Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Irappa N Nagaral

Abstract:
Nickel (Ni) is just one of a variety of ubiquitous trace metals emitted into the environment from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Immobilization of such toxic metal in soil using ameliorants is a cost -effective technique for heavy metal contaminated soils. Hence, this study aimed to determine the efficacy of different ameliorants to immobilize nickel (Ni) in spiked soils and thereby reduce their bioavailability. An incubation experiment was estabilished with nickel spiked soil. Such soil was treated with different ameliorants such as lime (CaCO₃), potassium di-hydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄), biochar, FYM, vermicompost, zeolites (clinoptilolites), gypsum and pressmud. Phyto-available nickel was evaluated through selective sequential extraction. There observed a significant reduction in mobile Ni after addition of the amendments. The lime, pressmud, vermicompost and zeolite have high potential in reducing mobile pool of Ni at different incubation intervals.