Using biochar for remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2013-12, Vol.20 (12), p.8472-8483
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiaokai, Wang, Hailong, He, Lizhi, Lu, Kouping, Sarmah, Ajit, Li, Jianwu, Bolan, Nanthi S., Pei, Jianchuan, Huang, Huagang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Agricultural production; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bioavailability; Bioremediation; Carbon sequestration; Charcoal; Charcoal - chemistry; Contaminated Land; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecological Assessment and Remediation Conference Series (CLEAR 2012) : Environmental Pollution and Risk Assessments; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental impact; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Environmental science; Heavy metals; Metals; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Organic Chemicals - chemistry; Organic contaminants; Phosphates; Pollutants; Soil - chemistry; Soil amendment; Soil contamination; Soil pH; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - chemistry; Soil pollution; Soil remediation; Studies; Sustainable use; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1659-0

Soil contamination with heavy metals and organic pollutants has increasingly become a serious global environmental issue in recent years. Considerable efforts have been made to remediate contaminated soils. Biochar has a large surface area, and high capacity to adsorb heavy metals and organic pollutants. Biochar can potentially be used to reduce the bioavailability and leachability of heavy metals and organic pollutants in soils through adsorption and other physicochemical reactions. Biochar is typically an alkaline material which can increase soil pH and contribute to stabilization of heavy metals. Application of biochar for remediation of contaminated soils may provide a new solution to the soil pollution problem. This paper provides an overview on the impact of biochar on the environmental fate and mobility of heavy metals and organic pollutants in contaminated soils and its implication for remediation of contaminated soils. Further research directions are identified to ensure a safe and sustainable use of biochar as a soil amendment for remediation of contaminated soils.