Erratum to: Effect of Copper (Cu) Induced Toxicity on Growth and Yield of Cichorium intybus L. and its Soil Remediation Potential

Field-scale remediation of cadmium-contaminated farmland soil by Cichorium intybus L.: Planting density, repeated harvests, and safe use of its Cd-enriched biomass for protein feed

Recent advances of carbon-based nano zero valent iron for heavy metals remediation in soil and water: A critical review

Characterization and application potential in soil remediation of two aerobic arsenate-reducing bacteria isolated from arsenic-contaminated soils.

Prediction of blood lead levels in children before and after remediation of soil samples in the upper Meza Valley, Slovenia

Biochar shows great potential in soil remediation. The benefits of biochar on soil depend onits intrinsic properties and soil characteristics. However, the influence of particle sizes of biochar on soil remediation is not clear. In a pot experiment, we evaluated the effects of bamboo biochar (BBC) particle sizes (P1 < 0.15 mm, 0.15 mm < P2 < 0.25 mm, 0.25 mm < P3 < 0.50 mm) on phytoremediation efficiency of Salix psammophila C. cultivated in multi-metal polluted soil. We added the BBC at 3% (w/w) in tested soil. Next, the BBC was thoroughly mixed with soil and weighting to the pot, and S. psammophila cuttings were planted and grown for six months in the amended soil under model growth condition.Results revealed the addition of different sizes of BBC particles affected soil quality, plant growth, and HMs accumulation in plants. All sizes of BBC treatments improved Cd and Zn accumulation, whereas plants in P2 treatment showed the greatest accumulation, increased by 52.41 and 25.55% compared with the control (1,503 and 19,928 μg·plant−1). Overall, the results indicated BBC enhanced the phytoremediation efficiency of S. psammophila. Plants cultivated in P2 treatment showed the most significant effect on remediating contaminated soil.

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are a global problem, representing a threat to ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, and human health. Legislation requires the management and eradication of IAPS populations; yet, management practices are costly, require several interventions, and produce large amounts of waste biomass. However, the biomass of eradicated IAPS can become a resource by being used as feedstock for biochar production and, at the same time, implementing the management of IAPS. Here we carried out an in‐depth characterization of biochar produced at 550°C derived from 10 (five woody and five herbaceous) widespread IAPS in the central‐southern Alps region to determine their potential applications for soil amendment, soil remediation, and carbon storage. Biochar was produced at a laboratory scale, where its physicochemical characteristics, micromorphological features, and lead adsorption from aqueous solutions were measured. To investigate any possible trade‐offs among the potential biochar applications, a principal component analysis was performed. IAPS‐derived biochars exhibited relevant properties in different fields of application, suggesting that IAPS biomass can be exploited in a circular economy framework. We found coordinated variation and trade‐offs from biochars with high stability to biochars with high soil amendment potential (PC1), while the biochar soil remediation potential represents an independent axis of variation (PC2). Specifically, IAPS‐derived biochar had species‐specific characteristics, with differences between the woody and herbaceous IAPS, the latter being more suitable for soil amendment due to their greater pH, macronutrient content, and macropore area. Biochar derived from woody IAPS showed a greater surface area, smaller pores, and had higher lead adsorption potentials from aqueous solutions, hinting at their higher potential for heavy metal pollution remediation. Moreover, biochar derived from woody IAPS had a higher fixed carbon content, indicating higher carbon stability, and suggesting that their biochar is preferable for carbon sequestration in the view of climate change mitigation.

This review primarily focuses on the advancement of biochar research methods and their application in treating soil pollution and agriculture. Biochar, a novel material for soil treatment, shows great potential because of its high specific surface area, abundant functional groups, and well-developed pore structure. This work first introduces the current state and hazards of soil pollution and the limitations of traditional remediation technologies. It then discusses biochar research methods and advancements in biochar preparation techniques. This paper also discussed the application of biochar in the agricultural field. Although biochar has shown many advantages in soil remediation, technical and economic issues in its production remain to be resolved, and long-term environmental impacts and ecological safety need to be further evaluated. Future research should focus on the functional modification and application optimization of biochar to fully realize its potential in soil remediation and sustainable agricultural development.

Effect mechanism of biochar application on soil structure and organic matter in semi-arid areas

Adsorption of Trametes versicolor laccase to soil iron and aluminum minerals: Enzyme activity, kinetics and stability studies

Soil degradation caused by human activities currently remains one of the most important environmental problems. Phytoremediation is a group of technologies for environmental clean-up and soil restoration by plants. The level of soil contamination, the bioavailability of pollutants, as well as the accumulation of metals by the plant are crucial for phytoremediation. Currently, it seems relevant to study representatives of the herbaceous flora typical for the region from the point of view of accumulation of pollutant metals. For the study we selected 5 sites located in different areas of Orenburg city. The plots estimated the content of total and active forms of heavy metals in the soil. On the study sites, samples were taken from plants during the growing season. The study analyzed the biomass of 11 plant species from 5 families and 8 elements. As a result of a comparative analysis obtained, the paper presents calculated correlation coefficients (R) between the indicators of the concentration of heavy metals in the soil and plants from the point of view of the accumulation efficiency of Pb and Cd. Plants-phytoremediators accumulate Pb from inactive soil forms – Cichorium intybus L. (R2=0.72 at P<0.05) and Polygonum aviculare L. (R2=0.57 at P<0.05). Plant accumulating Pb due to the absorption of its active forms – Arctium lappa L. (R2=0.4 at P<0.01). Promising phytoremediators of available forms of Cd – Polygonum aviculare L. (R2=0.65 at P<0.05) and Plantago media L. (R2=0.55 at P<0.05).

Soil contamination by heavy metals and organic pollutants has become a major environmental concern due to industrialization, mining, urbanization, and excessive agrochemical use. These contaminants pose serious risks to human health through the food chain. Conventional soil remediation techniques are often costly and less sustainable, necessitating alternative solutions. Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced through pyrolysis of organic waste under oxygen-limited conditions, has gained attention as a potential soil detoxifier. Its high surface area, porosity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and negative surface charge enable pollutant removal through adsorption, electrostatic interactions, and redox reactions. Additionally, biochar improves soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties. The effectiveness of biochar in soil remediation depends on factors such as feedstock type, pyrolysis temperature, and application methods. However, concerns remain regarding its long-term stability, aging effects, and potential release of toxic compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Further research is needed to evaluate its impact on microbial communities and nutrient dynamics. Future studies should focus on biochar functionalization, nanocomposite synthesis, and microbial inoculant integration to enhance its remediation potential. Despite certain limitations, biochar offers a promising, cost-effective, and sustainable strategy for soil detoxification, requiring further interdisciplinary research and regulatory frameworks.

In order to explore the utilization of Eucalyptus sawdust (C) and develop its remediation potential in cadmium and arsenic contaminated soil, Eucalyptus sawdust were modified by FeCl3 and NaOH coprecipitation (MC). Characterization technology and pot experiment were used to explore the adsorption mechanism of cadmium and arsenic by MC and the effect of soil remediation. The results showed that iron oxide was loaded on the surface of Eucalyptus sawdustand destroyed the semi fiber structure. The adsorption mechanisms of cadmium and arsenic included electrostatic attraction, precipitation, complexation, redox. The soil pH value reduced by 0.12-0.18 units with 0.25%-1% ratio of application rates of MC to soil weight treatment; The contents of available cadmium and arsenic were reduced by 18%-25% and 12%-18%;MC could promote the transformation of Cd and As from highly active formation to low active formation and had a good application prospect for Cd and As compound pollution remediation.

The choice between different options for the remediation of a contaminated site traditionally relies on economical, technical and regulatory criteria without consideration of the environmental impact of the soil remediation process itself. In the present study, the environmental impact assessment of two potential soil remediation techniques (excavation and off-site cleaning and in situ steam extraction) was performed using two life cycle assessment (LCA)-based evaluation tools, namely the REC (risk reduction, environmental merit and cost) method and the ReCiPe method. The comparison and evaluation of the different tools used to estimate the environmental impact of Brownfield remediation was based on a case study which consisted of the remediation of a former oil and fat processing plant. For the environmental impact assessment, both the REC and ReCiPe methods result in a single score for the environmental impact of the soil remediation process and allow the same conclusion to be drawn: excavation and off-site cleaning has a more pronounced environmental impact than in situ soil remediation by means of steam extraction. The ReCiPe method takes into account more impact categories, but is also more complex to work with and needs more input data. Within the routine evaluation of soil remediation alternatives, a detailed LCA evaluation will often be too time consuming and costly and the estimation of the environmental impact with the REC method will in most cases be sufficient. The case study worked out in this paper wants to provide a basis for a more sounded selection of soil remediation technologies based on a more detailed assessment of the secondary impact of soil remediation.

The combined enhancement of RL, nZVI and AQDS on the microbial anaerobic-aerobic degradation of PAHs in soil

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of rice husk (RH), rice straw (RS), and sawdust (SD) at application rates of 0.25% and 0.5% w/w to mitigate nickel (Ni) contamination in soil irrigated with Ni-spiked wastewater (1 ppm and 2 ppm). The study aimed to reduce Ni bioavailability in soil using these amendments while also evaluating their effects on soil nutrients, Ni content, physiology and yield of spinach. The application of 0.5% rice husk significantly enhanced spinach growth and physiological parameters, with total dry matter production of 4.1 t ha−1, and led to higher nickel accumulation in spinach compared to its 0.25% rate. RH (0.5%) incorporation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced Ni concentration in shoot (50 and 47%) and root tissues (50 and 37%) of spinach compared to SD and RS amendments. Soil organic carbon and nitrogen levels significantly increased with the amendments, while DTPA-extractable nickel -Ni was minimized in plots treated with 0.5% RH, indicating effective nickel immobilization. Amendments with RH (0.5%) demonstrated the lowest bioconcentration factor(0.107) and hazard quotient (2.2 × 10−4), underscoring its superior potential for Ni remediation in soil compared to RS and SD. The study demonstrates RH’s effectiveness in mitigating nickel contamination and enhancing soil health and crop productivity.