Does adding fly ash to metal-contaminated soils play a role in soil functionality regarding metal availability, litter quality, microbial activity and the community structure of Diptera larvae?

Abstract This study aimed at evaluating the impact of the use of fly ash-aided phytostabilisation as a method to manage highly metal-contaminated soils on soil functionality taking into account the soil and the litter qualities, the Diptera larvae communities and the microbial activity. To reach this goal, 70 parameters were studied. The main results showed that the two studied fly ashes Soproline® and Sodeline® had a positive influence on soil characteristics especially the availability of metals, nearly 14 years after amendment. Regarding biological parameters, no positive or negative effects were found by adding fly ashes to the soil concerning soil basal respiration and urease activity. The fungal activity was even enhanced. In the same way, the fly ashes had no negative effect on the Diptera larvae community and a greater richness of larvae was even found in amended soils. Thus, this study confirmed that aided-phytostabilisation using these fly ashes should be an advantageous technique to manage metal-polluted soils and to recycle industrial wastes.