0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Policy & Risk Sign in to save

Preparation of phosphogypsum ecological concrete and study on its phytogenic properties

Frontiers in Environmental Science 2025 5 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 53 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Rongxin Liu, Chunyu Liu, Jiang Du, Cheng Wang, Yonghui Yuan, Xin Zhang

Summary

Researchers developed an ecological concrete using phosphogypsum and electrolytic manganese slag that supports plant growth while effectively immobilizing heavy metals. The concrete achieved good mechanical performance and porosity, and plants grown on it showed 30% increased root length and 25% improved biomass compared to controls. While focused on construction materials, the study contributes to sustainable approaches for recycling industrial waste that might otherwise become sources of environmental contamination.

In this study, vegetative eco-concrete was prepared based on electrolytic manganese slag/phosphogypsum composite cementitious material as binder and clayey ceramic grains as aggregate. Based on the conditions of porosity and water-cement ratio, the optimal proportion of phosphogypsum-based eco-concrete was investigated, and concrete specimens with good performance were prepared (14 days compressive strength: 3.49 MPa, permeability coefficient: 1.37, total porosity: 24.5%, Improved compressive strength by 15% and water retention by 20%). The nutrient matrix of vegetative eco-concrete with different phosphogypsum/electrolytic manganese slag ratios was designed and modified, and the vegetative performance of the eco-concrete was investigated using four-season grass, ryegrass, clippings and clover as the grass species. The results showed that the eco-concrete based on phosphogypsum as raw material was rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which could meet the requirements of plant growth, Supporting plant growth with a 30% increase in root length and 25% improvement in biomass compared to control concrete. The addition of improvers had a good passivation effect on heavy metals such as As, Cu, Cr, Zn, Sb and Pb in the phytogenic substrate. The adaptability of different grass species to the planting substrate was Four Seasons > ryegrass > shepherd’s purse > clover, alfalfa, dogbane; the application of electrolytic manganese slag substrate had the best performance of planting, and the planting substrate with the application of improver inhibited the growth of plants. The study addresses the challenge of using phosphogypsum as a binder in concrete, which has traditionally faced issues with strength and stability. By optimizing the mix ratio and curing process, we were able to achieve a concrete material that not only performs well mechanically but also supports plant growth.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Evaluation of toxicity and genotoxicity of concrete cast with steel slags using higher terrestrial plants

Researchers assessed the toxicity and genotoxicity of concrete mixtures incorporating steel slag as a 30% replacement for natural aggregate, using a battery of higher plant bioassays to evaluate whether potentially harmful compounds leached from four different steel slag types pose risks to terrestrial ecosystems.

Article Tier 2

Performance Study of Sustainable Concrete Containing Recycled Aggregates from Non-Selected Construction and Demolition Waste

Researchers investigated the mechanical performance of sustainable concrete made with recycled aggregates from non-selected construction and demolition waste in Iran. The study evaluates how incorporating waste materials into concrete production can reduce construction debris in landfills while maintaining acceptable structural performance.

Article Tier 2

The Impact of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate as Aggregate Replacement on Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of Mortar

Researchers tested mortar made with recycled PET plastic replacing some of the natural aggregate and found that it maintained comparable compressive strength while passing ecotoxicity tests with plants. The study suggests that incorporating recycled plastic waste into construction materials could be a viable way to reduce plastic in landfills without creating significant environmental harm.

Article Tier 2

Investigating the Viability of Recycling Rice Husk Ash and Plastic Bag Waste to Enhance Durability of Lightweight Concrete

Researchers investigated using recycled rice husk ash and plastic bag waste to enhance durability of lightweight concrete, finding that these waste materials improved certain mechanical and durability properties while reducing environmental impact of construction.

Article Tier 2

Environmental Protection Through the Management of SBR and PET Waste in the Innovative Concrete Building Block APS

Researchers developed an innovative hollow concrete block (APS) incorporating recycled SBR rubber granules and PET plastic flakes, demonstrating that the design provides effective waste management for these materials while maintaining structural suitability for foundation and retaining wall construction.

Share this paper