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Xu Y, Seshadri B, Sarkar B, Wang H, Rumpel C, Sparks D, Farrell M, Hall T, Yang X, Bolan N. Biochar modulates heavy metal toxicity and improves microbial carbon use efficiency in soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 621:148-159. [PMID: 29179070 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Soil organic carbon is essential to improve soil fertility and ecosystem functioning. Soil microorganisms contribute significantly to the carbon transformation and immobilisation processes. However, microorganisms are sensitive to environmental stresses such as heavy metals. Applying amendments, such as biochar, to contaminated soils can alleviate the metal toxicity and add carbon inputs. In this study, Cd and Pb spiked soils treated with macadamia nutshell biochar (5% w/w) were monitored during a 49days incubation period. Microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were extracted and analysed as biomarkers in order to identify the microbial community composition. Soil properties, metal bioavailability, microbial respiration, and microbial biomass carbon were measured after the incubation period. Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) was calculated from the ratio of carbon incorporated into microbial biomass to the carbon mineralised. Total PLFA concentration decreased to a greater extent in metal contaminated soils than uncontaminated soils. Microbial CUE also decreased due to metal toxicity. However, biochar addition alleviated the metal toxicity, and increased total PLFA concentration. Both microbial respiration and biomass carbon increased due to biochar application, and CUE was significantly (p<0.01) higher in biochar treated soils than untreated soils. Heavy metals reduced the microbial carbon sequestration in contaminated soils by negatively influencing the CUE. The improvement of CUE through biochar addition in the contaminated soils could be attributed to the decrease in metal bioavailability, thereby mitigating the biotoxicity to soil microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilu Xu
- Global Center for Environmental Remediation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Balaji Seshadri
- Global Center for Environmental Remediation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Hailong Wang
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong 528000, China
| | - Cornelia Rumpel
- CNRS, Institute of Ecology and Environment Paris, IEES, CNRS-INRA-UPMC-UPEC-IRD, Thiverval-Grignon 78850, France
| | - Donald Sparks
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Delaware Environmental Institute, University of Delaware, Newark 19711, USA
| | - Mark Farrell
- CSIRO Agriculture & Food, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Tony Hall
- Sprigg Geobiology Centre & Department of Earth Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Xiaodong Yang
- Global Center for Environmental Remediation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Urumqi 830046, China; Institute of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- Global Center for Environmental Remediation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation for the Environment, University of Newcastle, Callahan, NSW 2308, Australia; International Centre for Balanced Land Use, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.
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Tošić S, Alagić S, Dimitrijević M, Pavlović A, Nujkić M. Plant parts of the apple tree (Malus spp.) as possible indicators of heavy metal pollution. AMBIO 2016; 45:501-12. [PMID: 26711894 PMCID: PMC4824701 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-015-0742-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The content of Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, and Ni was determined by ICP-OES in spatial soil and parts (root, branches, leaves, and fruit) of the apple tree (Malus spp.) from polluted sites near The Mining and Smelting Complex Bor (Serbia). The aim of this study was to examine if the obtained results can be used for biomonitoring purposes. Data recorded in plant parts, especially leaves, gave very useful information about the environmental state of the Bor region. Conveniently, these data described well the capability of investigated plant species to assimilate and tolerate severely high concentrations of heavy metals in its tissues, which may further allow the possibility for utilization of the apple tree for phytostabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snežana Tošić
- />Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, Nis, 18000 Serbia
| | - Slađana Alagić
- />Technical Faculty Bor, University of Belgrade, Vojske Jugoslavije 12, Bor, 19210 Serbia
| | - Mile Dimitrijević
- />Technical Faculty Bor, University of Belgrade, Vojske Jugoslavije 12, Bor, 19210 Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Pavlović
- />Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, Nis, 18000 Serbia
| | - Maja Nujkić
- />Technical Faculty Bor, University of Belgrade, Vojske Jugoslavije 12, Bor, 19210 Serbia
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