Effects of biochar on the migration and transformation of metal species in a highly acid soil contaminated with multiple metals and leached with solutions of different pH.

Abstract

A number of recent studies have been conducted on soil metal immobilization by biochars but there is little information on the migration and transformation of metal species in soils contaminated with multiple metals as affected by biochar and acid rain. Here, a column study investigated the effects of biochar derived from maize straw pyrolyzed at 600\xa0°C on metal (Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd) mobility in a highly acid soil during leaching with simulated acid rain. All four metals examined were released at early stages of the leaching process and the percentages of the metals leached followed the sequence Zn\xa0>\xa0Cd\xa0>\xa0Cu\xa0>\xa0Pb. Acid rain with high acidity resulted in larger amounts of metals leached, particularly at the later stages of leaching. This enhancement of leaching by highly acidic leaching solutions was eliminated by amendment with biochar. However, the effects of biochar on metal mobility depended on metal species, with significant immobilization of soil Cu, Zn and Pb (>90%, 26% and 72%, respectively) but with no effect on soil Cd. Overall, simulated acid rain enhanced soil metal mobility and biochar reduced soil metal mobility and also alleviated the effects of acid rain. More emphasis is needed on metal speciation in the use of biochars for soil metal immobilization in areas with acid rain. The use of biochars in phytoremediation may decrease the toxicity of soil metals to the hyperaccumulator plant.