Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have transformed the global geochemical cycling of heavy metals (HMs). Many physical, chemical and biological methods are used to reduce the toxicity of HMs to humans, plants and environment. This study aimed to investigate the immobilization and phytotoxicity reduction of HMs after application of bamboo biochar (BB) in mine-polluted soil in Feng county (FC) and Tongguan (TG). The results showed that BB application to contaminated soil immobilized HMs (Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu). The soil pH and EC increased and the bioavailability of HMs decreased in FC and TG, whereas Pb and Cu increased in TG soil. The addition of BB reduced HMs uptake in the shoot/root of Brassica juncea. Physiological responses showed that BB application improved the shoot/root growth, dry biomass, and enhanced the chlorophyll (a and b) and carotenoid concentrations in Brassica. The incorporation of BB improved the soil health and accelerated enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase and urease) in HMs polluted soils. Antioxidant activities (POD, PPO, CAT and SOD) were also used as biomarkers to determine the negative effects of HMs on the growth of Brassica. Overall, the immobilization potential and phytotoxicity reduction of HMs were confirmed by BCF, TF and MEA for both soils.
Highlights
The rapidly growing population, industrial progress and technical innovations have increased the concentration of heavy metals (HMs) around the globe[1]
The highest mean values of soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were reported in T5 (5% bamboo biochar (BB)) pots, compared to their respective controls in both the Feng county (FC) and TG soils
The soil pH increased by an average of 0.24 and 0.18 units, whereas EC increased by 36 and 56.6 units at a 5% BB application to smelter (FC) and mines (TG) polluted soils, respectively
Summary
The rapidly growing population, industrial progress and technical innovations have increased the concentration of heavy metals (HMs) around the globe[1]. The effects of HMs on plant and human health have been widely studied[6,7,8]. Numerous amendments are used to immobilize HMs and reduce their bioavailability to facilitate the establishment of plants in HMs-polluted soil They include, CaO, phosphate fertilizers, fly ash, medical stone, organic waste (compost, crop residues and bio-solid compost), zeolite and biochar[12,13,14]. Among these practices, biochar is widely used for HMs immobilization in polluted soil[15]. The effect of BB was compared in terms of phytoextraction indices
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