Remediation of lead-contaminated soil from artisanal mining site using natural zeolite

One of the impacts of artisanal gold mining (ASGM) activity is lead (Pb) contamination in soil. This research was conducted on the Pb contaminated soil at the ASGM sites in Banyumas and Wonogiri in Central Java and Kulon Progo in Yogyakarta. This research aims to conduct a study of Pb mobility in contaminated soil and laboratory experiment to carry out remediation of Pb contaminated soil using natural zeolite with the batch test. The results showed that the Banyumas soil sample had higher Pb mobility compared to the other two soil samples. The batch test results showed that zeolite application useful to reduce Pb in the contaminated soil samples, where the Banyumas soil sample results in optimum value results due to the highest Pb mobility. The batch test results also showed that pH was a significant factor in the remediation process. This study concluded that the zeolite application reduces the concentration and mobility of Pb in the soil and affect the sorption by plants.