The effect of soil moisture regime and biochar application on lead (Pb) stabilization in a contaminated soil

Abstract

Soil application of biochars has been shown to effectively immobilize potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Soil water regime can also affect PTE availability. No previous studies have examined the interactive effect of biochars and soil water regime on Pb availability. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of high and low temperature (300 and 600°C) biochars derived from cow manure (CB), municipal compost (MB) and licorice root pulp (LB) applied at 3 wt%, under two soil moisture regimes (field capacity (FC) and saturation (ST)) on Pb release kinetics and chemical fractions in a Pb-contaminated calcareous soil. Results showed that CB and MB treatments significantly enhanced Pb stabilization compared to LB, attributed to their favorable chemical properties (high P, ash, carbonate, oxidizable C content and high pH) which could promote Pb conversion into stable chemical fractions. Immobilization of Pb was enhanced under saturated conditions compared to FC by the treatments, which is attributed to increased soil pH, reduction of metal oxides and possible formation of sulfides. The most significantly effective treatments were the CB300, CB600 and MB600 treatments under ST, as indicated by significant decrease in soil Pb mobility factor from 29.1% (CL+FC) to 21.2–22.9%, and 11.7–16.3% increase in non-EDTA-extractable Pb. Results of this study demonstrate that combined application of high ash biochars and soil water saturation significantly enhances Pb immobilization in calcareous soil.