Immobilization of soil Cd (II) by modified biochars

Abstract

Adsorption kinetics and isotherms of Cd2+ onto different types of biochar are studied in batch experiments. Three types of biochar (rice, wheat and corn straw biochar) and their phosphate or chitosan modified materials were used in this study. Results showed that Langmuir equation can better describe the adsorption isotherms of Cd2+ onto these biochars (r2 > 0.960). Among different types of biochars, rice straw biochar (RB) and its chitosan modified biochar (CRB) had highest adsorption capacity of Cd2+. RB, wheat straw biochar (WB) and their modified biochars were used to remediate Cd-contaminated soil. Soil pH values increased with the increasing of biochar dosage and chitosan modified biochar amended soil had the highest soil pH values. Contents of DTPA extractable Cd in soil decreased with the increase of biochar dosage and incubation time. Among different types of biochars, 5% CRB amended soil at 60 days of incubation had the lowest content of DTPA extractable Cd. This study showed that the application of modified biochars can effectively alleviate soil Cd contamination.