Effects of Bentonite on Chemical Forms and Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in Different Types of Farmland Soils

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of bentonite on the physicochemical properties of soil; chemical forms of Cd, As, V, and Cr; pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) growth; metal uptake; and rhizosphere microbial community in three different types of farmland soils. The results showed that bentonite decreased the exchangeable Cd in the sequence of Yellow earths (Gy, 19.44%) > Yellow-cinnamon soils (Sy, 13.85%) > Fluvo-aquic soils (Bf, 5.03%), and the content of Cd in shoots of pakchoi declined in the sequence of Gy (34.81%) > Bf (23.91%) > Sy (11.11%), compared with the controls. Compared with the controls, the exchangeable As in Bf and Sy decreased by 4.53% and 25.16%, respectively, while the exchangeable As in Gy increased by 0.57%. The exchangeable Cr was increased in the sequence of Sy (31.30%) > Gy (2.91%) > Bf (0.58%). The residual As, V, and Cr increased (except for Cr in Sy), and their uptake was also reduced in different degrees. The addition of bentonite significantly promoted the growth of pakchoi in the three soil types, especially in Bf. pakchoi biomass, root surface area, and number of root tips increased by 147.55%, 80.71%, and 124.31%, respectively, in Bf, compared with the control. In addition, bentonite reduced the content of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter; increased the content of available potassium; and increased the diversity of rhizosphere microbial community in all three soils. Therefore, bentonite could be highly recommended as a safe stabilizer in these three types of soil.