Effects of biochar and the earthworm Eisenia fetida on the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potentially toxic elements

Gomez-Eyles, Jose L.; Sizmur, Tom; Collins, Christopher D.; Hodson, Mark E.

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2010.09.037

Cited by 260 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Cui et al (2011Cui et al ( , 2012 reported that crops responded to biochar application, and heavy metals contents of harvested plant tissues and grains were significantly reduced. Gomez-Eyles et al (2011) observed significant reductions in available Cd and Cu and increases in pH two months after soils received the biochar treatments. Following amendment at rates of 4% and 8%, the biochar reduced plant-available Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb of the affected soils.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Influence of Biochar on Microbial Activities of Heavy Metals Contaminated Paddy Fields

Cui¹,

Yan²,

Yang³

et al. 2013

BioResources

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dBiochar (BC) amendments might decrease the bioavailability of metals in soils that are contaminated with heavy metals. In general, soil microbial communities are sensitive to changes in soil property changes. Microbial communities were tested in a Cd-and Pb-polluted paddy field in southern China. BC was applied as a basal soil amendment before rice transplantation in 2009. The BC was applied at rates of 0, 10, 20, and 40 tons per hectare. Soil heavy metal fractions with sequential extraction procedure, soil microorganisms, and enzymes were monitored in 2011. The soil pH and soil organic carbon (SOC) were significantly increased by 2% to 5% and 16% to 51% under BC amendment, respectively. Compared to the non-BC treatment, the cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) acid-soluble fraction concentrations were significantly decreased by 15.3% to 26.7% and 18.2% to 30.9%. The Cd and Pb reducible fraction were decreased by 13.5% to 25.6% and 21.9% to 23.53%.The Cd and Pb oxidizable fraction by 15.4% to 69.2% and 22.7% to 29.3% with BC application, respectively. The populations of actinomycetes and fungi were increased by 19.0% to 38.5% and 3.7 to 9.3 times, respectively. Meanwhile, BC significantly increased the cellulose, urine enzyme, neutral phosphatase, and sucrase activities by 117.4% to 178.3%, 31.1% to 37.6%, 29.7% to 193.8%, and 36.5% to 328.6%, respectively. BC amendment offers a basic option to reduce Cd and Pb bioavailability and change the fractions. The BC also increases microorganism quantity and soil enzyme activity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Influence of Biochar on Microbial Activities of Heavy Metals Contaminated Paddy Fields

Cui¹,

Yan²,

Yang³

et al. 2013

BioResources

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“…Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in the biochar at concentrations below environmental concern, but no evidence of oxidative stress, indicating uptake of these potentially toxic compounds, occurred [50]. Gomez-Eyles et al [55] also conducted 28-day and 56-day toxicity studies but the scope of the study was designed to evaluate the deciduous hardwood-derived biochar as a bioremediation tool. The biochar was mixed into a contaminated soil collected from a gas works site at 10%.…”

Section: Synthetic Pyrolysis Charmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review

Weyers

Spokas

2011

Applied and Environmental Soil Science

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Despite the overwhelming importance of earthworm activity in the soil system, there are a limited number of studies that have examined the impact resulting from biochar addition to soil. Biochar is part of the black carbon continuum of chemothermal converted biomass. This review summarizes existing data pertaining to earthworms where biochar and other black carbon substances, including slash-and-burn charcoals and wood ash, have been applied. After analyzing existing studies on black carbon, we identified that these additions have a range from short-term negative impacts to long-term null effects on earthworm population density and total biomass. Documented cases of mortality were found with certain biochar-soil combinations; the cause is not fully understood, but hypothesized to be related to pH, whether the black carbon is premoistened, affects feeding behaviors, or other unknown factors. With wood ashes, negative impacts were overcome with addition of other carbon substrates. Given that field data is limited, soils amended with biochar did not appear to cause significant long-term impacts. However, this may indicate that the magnitude of short-term negative impacts on earthworm populations can be reduced with time.

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“…Controls are required to ensure that biochar applied to soil does not exceed acceptable thresholds for heavy metals and other possible contaminants. Biochar application to contaminated soils can, in fact, reduce the availability of some heavy metals (Namgay et al, 2010;Uchimiya et al, 2012) and PAH (Gomez-Eyles et al, 2011).…”

Section: Biochar Utilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is sustainability certification for biochar the answer to environmental risks?

Cowie

Downie²,

George³

et al. 2012

Pesq. agropec. bras.

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-Biochar has the potential to make a major contribution to the mitigation of climate change, and enhancement of plant production. However, in order for biochar to fulfill this promise, the industry and regulating bodies must take steps to manage potential environmental threats and address negative perceptions. The potential threats to the sustainability of biochar systems, at each stage of the biochar life cycle, were reviewed. We propose that a sustainability framework for biochar could be adapted from existing frameworks developed for bioenergy. Sustainable land use policies, combined with effective regulation of biochar production facilities and incentives for efficient utilization of energy, and improved knowledge of biochar impacts on ecosystem health and productivity could provide a strong framework for the development of a robust sustainable biochar industry. Sustainability certification could be introduced to provide confidence to consumers that sustainable practices have been employed along the production chain, particularly where biochar is traded internationally.Index terms: climate change, life cycle assessment, risk management, sustainable land management.A certificação de sustentabilidade do "biochar" é a resposta para os riscos ambientais?Resumo -O "biochar" tem potencial para dar uma importante contribuição para a mitigação das mudanças climáticas e para o aumento da produção vegetal. No entanto, para que o "biochar" possa atender a esta expectativa, a indústria e os organismos reguladores devem seguir alguns passos para gerenciar as potenciais ameaças ambientais e abordar as percepções negativas. As ameaças potenciais à sustentabilidade dos sistemas de "biochar", para cada estágio de seu ciclo de vida foram revisadas. Nós propomos que a estrutura da sustentabilidade para o "biochar" poderia ser adaptada de estruturas já existentes, desenvolvidas para a bioenergia. Políticas de uso sustentável da terra, combinadas com a regulação efetiva das instalações de produção do "biochar" e incentivos para a utilização eficiente de energia, além do conhecimento aperfeiçoado dos impactos do "biochar" na saúde e na produtividade do ecossistema, poderiam fornecer uma estrutura robusta para o desenvolvimento de uma indústria sustentável de "biochar". A certificação de sustentabilidade poderia ser introduzida, para proporcionar confiança aos consumidores de que práticas sustentáveis foram empregadas ao longo da cadeia de produção, particularmente onde o "biochar" é comercializado internacionalmente.Termos para indexação: mudanças climáticas, avaliação do ciclo de vida, gerenciamento de risco, gerenciamento sustentável da terra.

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Effects of biochar and the earthworm Eisenia fetida on the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potentially toxic elements

Cited by 260 publications

References 37 publications

Influence of Biochar on Microbial Activities of Heavy Metals Contaminated Paddy Fields

Influence of Biochar on Microbial Activities of Heavy Metals Contaminated Paddy Fields

Impact of Biochar on Earthworm Populations: A Review

Is sustainability certification for biochar the answer to environmental risks?

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