Application of Biochar for the Restoration of Metal(loid)s Contaminated Soils

Biochar has recently aroused great interest for the restoration of contaminated soils since it improves soil properties and induces the immobilization of pollutants. This study evaluates the use of biochar from plant pruning, applied as an amendment, for immobilizing metal(loid)s in a highly contami...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied sciences 2022-02, Vol.12 (4), p.1918
Main Authors: Graziano, Marta, Martín-Peinado, Francisco José, Delgado-Moreno, Laura
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
Adsorption
Bioassays
Bioavailability
biochar
Biomass
Bioremediation
Carbon
Charcoal
Contamination
Germination
Immobilization
metal immobilization
Mining
Mining accidents & safety
Moisture content
Phytotoxicity
Plant growth
Pollutants
Pruning
Revegetation
Sediment pollution
Seed germination
Soil amendment
soil bioremediation
Soil chemistry
Soil conditions
Soil contamination
Soil improvement
Soil pH
Soil pollution
Soil properties
Trifolium pratense
Vegetation
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Summary:Biochar has recently aroused great interest for the restoration of contaminated soils since it improves soil properties and induces the immobilization of pollutants. This study evaluates the use of biochar from plant pruning, applied as an amendment, for immobilizing metal(loid)s in a highly contaminated soil as well as for reducing the phytotoxicity of these pollutants by promoting natural revegetation. For this purpose, a bioassay with Trifolium pratense L. was used to test the effectiveness of the soil amendment in greenhouse conditions. Three treatments were carried out including soil contaminated with metal(loid)s (RA), and this soil was amended with biochar at different dosage: 4% (RA4B) and 8% (RA8B). A non-contaminated soil (NC) from a nearby area not affected by contamination was used as a control. The results show that biochar increased soil pH by several units depending on the dose used, 8% being the most effective one. Biochar treatments also reduced soluble and bioavailable forms of Zn and Cu. Likewise, phytotoxicity was significantly reduced, promoting seed germination and biomass with plant growth values similar to the non-polluted soil. In light of the results obtained, the evaluation of the bioremediation potential of biochar under field conditions can be considered.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app12041918