IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v12y2023i2p383-d1052482.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Use of biochar in the Remediation of Pb , Cd , and Cu -Contaminated Soils. The Impact of biochar Feedstock and Preparation Conditions on Its Remediation Capacity

Author

Listed:
  • Theodora Bousdra

    (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 383 34 Volos, Greece)

  • Sotiria G. Papadimou

    (Laboratory of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Evangelia E. Golia

    (Laboratory of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

Soil constitutes an important part of terrestrial ecosystems, prone to be adversely impacted by human activities. During the last decades, several methods have been developed aiming at its remediation, including the use of biochar as a soil amendment. In the present work, we have assessed the reduction of Pb, Cd, and Cu soil concentrations as a function of the mixing ratio of biochar added to soil, as well as the source of biochar employed. Furthermore, we have investigated the effects of biochar addition relating to the chemical forms of heavy metals (HMs) related to their bioavailability and mobility. The concentrations of HMs were determined by the BCR (European Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure before and after biochar addition to the soils. Five types of biochar were used, obtained as by-products of sugarcane bagasse (Β), bamboo (ΒΒ), rice straw (RSB), garden waste (GB), and paulownia (PB) treatment, respectively. Biochar derived from sugarcane (B) reduced the availability of metals, as it decreased their concentration in the acid extractable fraction, by 40.5, 66.6, and 50% for Pb, Cd, and Cu, respectively. In addition, (B) application increased the residual fraction of Cu and Pb by 9% and 24.8%, respectively. Biochar derived from garden residues (GB) and paulownia plant (PB) dramatically increased the residual fraction of Cd over 97%, minimizing its availability. Sugarcane-derived biochar appeared to significantly increase Cu and Pb residual fraction concentrations and decrease available Cd concentration. Similar changes are caused by the types of biochar in the following order: biochar from sugarcane > paulownia > garden wastes > bamboo > rice straw. The redistribution of HM concentrations causes a significant improvement of environmental quality in polluted soils, as it limits the mobility and availability of toxic metals to the soil ecosystem. The use of biochar is a low-cost and eco-friendly method for the remediation of contaminated with HMs soils in the framework of a circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Theodora Bousdra & Sotiria G. Papadimou & Evangelia E. Golia, 2023. "The Use of biochar in the Remediation of Pb , Cd , and Cu -Contaminated Soils. The Impact of biochar Feedstock and Preparation Conditions on Its Remediation Capacity," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:2:p:383-:d:1052482
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/383/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/383/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rong Huang & Bing Li & Yulan Chen & Qi Tao & Qiang Xu & Denghong Wen & Xuesong Gao & Qiquan Li & Xiaoyan Tang & Changquan Wang, 2022. "Biochar Application Increases Labile Carbon and Inorganic Nitrogen Supply in a Continuous Monocropping Soil," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-17, March.
    2. David O’Connor & Deyi Hou & Yong Sik Ok & Bruce P. Lanphear, 2020. "The effects of iniquitous lead exposure on health," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(2), pages 77-79, February.
    3. Meina Liang & Lin Lu & Huijun He & Jingxi Li & Zongqiang Zhu & Yinian Zhu, 2021. "Applications of Biochar and Modified Biochar in Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil: A Descriptive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Arwa A. AL-Huqail & Pankaj Kumar & Ebrahem M. Eid & Bashir Adelodun & Sami Abou Fayssal & Jogendra Singh & Ashish Kumar Arya & Madhumita Goala & Vinod Kumar & Ivan Širić, 2022. "Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination in Soil and Two Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) Varieties Irrigated with Paper Mill Effluent," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, November.
    5. Muhammad Saqlain Zaheer & Hafiz Haider Ali & Walid Soufan & Rashid Iqbal & Muhammad Habib-ur-Rahman & Javaid Iqbal & Muhammad Israr & Ayman El Sabagh, 2021. "Potential Effects of Biochar Application for Improving Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) Growth and Soil Biochemical Properties under Drought Stress Conditions," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-12, October.
    6. Lydia Fryda & Rianne Visser, 2015. "Biochar for Soil Improvement: Evaluation of Biochar from Gasification and Slow Pyrolysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-40, November.
    7. Chumki Banik & Jacek A. Koziel & Darcy Bonds & Asheesh K. Singh & Mark A. Licht, 2021. "Comparing Biochar-Swine Manure Mixture to Conventional Manure Impact on Soil Nutrient Availability and Plant Uptake—A Greenhouse Study," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-20, April.
    8. Mahrous Awad & Mahmuod M. El-Sayed & Xiang Li & Zhongzhen Liu & Syed Khalid Mustafa & Allah Ditta & Kamel Hessini, 2021. "Diminishing Heavy Metal Hazards of Contaminated Soil via Biochar Supplementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Karolina Barčauskaitė & Olga Anne & Ieva Mockevičienė & Regina Repšienė & Gintaras Šiaudinis & Danutė Karčauskienė, 2023. "Determination of Heavy Metals Immobilization by Chemical Fractions in Contaminated Soil Amended with Biochar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Shuai Zhang & Haibo Hu & Xiangdong Jia & Xia Wang & Jianyu Chen & Can Cheng & Xichuan Jia & Zhaoming Wu & Li Zhu, 2022. "How Biochar Derived from Pond Cypress ( Taxodium Ascendens ) Evolved with Pyrolysis Temperature and Time and Their End Efficacy Evaluation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Muhammad Aamir Iqbal & Rana Zain Raza & Mohsin Zafar & Omar M. Ali & Raees Ahmed & Junaid Rahim & Raina Ijaz & Zahoor Ahmad & Brandon J. Bethune, 2022. "Integrated Fertilizers Synergistically Bolster Temperate Soybean Growth, Yield, and Oil Content," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Aso H. Saeed H. Salih & Abdullah A. Hama & Karzan A. M. Hawrami & Allah Ditta, 2021. "The Land Snail, Eobania vermiculata , as a Bioindicator of the Heavy Metal Pollution in the Urban Areas of Sulaimani, Iraq," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-14, December.
    5. Long, Jimiao & Deng, Lei & Che, Defu, 2020. "Analysis on organic compounds in water leachate from biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 1070-1078.
    6. Haimei Chen & Haibin Chen & Levente Kardos & Veronika Szabó, 2023. "Application of Biochar for Ion-Adsorption of Rare Earth Contaminated Soil Remediation: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, May.
    7. Wei Wei & Yan Song, 2023. "Microbial–Plant Collaborative Remediation of Cd-Contaminated Wastewater and Soil in the Surrounding Area of Nuclear Power Plants and Risk Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, July.
    8. Ruben Budău & Andrei Apăfăian & Mihail Caradaică & Iulian A. Bratu & Claudia S. C. Timofte & Cristian M. Enescu, 2023. "Expert-Based Assessment of the Potential of Agroforestry Systems in Plain Regions across Bihor County, Western Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    9. Truong Xuan Vuong & Thi Thu Ha Pham & Thi Thu Thuy Nguyen & Dung Thuy Nguyen Pham, 2023. "Effects of Biochar and Apatite on Chemical Forms of Lead and Zinc in Multi-Metal-Contaminated Soil after Incubation: A Comparison of Peanut Shell and Corn Cob Biochar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, August.
    10. Rizki Maftukhah & Katharina M. Keiblinger & Ngadisih Ngadisih & Murtiningrum Murtiningrum & Rosana M. Kral & Axel Mentler & Rebecca Hood-Nowotny, 2023. "Post-Tin-Mining Agricultural Soil Regeneration Using Local Organic Amendments Improve Nitrogen Fixation and Uptake in a Legume–Cassava Intercropping System," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, May.
    11. Sajjad Nasiri & Babak Andalibi & Afshin Tavakoli & Mohammad Amir Delavar & Ali El-Keblawy & Lukas Van Zwieten & Andrea Mastinu, 2023. "The Mineral Biochar Alters the Biochemical and Microbial Properties of the Soil and the Grain Yield of Hordeum vulgare L. under Drought Stress," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, February.
    12. Muhammad Sabir & Edita Baltrėnaitė-Gedienė & Allah Ditta & Hussain Ullah & Aatika Kanwal & Sajid Ullah & Turki Kh. Faraj, 2022. "Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in a Soil–Plant System from an Open Dumpsite and the Associated Health Risks through Multiple Routes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-22, October.
    13. Darcy Bonds & Jacek A. Koziel & Mriganka De & Baitong Chen & Asheesh K. Singh & Mark A. Licht, 2022. "Dataset Documenting the Interactions of Biochar with Manure, Soil, and Plants: Towards Improved Sustainability of Animal and Crop Agriculture," Data, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-9, March.
    14. Enrico Catizzone & Corradino Sposato & Assunta Romanelli & Donatella Barisano & Giacinto Cornacchia & Luigi Marsico & Daniela Cozza & Massimo Migliori, 2021. "Purification of Wastewater from Biomass-Derived Syngas Scrubber Using Biochar and Activated Carbons," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-20, April.
    15. Shakeel Ahmad & Fazal Hadi & Amin Ullah Jan & Raza Ullah & Bedur Faleh A. Albalawi & Allah Ditta, 2022. "Appraisal of Heavy Metals Accumulation, Physiological Response, and Human Health Risks of Five Crop Species Grown at Various Distances from Traffic Highway," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, December.
    16. Muhammad Kashif Ejaz & Muhammad Aurangzaib & Rashid Iqbal & Muhammad Shahzaman & Muhammad Habib-ur-Rahman & Mohamed El-Sharnouby & Rahul Datta & Fahad M. Alzuaibr & Mohamed I. Sakran & Chukwuma C. Ogb, 2022. "The Use of Soil Conditioners to Ensure a Sustainable Wheat Yield under Water Deficit Conditions by Enhancing the Physiological and Antioxidant Potentials," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, March.
    17. Rositsa Velichkova & Martin Pushkarov & Radostina A. Angelova & Ognyan Sandov & Detelin Markov & Iskra Simova & Peter Stankov, 2022. "Exploring the Potential of Straw Biochar for Environmentally Friendly Fertilizers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, May.
    18. Ali Abdelaal & Vittoria Benedetti & Audrey Villot & Francesco Patuzzi & Claire Gerente & Marco Baratieri, 2023. "Innovative Pathways for the Valorization of Biomass Gasification Char: A Systematic Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-24, May.
    19. Hernández, J.J. & Saffe, A. & Collado, R. & Monedero, E., 2020. "Recirculation of char from biomass gasification: Effects on gasifier performance and end-char properties," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 806-813.
    20. Agus Haryanto & Wahyu Hidayat & Udin Hasanudin & Dewi Agustina Iryani & Sangdo Kim & Sihyun Lee & Jiho Yoo, 2021. "Valorization of Indonesian Wood Wastes through Pyrolysis: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-25, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:2:p:383-:d:1052482. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.