Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Mercury contamination in soils represents a significant environmental and public health concern due to its high toxicity, persistence in the environment, and potential for bioaccumulation. This review critically evaluates conventional remediation techniques for mercury-contaminated soils, focusing on their effectiveness and inherent limitations. It synthesizes findings from recent studies to assess the efficacy of widely used methods, including soil washing, thermal desorption, and chemical stabilization, while analyzing factors that influence their success and failure, such as mercury speciation, soil properties, and the presence of co-contaminants. The review identifies critical knowledge gaps and highlights opportunities for future research aimed at developing improved remediation strategies tailored to specific mercury forms and environmental contexts. A comprehensive assessment is provided, emphasizing the need for innovations that enhance remediation outcomes while addressing the economic and environmental costs associated with these approaches. Overall, the review seeks to advance sustainable and effective solutions for mitigating the environmental and health risks posed by mercury-contaminated soils.
Author: Musa Mpelwa
Institution: Teofilo Kisanji University
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4416631918