ABSTRACT
Red mud as a by-product from alumina industry has been used for soil remediation, in particular to immobilize contamination from heavy metals. This is largely due to the alkalinity and oxides and silicate minerals in red mud. Upon the addition of red mud, the environmental evaluation should be considered, as utilization of red mud could improve soil pH, alter the bacteria community, introduce toxic metals and salinity, as well as reduce the leaching and bioavailability of contaminants. This short review summarized red mud characterization and its usage as soil amendments, in particular the environmental considerations that should be evaluated prior to the use of red mud. An integrated approach for evaluation can be used to assess the potential risks employing red mud in soil. The information provided would be useful for practitioners using red mud as a low-cost soil amendment.
