The College of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University discussed a master dissertation on the effect of traditional calcium-based stabilizers and inorganic agents in treating contaminated soil by the postgraduate student, Ms. Yaqeen Mustafa Fandi.

The dissertation aimed at evaluating the efficiency of traditional calcium-based stabilizing materials, primarily Portland cement, along with inorganic materials such as fly ash, in improving the properties of contaminated sandy soil and reducing heavy metal leaching.

The dissertation reviewed treating soil contaminated with high concentrations of nickel and copper ions and stabilizing it using different percentages of cement (2%, 5%, and 7%) and comparing the results with treatment using fly ash at percentages of (10%, 15%, and 20%).

The dissertation demonstrated decrease in nickel and copper concentrations to below standard limits, confirming the effectiveness of these materials in stabilizing heavy metals and reducing their leaching, furthermore, the increased resistance of the cement-treated soil significantly reduced leaching. 

The dissertation concluded that the cement-treated soil became alkaline in nature, while it remained close to neutral when using fly ash, X-ray diffraction analysis also showed the presence of heavy metals within the cement structure, confirming the success of the stabilization (hardening) process.