Leaching characteristics and curing mechanism of magnesium phosphate cement solidified zinc-contaminated soil in an acid rain environment

A semi-dynamic leaching test was used to simulate the erosion effect of acid rain on magnesium phosphate cement (MPC)-stabilized/solidified zinc-contaminated soil. The leaching characteristics and curing mechanism were studied with a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Influences of the initial pH value of the simulated acid rain, the ratio of the curing agent (MgO/KH2PO4, abbreviated M/P), and the mass of water glass on the leaching characteristics of Zn2+ and conductivity in the leachate of the sample were studied. It is shown that the curing effect of the cement component on Zn2+ is better for M/P = 6 when compared to M/P = 4 in a strong acid environment. While in a weak acid environment, it is observed that the curing effect is superior when M/P = 4. Also it is observed that 4% water glass content can effectively improve the cement curing effect of heavy metal Zn in an acid rain environment. These results indicate that water glass can be effectively applied to MPC solidified heavy metal Zn.