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Remediation of arsenic-contaminated paddy soil by iron-modified biochar

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Abstract

Arsenic contamination in paddy soils has aroused global concern due to its threats to food security and human health. Biochar modified with different iron materials was prepared for arsenic (As) immobilization in contaminated soils. Soil incubation experiments were carried to investigate the effects of biochar modified with Fe-oxyhydroxy sulfate (Biochar-FeOS), FeCl3 (Biochar-FeCl3), and zero-valent iron (Biochar-Fe) on the pH, NaHCO3-extractable As concentrations, and the As fractions in soils. The scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that iron was successfully loaded onto the surface or embedded into the pores of the biochar. Addition of Biochar-FeOS, Biochar-FeCl3, and Biochar-Fe had no significant effects on the soil pH but significantly decreased the contents of NaHCO3-extractable As in soils by 13.95–30.35%, 10.97–28.39%, and 17.98–35.18%, respectively. Biochar-FeOS, Biochar-FeCl3, and Biochar-Fe treatments decreased the concentrations of non-specifically sorbed and specifically sorbed As fractions in soils, and increased the amorphous and poorly crystalline, hydrated Fe, Al oxide-bound, and residual As fractions. Compared with the other iron-modified biochars, Biochar-FeOS showed the most effective immobilization and has the potential for the remediation of As-contaminated paddy soils.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41771512), the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (No. 28100014), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central South University (No. 2017zzts598) and the open fund for valuable instruments and equipment of Central South University (No. CSUZC201712) is gratefully acknowledged. Chuan Wu acknowledges the Croucher Chinese Visitorships 2017/2018 of Hong Kong.

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  1. School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China

    Chuan Wu, MengQian Cui, ShengGuo Xue, Liu Huang, XingXing Jiang & ZiYan Qian

  2. Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China

    WaiChin Li

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  1. Chuan Wu
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  2. MengQian Cui
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  3. ShengGuo Xue
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  5. Liu Huang
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Correspondence to ShengGuo Xue or WaiChin Li.

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Wu, C., Cui, M., Xue, S. et al. Remediation of arsenic-contaminated paddy soil by iron-modified biochar. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 20792–20801 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2268-8

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