACHES REGARDING REMEDIATION TECHNIQUES OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATED SOILS FROM MINING AREAS

Currently, heavy metal contamination of the soil and water near mining areas is a critical environmental problem that concerned all humanity due to its impact on ecological environment and human health. In order to remediate the heavy metal contaminated soils from mining areas, some technologies, generally based on physical, chemical, thermal and biological approaches, have long been in use to clean-up heavy metal contaminated soils to an acceptable and safe level. However, effectiveness of these methods depends a lot of soil type and characteristics, level of pollution and mixed contaminants present in soil. Moreover, some conventional technologies pose a secondary risk on environment. Thus, efficient eco-friendly techniques, based on natural materials or natural constituents of the soil needs development and research. This paper will provide an overview of the recent exploration and research, attempts of the remediation effectiveness assessment and developments regarding decontamination technologies applicable for the removal of heavy metals from soils near mining areas, being focused on new approaches regarding remediation methods. Moreover, limitations, financial aspects and future remediation research needs are also summary discussed.