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Maqbool Z, Shahbaz Farooq M, Rafiq A, Uzair M, Yousuf M, Ramzan Khan M, Huo S. Unlocking the potential of biochar in the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals for sustainable agriculture. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2024; 51:FP23257. [PMID: 38310926 DOI: 10.1071/fp23257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Agricultural soils contaminated with heavy metals (HMs) impose a threat to the environmental and to human health. Amendment with biochar could be an eco-friendly and cost-effective option to decrease HMs in contaminated soil. This paper reviews the application of biochar as a soil amendment to immobilise HMs in contaminated soil. We discuss the technologies of its preparation, their specific properties, and effect on the bioavailability of HMs. Biochar stabilises HMs in contaminated soil, enhance the overall quality of the contaminated soil, and significantly reduce HM uptake by plants, making it an option in soil remediation for HM contamination. Biochar enhances the physical (e.g. bulk density, soil structure, water holding capacity), chemical (e.g. cation exchange capacity, pH, nutrient availability, ion exchange, complexes), and biological properties (e.g. microbial abundance, enzymatic activities) of contaminated soil. Biochar also enhances soil fertility, improves plant growth, and reduces the plant availability of HMs. Various field studies have shown that biochar application reduces the bioavailability of HMs from contaminated soil while increasing crop yield. The review highlights the positive effects of biochar by reducing HM bioavailability in contaminated soils. Future work is recommended to ensure that biochars offer a safe and sustainable solution to remediate soils contaminated with HMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubaira Maqbool
- School of Food Science and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; and Department of Soil Science and Environmental Science, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahbaz Farooq
- School of Food Science and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; and Rice Research Program, Crop Sciences Institute (CSI), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Park Road, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Anum Rafiq
- Institute Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Muhammad Uzair
- National Institute of Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yousuf
- Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), G5, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ramzan Khan
- National Institute of Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shuhao Huo
- School of Food Science and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
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Xiao J, Li X, Zhang X, Cao Y, Vithanage M, Bolan N, Wang H, Zhong Z, Chen G. Contrasting effect of pristine, ball-milled and Fe-Mn modified bone biochars on dendroremediation potential of Salix jiangsuensis "172" for cadmium- and zinc-contaminated soil. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:123019. [PMID: 38008255 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Bone biochar (BC) has a high capacity for the immobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs); however, its effect on dendroremediation efficiency remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of various concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt%) of BC, ball-milled BC (MBC), and Fe-Mn oxide-modified BC (FMBC) on soil properties, plant growth, and metal accumulation in Salix jiangsuensis "172" (SJ-172) grown in cadmium (Cd)- and zinc (Zn)-contaminated soil. BC and MBC promoted the photosynthetic rate, mineral element absorption, and plant growth of SJ-172, whereas FMBC inhibited the growth of SJ-172. Different biochars greatly influenced the concentrations of Cd and Zn in tissues of SJ-172. BC and MBC elevated the Cd levels, whereas FMBC decreased the Cd content in the leaves, stems, and cuttings of SJ-172. Unlikely, BC, MBC and FMBC show no evident change to the Zn concentration in the aboveground tissues of SJ-172, while decreased root Cd and Zn content compared with the control. MBC, at a 2.0% application rate, significantly increased the translocation factors of Cd (55.0%) and Zn (40.87%), whereas BC and FMBC demonstrated no significant effects compared with the control (P > 0.05). Moreover, 2.0% BC and MBC increased Cd and Zn accumulation in SJ-172 by 28.40 and 41.14, and 25.89 and 36.16%, respectively, whereas 2.0% FMBC reduced Cd and Zn accumulation by 53.20% and 13.18 %, respectively, compared with the control. The phytoremediation potential of SJ-172 for Cd- and Zn-contaminated soils was enhanced by MBC and BC, whereas it was lowered by FMBC compared to the control. These results provide novel insights for the application of fast-growing trees assisted by biochar amendments in the dendroremediation of severely PTEs-contaminated soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Xiao
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, 311400, China
| | - Xiaogang Li
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, 311400, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- China National Bamboo Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Yini Cao
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, 311400, China
| | - Meththika Vithanage
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Hailong Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, China; Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China; Biochar Engineering Technology Research Center of Guangdong Province, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, China
| | - Zheke Zhong
- China National Bamboo Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Guangcai Chen
- Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, 311400, China.
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Arora S, Jung J, Liu M, Li X, Goel A, Chen J, Song S, Anderson C, Chen D, Leong K, Lim SH, Fong SL, Ghosh S, Lin A, Kua HW, Tan HTW, Dai Y, Wang CH. Gasification biochar from horticultural waste: An exemplar of the circular economy in Singapore. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 781:146573. [PMID: 33798876 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Organic waste, the predominant component of global solid waste, has never been higher, resulting in increased landfilling, incineration, and open dumping that releases greenhouse gases and toxins that contribute to global warming and environmental pollution. The need to create and adopt sustainable closed-loop systems for waste reduction and valorization is critical. Using organic waste as a feedstock, gasification and pyrolysis systems can produce biooil, syngas, and thermal energy, while reducing waste mass by as much as 85-95% through conversion into biochar, a valuable byproduct with myriad uses from soil conditioning to bioremediation and carbon sequestration. Here, we present a novel case study detailing the circular economy of gasification biochar in Singapore's Gardens by the Bay. Biochar produced from horticultural waste within the Gardens was tested as a partial peat moss substitute in growing lettuce, pak choi, and pansy, and found to be a viable substitute for peat moss. At low percentages of 20-30% gasification biochar, fresh weight yields for lettuce and pak choi were comparable to or exceeded those of plants grown in pure peat moss. The biochar was also analyzed as a potential additive to concrete, with a 2% biochar mortar compound found to be of suitable strength for non-structural functions, such as sidewalks, ditches, and other civil applications. These results demonstrate the global potential of circular economies based on local biochar creation and on-site use through the valorization of horticultural waste via gasification, generating clean, renewable heat or electricity, and producing a carbon-neutral to -negative byproduct in the form of biochar. They also indicate the potential of scaled-up pyrolysis or gasification systems for a circular economy in waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srishti Arora
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, Create Tower #15-02, 138602, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore
| | - Janelle Jung
- Research & Horticulture Department, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, 018953, Singapore
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, 117585, Singapore
| | - Xian Li
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, Create Tower #15-02, 138602, Singapore
| | - Abhimanyu Goel
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, Create Tower #15-02, 138602, Singapore
| | - Jialing Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, 117585, Singapore; School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Shuang Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore
| | - Carly Anderson
- Research & Horticulture Department, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, 018953, Singapore
| | - Dexiang Chen
- Research & Horticulture Department, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, 018953, Singapore
| | - Ken Leong
- Mursun PTE. LTD, 14 Robinson Road, 048545, Singapore
| | - Song Hau Lim
- Singapore Power, 2 Kallang Sector, 349277, Singapore
| | - Siew Lee Fong
- Agri-technology & Food Innovation Department, Singapore Food Agency, 10 Perahu Road, 718837, Singapore
| | - Subhadip Ghosh
- Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (Research), National Parks Board, 259569, Singapore; School of Environmental & Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia
| | - Alexander Lin
- Department of Building, National University of Singapore, 4 Architecture Drive, 117566, Singapore
| | - Harn Wei Kua
- Department of Building, National University of Singapore, 4 Architecture Drive, 117566, Singapore
| | - Hugh T W Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore
| | - Yanjun Dai
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Chi-Hwa Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, 117585, Singapore.
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Thomas SC. Post-processing of biochars to enhance plant growth responses: a review and meta-analysis. BIOCHAR 2021; 3:437-455. [PMID: 34723131 PMCID: PMC8547209 DOI: 10.1007/s42773-021-00115-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A number of processes for post-production treatment of "raw" biochars, including leaching, aeration, grinding or sieving to reduce particle size, and chemical or steam activation, have been suggested as means to enhance biochar effectiveness in agriculture, forestry, and environmental restoration. Here, I review studies on post-production processing methods and their effects on biochar physio-chemical properties and present a meta-analysis of plant growth and yield responses to post-processed vs. "raw" biochars. Data from 23 studies provide a total of 112 comparisons of responses to processed vs. unprocessed biochars, and 103 comparisons allowing assessment of effects relative to biochar particle size; additional 8 published studies involving 32 comparisons provide data on effects of biochar leachates. Overall, post-processed biochars resulted in significantly increased average plant growth responses 14% above those observed with unprocessed biochar. This overall effect was driven by plant growth responses to reduced biochar particle size, and heating/aeration treatments. The assessment of biochar effects by particle size indicates a peak at a particle size of 0.5-1.0 mm. Biochar leachate treatments showed very high heterogeneity among studies and no average growth benefit. I conclude that physiochemical post-processing of biochar offers substantial additional agronomic benefits compared to the use of unprocessed biochar. Further research on post-production treatments effects will be important for biochar utilization to maximize benefits to carbon sequestration and system productivity in agriculture, forestry, and environmental restoration. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42773-021-00115-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C. Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3 Canada
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