Magnesium polypeptide combined with microbially induced calcite precipitation for remediation of lead contamination in phosphate mining wasteland soil

Soil Pb contamination is inevitable, as a result of phosphate mining. It is essential to explore more effective Pb remediation approaches in phosphate mining wasteland soil to ensure their viability for a gradual return of soil quality for cultivation. In this study, a Pb-resistant urease-producing bacterium, Serratia marcescens W1Z1, was screened for remediation using microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP). Magnesium polypeptide (MP) was prepared from soybean meal residue, and the combined remediation of Pb contamination with MP and MICP in phosphate mining wasteland soil was studied. Remediation of Pb using a combination of MP with MICP strain W1Z1 (WM treatment) was the most effective, with the least exchangeable Pb at 30.37% and the most carbonate-bound Pb at 40.82%, compared to the other treatments, with a pH increase of 8.38. According to the community analysis, MP moderated the damage to microbial abundance and diversity caused by MICP. Total nitrogen (TN) was positively correlated with Firmicutes, pH, and carbonate-bound Pb. Serratia inoculated with strain W1Z1 were positively correlated with bacteria belonging to the Firmicutes phylum and negatively correlated with bacteria belonging to Proteobacteria. The available phosphate (AP) in the phosphate mining wasteland soil could encapsulate the precipitated Pb by ion exchange with carbonate, making it more stable. Combined MP-MICP remediation of Pb contamination in phosphate mining wasteland soil was effective and improved the soil microenvironment.