Heavy metal contamination in the na

Heavy metal contamination in the natural environment is a major problem for human health and environmental quality [1,2]. Most of the heavy metals are persistent in soil because of their immobilenature. When agricultural soils are contaminated by heavy metals discharged from chemical plants, plant foliage is damaged and both growth rate and crop production are also retarded. For preventing the soil and groundwater pollution, and to ensure sustainable use of the land and groundwater resource, the separation of heavy metals from the contaminated soils to be an important work. In this research, the basic characteristics of metals in the soils were studied, and which were subjected to leaching test. The results of experimental leaching tests was used to predict the metal concentrations and the pH of leaching solution at equilibrium. The result of laboratory research showed that the content of heavy metals contaminants is primarily governed by the grain size. The optimum separation process was approached through hydrocyclone separation. Combining with acidic solution washing, the treatment approach might achieve particle isolation and contaminant removal.