Biological effects of biochar and zeolite used for remediation of soil contaminated with toxic heavy metals

Abstract

Biochar and zeolite are widely used in the remediation of soil contaminated with toxic heavy metals. However, the interaction of these amendments and their effects on grass productivity have not been comprehensively summarized. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effects of zeolite and biochar used as soil amendments in the process of remediating soil contaminated with Cd, Pb and Zn. In a pot experiment, the following treatments were applied: zeolite, biochars produced at temperatures of 350 °C and 550 °C, mixtures of biochars and zeolite, and a control treatment without any amendments. The soil amendments were tested on two grass species: tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.). The root morphometric parameters and aboveground production were determined in 2017 and 2018.Higher biomass production was observed in the tested grasses in the treatments with zeolite alone (0.229 kg DM m−2) or mixed with the biochars (0.239 kg DM m−2) than in control treatment (0.029 kg DM m−2). Zeolite used in contaminated soil significantly affected root biomass and root morphology parameters. Zeolite application resulted in significantly higher root biomass (2.30 mg cm−3) and root length (76.61 cm cm−3) than those in the treatments without zeolite (0.29 mg cm−3 and 6.90 cm cm−3). Biochar as a soil amendment did not affect most root morphometric parameters. The application of biochars only slightly reduced the root diameter of cocksfoot. The root diameter of tall fescue was similar in all treatments (0.075 mm) except the control (0.063 mm) and biochar 550 treatments (0.067 mm), in which slightly thinner roots were observed.

Nanoporous zeolite and its effect on the immobilization of trace elements in soils from scrap landfills under aided phytostabilization

“…According to Kapetanions and Loizidou (1992), Carling et al (1998), and Radziemska et al (2013), the addition of zeolite to soil showed positive effects on Solanum lycopersicum L., Chrysanthemum L., and Zea mays L. growth. Głąb et al (2021) found that synthetic zeolite, obtained by a hydrothermal method from coal fly ash, was a much more effective soil amendment than two types of biochars in the soil remediation process. Higher yields of the above‐ground biomass of Festuca arundinacea Schreb., and Dactylis glomerata L., were observed when zeolite was applied either alone or in a mixture with biochars and interaction between zeolite and biochars were also excluded.…”

“…Carling et al (1998), andRadziemska et al (2013), the addition of zeolite to soil showed positive effects on Solanum lycopersicum L., Chrysanthemum L., and Zea mays L. growth Głąb et al (2021). found that synthetic zeolite, obtained by a hydrothermal method from coal fly ash, was a much more effective soil amendment than two types of biochars in the soil remediation process.…”

Zeolites and Biochar Modulate Olive Fruit and Oil Polyphenolic Profile

“…In turn, zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of alkali and alkaline earth minerals, and their structure is characterized by a framework of [SiO 4 ] −4 and [AlO 4 ] −5 tetrahedron linked to each other by sharing oxygen atoms, forming a three-dimensional framework [ 20 ]. This structure confers essential properties, such as a large internal porosity that results in water retention, a uniform particle-size distribution that allows them to be easily incorporated and high cation-exchange capacity that retains nutrients [ 21 , 22 ]. Among the natural zeolites, clinoptilolite is the most abundant and commonly used in agricultural practices [ 18 , 21 ].…”

“…One of the main applications in agriculture is their use as an additive to fertilizers, promoting the nutrient-retention capacity of the soils by improving the slower release of these elements for crop uptake [ 18 , 23 ]. Therefore, using zeolites and biochar as soil amendments and slow-release fertilizers is considered a sustainable approach that ameliorates soil physicochemical and biological properties, with a high potential to mitigate climate change [ 22 , 24 ]. However, as far as we know, the effect of biochar and zeolites, used as soil amendments, on olive yield, fruit and oil composition and quality has never been reported.…”

Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils and Plants Cultivated On Contaminated Soil after Application Of Fertilizers With The Addition Of Zeolite Composites Mixed With Leonardite

“…One of the most effective ways to maintain ensure adequate soil functionality and soil fertility, limiting the possibility of uptaken harmful compounds by plants is to provide enough soil organic matter, or soil organic carbon pools, in the soil [2]. It was also reported that the application of zeolite can be an effective soil amendment in the soil remediation process [3].…”