Xiu-Zhen Hao

Transport of Biochar Particles in Saturated Granular Media: Effects of Pyrolysis Temperature and Particle Size

Land application of biochar is increasingly being considered for potential agronomic and environmental benefits, e.g., enhancing carbon sequestration, nutrient retention, water holding capacity, and crop productivity; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and bioavailability of environmental contaminants. However, little is known about the transport of biochar particles in the aqueous environment, which represents a critical knowledge gap because biochar particles can facilitate the transport of adsorbed contaminants. In this study, column experiments were conducted to investigate biochar particle transport and retention in water-saturated quartz sand. Specific factors considered included biochar feedstocks (wheat straw and pine needle), pyrolysis temperature (350 and 550 °C), and particle size (micrometer-particle (MP) and nanoparticle (NP)). Greater mobility was observed for the biochars of lower pyrolysis temperatures and smaller particle sizes. Extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) calculations that considered measured zeta potentials and Lewis acid-base interactions were used to better understand the influence of pyrolysis temperature on biochars particle transport. Most biochars exhibited attractive acid-base interactions that impeded their transport, whereas the biochar with the greatest mobility had repulsive acid-base interaction. Nonetheless, greater retention of the MPs than that of the NPs was in contrast with the XDLVO predictions. Straining and biochar surface charge heterogeneity were found to enhance the retention of biochar MPs, but played an insignificant role in the biochar NP retention. Experimental breakthrough curves and retention profiles were well-described using a two-site kinetic retention model that accounted for depth-dependent retention at one site. Modeled first-order retention coefficients on both sites 1 and 2 increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature and particle size.

Heavy Metal Transfer from Soil to Vegetable in Southern Jiangsu Province, China

Vegetable fields in peri-urban areas receive large amounts of extraneous heavy metals because of rapid urbanization and industrialization in China. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb in 30 soil samples and 32 vegetable samples, collected from 30 different sites in southern Jiangsu Province of China, were measured and their transfer from soil to vegetable was determined. The results showed that the soil samples had wide ranges of pH (4.25–7.85) and electrical conductivity (EC) (0.24–3.42 dS m −1 ). Among the soil samples, there were four soil samples containing higher Cu and two soil samples containing higher Zn concentrations than those specified in the Chinese Soil Environmental Quality Standard II. However, no vegetable sample was found to contain a high level of Cu or Zn. In contrast, one vegetable sample contained 0.243 mg Pb kg −1 FW, which was above the Chinese Food Hygiene Standard, whereas the corresponding soil Pb concentration was lower than the Chinese Soil Environmental Quality Standard II. The transfer coefficients of Cu of all vegetable samples exceeded the suggested coefficient range, implying that extraneous Cu had high mobility and bioavailability to vegetables. There was no significant correlation between extractable soil heavy metal concentrations with four kinds of extractants and soil pH, EC, heavy metal concentrations in vegetables and soils, except that soil pH correlated well with the extractable soil Cu, Zn, and Pb concentrations with 1.0 mol L −1 NH4NO3. Moreover, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extraction method was a more efficient method of extracting heavy metals from the soils independent of soil pH and EC than other three methods used.

Modeling rhizotoxicity and uptake of Zn and Co singly and in binary mixture in wheat in terms of the cell membrane surface electrical potential

The usually negative, but variable electrical potential (ψ0) at the cell membrane (CM) surface influences the surface activities of free ions and the electrical driving force for the transport of ions across the CM. The rhizotoxic effects and uptake of Zn(2+) and Co(2+) singly and in binary mixture in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) at three pH values (4.5, 5.5, or 6.1) were examined in terms of the free ion activities of Zn(2+), Co(2+), and H(+) at the CM surface (these ions are denoted {M(n+)}(0)). Toxicity and uptake of Zn(2+) or Co(2+) singly to roots were better correlated with {M(2+)}(0) than with their bulk-phase activities. Studies of toxicant interactions using the electrostatic approach and a response-multiplication model for toxicant mixtures indicated that {Co(2+)}(0) significantly enhanced the toxicity of {Zn(2+)}(0), but {Zn(2+)}(0) did not significantly affect the toxicity of {Co(2+)}(0). {H(+)}(0) substantially enhanced the toxicity of both metal ions. Taking ψo into account improved the correspondence (denoted r(2)) between observed and predicted uptake of both Zn(2+) and Co(2+), and each inhibited the uptake of the other. Results showed that r(2) increased from 0.776 to 0.936 for Zn uptake and improved from 0.805 to 0.951 for Co uptake. Thus electrostatic models for metal toxicity and uptake proved superior to models incorporating only bulk-phase activities of ions.

Transport of ARS-labeled hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in saturated granular media is influenced by surface charge variability even in the presence of humic acid

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (nHAP) is increasingly being used to remediate soils and water polluted by metals and radionuclides. The transport and retention of Alizarin red S (ARS)-labeled nHAP were investigated in water-saturated granular media. Experiments were carried out over a range of ionic strength (I(c), 0-50mM NaCl) conditions in the presence of 10 mg L(-1) humic acid. The transport of ARS-nHAP was found to decrease with increasing suspension I(c) in part, because of enhanced aggregation and chemical heterogeneity. The retention profiles (RPs) of ARS-nHAP exhibited hyperexponential shapes (a decreasing rate of retention with increasing transport distance) for all test conditions, suggesting that some of the attachment was occurring under unfavorable conditions. Surface charge heterogeneities on the collector surfaces and especially within the ARS-nHAP population were contributing causes for the hyperexponential RPs. Consideration of the effect(s) of I(c) in the presence of HA is needed to improve the efficacy of nHAP for scavenging metals and actinides in real soils and groundwater environments.

Growth,Cadmium and Zinc Accumulation of Ornamental Sunflower(Helianthus annuus L.)in Contaminated Soil with Different Amendments

Use of ornamental plants for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soil is a new option. A pot experiment was carried out to assess the effect of application of amendments, i.e., swine manure, salicylic acid (SA) and potassium chloride (KCl), on the growth, uptake and translocation of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) of ornamental sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) grown on a contaminated soil. The three amendments increased sunflower height, flower diameter, and biomass. Manure significantly decreased Cd and Zn concentrations in sunflower, and thus decreased the bioaccumulation coefficient (BCF) of Cd and Zn. However, using of KCl markedly increased Cd concentrations in sunflower and the BCF of Cd. Additionally, both swine manure and KCl application increased Cd and Zn translocation from root to aboveground part. Swine manure and salicylic acid reduced the Cd/Zn ratios in flower of sunflower, while KCl significantly increased the Cd/Zn ratios. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the Cd/Zn ratio in the root of sunflower was affected by K/Na ratio in root and soil available potassium (K) concentration. Ornamental sunflower could be grown as an alternative plant in the Cd- and Zn-contaminated soil with KCl application to get the balance between environmental and economic interests.

Accumulation of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in Edible Parts of Four Commonly Grown Crops in Two Contaminated Soils

Soil heavy metal pollution resulting from human activities is causing major concern due to its potential risk. In this study, four crop species with different cultivars were planted in 2 levels (heavily and slightly) of heavy metal contaminated soils, and the accumulation of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the edible parts of the crops were investigated. Metal concentrations in sesame seeds grown in both soils exceeded both the Chinese Food Hygiene Standard (CFHS) and Codex Alimentarius Commission Standard (CACS), while the metal concentrations in all pepper cultivars in the slightly contaminated soil were below the CFHS and CACS. Other crops were generally in between in both soils. Among the tested crops, the order of soil-plant transfer factor (TF) was: sesame > green soybean > cowpea > pepper. Additionally, old fruit of cowpea contained larger amounts of metals than young fruit. It suggests that sesame should not be planted in the metal contaminated area, while pepper cultivar “Chaobianjiao No.1” may be an alternative to be grown in the slightly contaminated soil. There were differences in individual human susceptibilities to metals. Therefore, a comprehensive risk assessment should consider the frequency, amount and species consumed by human besides metal concentrations in crops.

Leaching of copper and zinc in a garden soil receiving poultry and livestock manures from intensive farming

The leaching characteristics of a garden soil may be greatly affected by application of poultry and livestock manures from intensive farming. Packed soil columns of a garden soil (CK) and the soils after respectively receiving 2% pig manure (PM), chicken manure (CM), and commercial organic manure (OM) were leached with 0.05 mol L−1 Ca(NO3)2 and 0.01 mol L−1 EDTA solutions. The leachate EC (electric conductivity) values gradually increased at the beginning and then reached a stable value when the soil columns were leached with 0.05 mol L−1 Ca(NO3)2 solution. The leachate EC values showed a peak-shape when leached with 0.01 mol L−1 EDTA solution. In all the soil columns, the pH values of the leachates decreased with increase of displacement volumes when the Ca(NO3)2 solution was used. The total amounts of Cu and Zn eluted from the four soil columns were significantly correlated with the extracted soil Cu and Zn concentrations by 1.0 mol L−1 NH4NO3, but were not correlated with the leachate dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents. The Zn concentration in the leachate of the PM-treated soil column with 0.05 mol L−1 Ca(NO3)2 solution was above the Quality Standard III for Ground Water of China (GB/T 14848-93, Zn < 1.0 mg L−1). When compared with 0.05 mol L−1 Ca(NO3)2, the EDTA solution significantly accelerated Cu and Zn elutions in the manure-treated columns. This suggested that applying poultry and livestock manures from intensive farming to farmland might pose a threat to the groundwater quality.

Assessment of the Zn-Co mixtures rhizotoxicity under Ca deficiency: using two conventional mixture models based on the cell membrane surface potential.

Toxicity assessment of Zn-Co mixtures involves multiple ions interactions. The negative potential (ψ0) at the cell membrane surface (CMs) concentrated cationic toxicants (denoted {M(2+)}0) and influenced the rhizotoxicity of Co(2+) or Zn(2+). The single and joint rhizotoxicity of Co(2+) and Zn(2+) to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were examined, coupled with different Ca(2+) levels. Joint effects of Zn(2+), Co(2+) and Ca(2+) were estimated by the linearly extended concentration addition (CA) and response addition (RA) models. Incorporation of Ca(2+) in single metal toxicity assessment significantly enhanced the prediction accuracy (r(2) increased from 0.948 to 0.550 for Zn(2+) and from 0.903 to 0.611 for Co(2+), respectively). ψ0 affected the multiple metals toxicity in both conventional mixture models (r(2)=0.814 for CA model and 0.820 for RA model). Concretely, {Zn(2+)}0 alleviated the toxicity of {Co(2+)}0, while {Co(2+)}0 had non-significant effect on {Zn(2+)}0 toxicity. Growth responses to {Ca(2+)}0 were substantially affected by {Zn(2+)}0 and {Co(2+)}0. Ca addition in medium decreased the {M(2+)}0 by reducing the ψ0 negativity, moreover this addition alleviated Ca deficiency at CMs induced by Zn(2+) (or Co(2+)). These consistent results from both extended CA and RA models indicated that ψ0 provided a novel sight for understanding the rhizotoxicity of multiple metals.

Dynamic chemical characteristics of soil solution after pig manure application: A column study

When manures from intensive livestock operations are applied to agricultural or vegetable fields at a high rate, large amounts of salts and metals will be introduced into soils. Using a column leaching experiment, this study assessed the leaching potential of the downward movement of Cu and Zn as well as some salt ions after an intensive farm pig manure at rates of 0%, 5% and 10% (w/w) were applied to the top 20 cm of two different textured soils (G soil -sandy loam soil; H soil-silty clay loam soil), and investigated the growth of amaranth and Cu and Zn transfer from soil to amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor). Soil solutions were obtained at 20, 40 and 60 cm depth of the packed column and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved organic matter (DOC) and Cu and Zn concentrations. The results indicated that application of pig manure containing Cu and Zn to sandy loam soil might cause higher leaching and uptake risk than silty clay loam soil, especially at high application rates. And manure amendment at 5% and 10% significantly decreased the biomass of amaranth, in which the salt impact rather than Cu and Zn toxicity from manures played more important role in amaranth growth. Thus the farmer should avoid application the high rate of pig manure containing metal and salt to soil at a time, especially in sandy soil.

The growth and Cu and Zn uptake of pakchois (Brassica chinesis L.) in an acidic soil as affected by chicken or pig manure

In a pot experiment, pig manure (PM) and chicken manure (CM) were applied to an acidic soil at application rates of 2%, 4% and 8% (W/W) to evaluate their effects on the growth, Cu and Zn uptake and transfer of five cultivars of pakchoi (Brassica chinesis L.). The results showed that alkaline manures significantly increased the biomass of pakchois, and also pH and electrical conductivity of the soil. Both 0.01 M CaCl2 and 1.0 M NH4NO3 salt solutions predict the Zn transfer from soil to pakchois well, but not for Cu. For the cultivar Siyueman, the transfer factors of Cu (or Zn) in the PM treatments were higher than that in the CM treatments. In our experiment the Cu and Zn concentrations in pakchois did not exceed the Chinese Food Hygiene Standard, but more attention should be paid to heavy metals risk on pakchois at lower soil pH and salt impairment by manures application.