Immobilization of heavy metals by stabilization amendments is a promising method to restore contaminated soils. In our study, we investigated the efficiency of zero-valent iron (Fe0) added to the soil in the form of iron grit to reduce leaching and uptake of Zn and Cd by Lupinus albus L. Results of column leaching experiments show that metal leaching decreased proportionally to the rate of amendment application (1%, 2% or 5%: w/w) and that the reduction reached up to 98% and 83% for Zn and Cd respectively. An increase in pH and in the number of sorption sites which bind ionic free metals and organometal complexes are possible mechanisms for this attenuation. Moreover, a rhizobox experiment has demonstrated that phytoavailability of Zn and Cd was reduced by 63% and 45% respectively when soil was treated with 5% (w/w) iron grit, and that L. albus did not develop strategies to reduce Zn and Cd uptake in untreated soil. We conclude that covering contaminated soil with L. albus could be used in association with immobilization techniques for soil remediation. However, it is crucial that the amendment and the soil be thoroughly homogenized in order to ensure the maximum reduction of metal uptake
