Water-Quenched Slag and Desulfurization Gypsum Low-Alkali Chemical Solidification of Copper-Contaminated Soil: Mechanical Properties, Leaching Toxicity, and Solidification Mechanisms
摘要
In this study, an environmental material (GBFS–FGD) was prepared from slag and desulfurized gypsum under low-alkali and ambient conditions to investigate its performance and mechanism in solidifying copper-contaminated soil. The effects of curing age, curing agent dosage, and initial copper ion concentration on the mechanical properties of the solidified bodies were examined using unconfined compressive strength and direct shear tests. The leaching risk of copper ions was assessed by toxicity leaching tests, while XPS, FTIR, and SEM analyses were conducted for microstructural characterization and mechanism analysis. Results showed that increasing the curing agent dosage and extending curing time improved compressive strength and reduced Cu2⁺ leaching. The initial copper ion concentration in the soil was negatively correlated with the strength and positively correlated with the leaching concentration of the solidified body. After 14 days of curing with 15% and 20% curing agent, the leaching concentration of Cu2⁺ ranged from 0.54 to 1.7 mg/L, well below the discharge limit specified in GB8978-1996, and the maximum UCS reached 2.88 MPa. Heavy metal copper was effectively immobilized within the material by both chemical substitution and physical encapsulation.