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Biochar applications enhance the phytoextraction potential of Salix smithiana [Willd.] (willow) in heavily contaminated soil: potential for a sustainable remediation method?

  • Soils, Sec 5 • Soil and Landscape Ecology • Research Article
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

The combination of chemostabilization and phytoextraction provide an affordable and environmentally effective remediation technology for the heavy metals in contaminated soils. The purpose of this study was to investigate how biochar applications in heavily contaminated alluvium soils reduced the toxic effects of heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Zn) and their transport through the soil profile.

Materials and methods

The 3-year experiment was conducted under controlled conditions in greenhouse. Extremely contaminated soil required high doses (5, 10, and 15% w/w) of biochar. Biochar was prepared from wood by high-temperature pyrolysis (800 °C). Salix smithiana Willd. was chosen as a model plant. Leachate describing the mobility of metals was collected five times during each vegetative period. Leachate was collected.

Results and discussion

Biochar application enhanced the phytoextraction potential of willow plants in the first and second year of a pot experiment. High biochar applications (5, 10, and 15% w/w) reduced the phytotoxicity of metals in soil solution, improved biomass growth in Salix smithiana, and enhanced heavy metal uptake by plants in the amendment treatments. In the 3rd year, the pH of both the soil and leachate decreased by 1 unit. The decrease of pH led to the increase of Cd and Zn in the leachate and/or limited the growth of plants.

Conclusions

Biochar seems to be an effective tool for heavy metal immobilization; however, further research is necessary to evaluate the mechanisms of biochar behavior and subsequent utilization for remediation of extremely contaminated alluvial soils.

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Funding

The study was financially supported by GACR (Czech Science Foundation) 19-02836S and by the European Regional Development Fund (project NUTRISK no. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000845).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 16000, Prague 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic

    Kateřina Pračke, Jiřina Száková & Pavel Tlustoš

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  1. Kateřina Pračke
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  2. Jiřina Száková
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  3. Pavel Tlustoš
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Contributions

All authors contributed their work to the creation of the manuscript. Experiment design and work schedule were performed by Pavel Tlustoš and Jiřina Száková. Material preparation and data collection and data analysis were performed by Kateřina Pračke and Jiřina Száková. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Kateřina Pračke and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Pavel Tlustoš.

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Pračke, K., Száková, J. & Tlustoš, P. Biochar applications enhance the phytoextraction potential of Salix smithiana [Willd.] (willow) in heavily contaminated soil: potential for a sustainable remediation method?. J Soils Sediments 22, 905–915 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-021-03104-9

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