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Cd, Pb, and Zn mobility and (bio)availability in contaminated soils from a former smelting site amended with biochar

  • Environmental functions of biochar
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Abstract

Biochar is a potential candidate for the remediation of metal(loid)-contaminated soils. However, the mechanisms of contaminant-biochar retention and release depend on the amount of soil contaminants and physicochemical characteristics, as well as the durability of the biochar contaminant complex, which may be related to the pyrolysis process parameters. The objective of the present study was to evaluate, in a former contaminated smelting site, the impact of two doses of wood biochar (2 and 5% w/w) on metal immobilization and/or phytoavailability and their effectiveness in promoting plant growth in mesocosm experiments. Different soil mixtures were investigated. The main physicochemical parameters and the Cd, Pb, and Zn contents were determined in soil and in soil pore water. Additionally, the growth, dry weight, and metal concentrations were analyzed in the different dwarf bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) organs tested. Results showed that the addition of biochar at two doses (2 and 5%) improved soil conditions by increasing soil pH, electrical conductivity, and water holding capacity. Furthermore, the application of biochar (5%) to metal-contaminated soil reduced Cd, Pb, and Zn mobility and availability, and hence their accumulation in the different P. vulgaris L. organs. In conclusion, the data clearly demonstrated that biochar application can be effectively used for Cd, Pb, and Zn immobilization, thereby reducing their bioavailability and phytotoxicity.

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Abbreviations

DGT:

Diffusive gradient in thin films

DOC:

Dissolved organic carbon

DW:

Dry weight

EC:

Electrical conductivity

G0%:

Garden soil

ICP-AES:

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

MDN:

Mortagne du Nord soil

MDNG:

Mixture of 50% G soil and 50% MDN soil

SPW:

Soil pore water

PTEs:

potential toxic elements

WHC:

Water holding capacity

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Lomaglio, T., Hattab-Hambli, N., Miard, F. et al. Cd, Pb, and Zn mobility and (bio)availability in contaminated soils from a former smelting site amended with biochar. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 25744–25756 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9521-4

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