Biochar reduces the mobility of Pb and Cd while decreasing micronutrient availability in soil impacted by metallurgical waste
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v48.i1.77694Palavras-chave:
soil remediation; heavy metals; sequential extraction; trace elements; soil pollution.Resumo
Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) contamination in agricultural and urban soils poses significant environmental and human health risks, especially in areas impacted by metallurgical waste. In this study, the efficacy of four biochars produced from rice straw (RSB), sugarcane bagasse (SBB), sewage sludge (SSB), and filter cake (FCB), in immobilizing Cd and Pb and improving soil chemical properties, was assessed. An incubation experiment was conducted using contaminated soil from Santo Amaro, Brazil, a site historically affected by lead smelting. Biochars were applied at 10% (w/w), and their effects on soil pH, nutrient availability, organic matter (SOM), and metal fractionation were evaluated. Compared with the control treatment, the SBB and FCB treatments significantly reduced the availability of Cd (~30%) and Pb (~20%). These biochars also increased phosphorus (P) availability and increased the SOM content. Sequential extraction indicated a shift of Cd and Pb from labile to more stable forms, particularly the reducible and residual fractions, suggesting improved long-term immobilization. The superior performance of SBB and FCB was attributed to their higher SOM and P contents, as well as functional groups that promote metal complexation. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential of nutrient-rich, waste-derived biochars as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. The results highlight the importance of selecting biochars based on feedstock characteristics and underscore the need for field-based studies to evaluate their long-term stability and the effects on metal uptake by plants.
Downloads
Referências
Adejumo, S. A., Ogundiran, M. B., & Togun, A. O. (2018). Soil amendment with compost and crop growth stages influenced heavy metal uptake and distribution in maize crop grown on lead-acid battery waste contaminated soil. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 6(4), 4809-4819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2018.07.027
Beesley, L., & Marmiroli, M. (2011). The immobilisation and retention of soluble arsenic, cadmium and zinc by biochar. Environmental Pollution, 159(2), 474-480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2010.10.016
Bousdra, T., Papadimou, S. G., & Golia, E. E. (2023). The Use of biochar in the remediation of Pb, Cd, and Cu-contaminated soils. The impact of biochar feedstock and preparation conditions on its remediation capacity. Land, 12(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020383
Cao, Q., Huang, Z., Liu, S., & Wu, Y. (2019). Potential of Punica granatum biochar to adsorb Cu (II) in soil. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46983-2
Cao, X., Ma, L., Gao, B., & Harris, W. (2009). Dairy-manure derived biochar effectively sorbs lead and atrazine. Environmental Science & Technology, 43(9), 3285-3291. https://doi.org/10.1021/es803092k
Chen, Y., Liu, D., Ma, J., Jin, B., Peng, J., & He, X. (2021). Assessing the influence of immobilization remediation of heavy metal contaminated farmland on the physical properties of soil. Science of the Total Environment, 781, 146773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146773
Chew, J., Joseph, S., Chen, G., Zhang, Y., Zhu, L., Liu, M., Taherymoosavi, S., Munroe, P., Mitchell, D. R. G., Pan, G., Li, L., Bian, R., & Fan, X. (2022). Biochar-based fertiliser enhances nutrient uptake and transport in rice seedlings. Science of the Total Environment, 826, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154174
Chirakkara, R. A., & Reddy, K. R. (2015). Biomass and chemical amendments for enhanced phytoremediation of mixed contaminated soils. Ecological Engineering, 85, 265-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.09.029
Chormare, R., Moradeeya, P. G., Sahoo, T. P., Seenuvasan, M., Baskar, G., Saravaia, H. T., & Kumar, M. A. (2023). Conversion of solid wastes and natural biomass for deciphering the valorization of biochar in pollution abatement: A review on the thermo-chemical processes. Chemosphere, 339, 139760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139760
Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente. (2009). Resolução No. 420, de 28 de dezembro de 2009. Dispõe sobre critérios e valores orientadores de qualidade do solo quanto à presença de substâncias químicas e estabelece diretrizes para o gerenciamento ambiental de áreas contaminadas por essas substâncias em decorrência de atividades antrópicas. Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Mudança do Clima. http://www.mma.gov.br/port/conama/legiabre.cfm?codlegi=620
Du, J., Zhang, L., Ali, A., Li, R., Xiao, R., Guo, D., Liu, X., Zhang, Z., Ren, C., & Zhang, Z. (2019). Research on thermal disposal of phytoremediation plant waste: Stability of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) and oxidation resistance of biochars. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 125, 260-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2019.03.035
Gao, R., Hu, H., Fu, Q., Li, Z., Xing, Z., Ali, U., Zhu, J., & Liu, Y. (2020). Remediation of Pb, Cd, and Cu contaminated soil by co-pyrolysis biochar derived from rape straw and orthophosphate: Speciation transformation, risk evaluation and mechanism inquiry. Science of the Total Environment, 730, 139119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139119
Gascó, G., Álvarez, M. L., Paz-Ferreiro, J., & Méndez, A. (2019). Combining phytoextraction by Brassica napus and biochar amendment for the remediation of a mining soil in Riotinto (Spain). Chemosphere, 231, 562-570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.168
Gusiatin, M. Z., & Rouhani, A. (2023). Application of selected methods to modify pyrolyzed biochar for the immobilization of metals in soil: A review. Materials, 16(23), 1-29. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16237342
Haghighizadeh, A., Rajabi, O., Nezarat, A., Hajyani, Z., Haghmohammadi, M., Hedayatikhah, S., Asl, S. D., & Beni, A. A. (2024). Comprehensive analysis of heavy metal soil contamination in mining environments: impacts, monitoring techniques, and remediation strategies. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 17(6), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2024.105777
Hu, Y., Wang, J., Yang, Y., Li, S., Wu, Q., Nepovimova, E., Zhang, X., & Kuca, K. (2024). Revolutionizing soil heavy metal remediation: Cutting-edge innovations in plant disposal technology. Science of the Total Environment, 918, 170577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170577
Jacob, J. N., Okuo, J. M., Archibong, U. D., Imafidon, M. I., Emeribe, O. F., & Anegbe, B. (2022). Comparative studies on the effects of biochar and cow dung amendments on the mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of heavy metals in lead-acid contaminated soil. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 8(2a), 171-186. https://doi.org/10.4314/dujopas.v8i2a.17
Jiang, J., Xu, R.-K., Jiang, T.-Y., & Li, Z. (2012). Immobilization of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by the addition of rice straw derived biochar to a simulated polluted Ultisol. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 229-230, 145-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.05.086
Khan, A. Z., Khan, S., Ayaz, T., Brusseau, M. L., Khan, M. A., Nawab, J., & Muhammad, S. (2020). Popular wood and sugarcane bagasse biochars reduced uptake of chromium and lead by lettuce from mine-contaminated soil. Environmental Pollution, 263(Part A), 114446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114446
Korndörfer, G. H., Pereira, H. S., & Nolla, A. (2004). Análise de silício: solo, planta e fertilizante. ICIAG/UFU.
Lahori, A. H., Zhang, Z., Guo, Z., Mahar, A., Li, R., Awasthi, M. K., Sial, T. A., Kumbhar, F., Wang, P., Shen, F., Zhao, J., & Huang, H. (2017). Potential use of lime combined with additives on (im)mobilization and phytoavailability of heavy metals from Pb/Zn smelter contaminated soils. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 145, 313-323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.07.049
Leng, L., Xiong, Q., Yang, L., Li, H., Zhou, Y., Zhang, W., Jiang, S., Li, H., & Huang, H. (2021). An overview on engineering the surface area and porosity of biochar. Science of the Total Environment, 763, 144204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144204
Li, H., Liu, Y., Chen, Y., Wang, S., Wang, M., Xie, T., & Wang, G. (2016). Biochar amendment immobilizes lead in rice paddy soils and reduces its phytoavailability. Scientific Reports, 6, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep31616
Li, H., & Ji, H. (2017). Chemical speciation, vertical profile and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soils from coal-mine brownfield, Beijing, China. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 183(Part A), 22-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.09.012
Li, Q., Hu, W., Li, L., & Li, Y. (2023). Interactions between organic matter and Fe oxides at soil micro-interfaces: Quantification, associations, and influencing factors. Science of the Total Environment, 855, 158710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158710
Lindsay, W. L., & Norvell, W. A. (1978). Development of a DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese, and copper. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 42(3), 421-428. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200030009x
Lu, K., Yang, X., Shen, J., Robinson, B., Huang, H., Liu, D., Bolan, N., Pei, J., & Wang, H. (2014). Effect of bamboo and rice straw biochars on the bioavailability of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn to Sedum plumbizincicola. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 191, 124-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.04.010
Meng, J., Tao, M., Wang, L., Liu, X., & Xu, J. (2018). Changes in heavy metal bioavailability and speciation from a Pb-Zn mining soil amended with biochars from co-pyrolysis of rice straw and swine manure. Science of The Total Environment, 633, 300-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.199
Nguyen, T.-B., Sherpa, K., Bui, X.-T., Nguyen, V.-T., Vo, T.-D. Ho, H.-T.-T., Chen, C.-W., & Dong, C.-D. (2023). Biochar for soil remediation: A comprehensive review of current research on pollutant removal. Environmental Pollution, 337, 122571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122571
Niemeyer, J. C., Lolata, G. B., Carvalho, G. M., Silva, E. M., Sousa, J. P., & Nogueira, M. A. (2012). Microbial indicators of soil health as tools for ecological risk assessment of a metal contaminated site in Brazil. Applied Soil Ecology, 59, 96-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2012.03.019
Niemeyer, J. C., Moreira-Santos, M., Ribeiro, R., Rutgers, M., Nogueira, M. A., Silva, E. M., & Sousa, J. P. (2015). Ecological risk assessment of a metal-contaminated area in the tropics. Tier II: Detailed assessment. PLoS ONE, 10(11), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0141772
Ning, Y., Zhang, X., Li, B., Wang, Y., & Guo, J. (2019). Distribution of Cd and Cu fractions in chinese soils and their relationships with soil pH: A meta-analysis. Sustainability, 11(2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020337
Premalatha, R. P., Poorna Bindu, J., Nivetha, E., Malarvizhi, P., Manorama, K., Parameswari, E., & Davamani, V. (2023). A review on biochar’s effect on soil properties and crop growth. Frontiers in Energy Research, 11, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1092637
Qiu, M., Liu, L., Ling, Q., Cai, Y., Yu, S., Wang, S., Fu, D., Hu, B., & Wang, X. (2022). Biochar for the removal of contaminants from soil and water: A review. Biochar, 4(19), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-022-00146-1
Rodríguez-Vila, A., Asensio, V., Forján, R., & Covelo, E. F. (2015). Chemical fractionation of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in a mine soil amended with compost and biochar and vegetated with Brassica juncea L. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 158, 74-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2015.07.005
Santos, N. M., Nascimento, C. W. A., & Accioly, A. M. A. (2017). Guideline values and metal contamination in soils of an environmentally impacted bay. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 228(88), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3279-7
Sharma, T., Hakeem, I. G., Gupta, A. B., Joshi, J., Shah, K., Vuppaladadiyam, A. K., & Sharma, A. (2024). Parametric influence of process conditions on thermochemical techniques for biochar production: A state-of-the-art review. Journal of the Energy Institute, 113, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2024.101559
Silva, J. A. G. F., Freitas, A. D. S., Silva, V. S. G., Santos, C. E. R. S., Fernandes Júnior, P. I., Melo, A. F., Souza, P. A. S., Oliveira, A. S., Santos, N. M., & Nascimento, C. W. A. (2024). Assessing the phytoextraction of Cd, Pb, and Zn from a slag-contaminated soil by legume species inoculated with rhizobial strains. Environmental Processes, 11(55). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-024-00732-4
Silva, J. R., Veloso, V. L., Silva, F. B. V., & Nascimento, C. W. A. (2021). Cadmium, silicon and nutrient accumulation by maize plants grown on a contaminated soil amended with a diatomaceous Earth fertilizer. Ciência Rural, 51(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20190804
Silva, W. R., Silva, F. B. V., Araújo, P. R. M., & Nascimento, C. W. A. (2017). Assessing human health risks and strategies for phytoremediation in soils contaminated with As, Cd, Pb, and Zn by slag disposal. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 144, 522-530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.06.068
Singh, B., Camps-Arbestain, M., & Lehmann, J. (2017). Biochar: A guide to analytical methods. Csiro Publishing.
Su, Y., Peng, S., Xu, G., Gao, Q., Chen, J., Lu, X., & Duan, B. (2023). Effect of cornstalk biochar on phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soil by females and males of Populus deltoides (Salicaceae). Physiologia Plantarum, 175(4), 13986. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.13986
Teixeira, P. C., Donagemma, G. K., Fontana, A., & Teixeira, W. G. (2017). Manual de métodos de análise de solo (v. 3). Embrapa. https://ainfo.cnptia.embrapa.br/digital/bitstream/item/181717/1/Manual-de-Metodos-de-Analise-de-Solo-2017.pdf
Tytła, M., Widziewicz, K., & Zielewicz, E. (2016). Heavy metals and its chemical speciation in sewage sludge at different stages of processing. Environmental Technology, 37(7), 899-908. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2015.1090482
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2007). Method 3051A: Microwave assisted acid digestion of sediments, sludges, soils, and oils. USEPA. http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/testmethods/sw846/pdfs/3051a.pdf
Veloso, V. L., Silva, F. B. V., Santos, N. M., & Nascimento, C. W. A. (2022). Phytoattenuation of Cd, Pb, and Zn in a slag-contaminated soil amended with rice straw biochar and grown with energy maize. Environmental Management, 69(1), 196-212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-021-01530-6
Wang, S., Gao, B., Li, Y., Ok, Y. S., Shen, C., & Xue, S. (2017). Biochar provides a safe and value-added solution for hyperaccumulating plant disposal: A case study of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. (Phytolaccaceae). Chemosphere, 178, 59-64, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.02.121
Xu, D., Shen, Z., Dou, C., Dou, Z., Li, Y., Gao, Y. & Sun, Q. (2022). Effects of soil properties on heavy metal bioavailability and accumulation in crop grains under different farmland use patterns. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-13140-1
Xu, Y., Seshadri, B., Sarkar, B., Wang, H., Rumpel, C., Sparks, D., Farrell, M., Hall, T., Yang, X., & Bolan, N. (2018). Biochar modulates heavy metal toxicity and improves microbial carbon use efficiency in soil. Science of the Total Environment, 621, 148-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.214
Ye, Z., Wang, X., Yang, L., Zhang, W., Zhou, J., Qu, Y., & Chang, V. W.-C. (2025). Direct observation of biochar aging: Influence of environmental coverage on surface cracks in long-term aged wildfire charcoal. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 40, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2025.104464
Yin, D., Wang, X., Chen, C., Peng, B., Tan, C., & Li, H. (2016). Varying effect of biochar on Cd, Pb and As mobility in a multi-metal contaminated paddy soil. Chemosphere, 152, 196-206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.01.044
Zdravković, A., Cvetković, V., Šarić, K., Pačevski, A., Rosić, A., & Erić, S. (2020). Waste rocks and medieval slag as sources of environmental pollution in the area of the Pb-Zn Mine Rudnik (Serbia). Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 218, 106629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2020.106629
Zhang, Y., Chen, Z., Xu, W., Liao, Q., Zhang, H., Hao, S., & Chen, S. (2020). Pyrolysis of various phytoremediation residues for biochars: Chemical forms and environmental risk of Cd in biochar. Bioresource Technology, 299, 122581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122581
Zhang, Y., Hou, Y., Fan, J., Lin, S., Reid, B. J., Coulon, F., & Cai, C. (2021). Field verification of low-level biochar applications as effective ameliorants to mitigate cadmium accumulation into Brassica campestris L from polluted farmland soil. Frontiers in Environmental Science. [PREPRINT] https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-487733/v1
Downloads
Publicado
Edição
Seção
Licença
Copyright (c) 2026 Venâncio de Lima Veloso, Fernando Bruno Vieira da Silva , Nielson Machado dos Santos , Diogo Henrique de Sá Veloso Ximenes , William Ramos da Silva, Gabriel Henrique Maximo Clarindo Silva, Caroline Miranda Biondi , Clístenes Williams Araújo do Nascimento (Autor)
Este trabalho está licenciado sob uma licença Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
DECLARAÇÃO DE ORIGINALIDADE E DIREITOS AUTORAIS
Declaro que o presente artigo é original, não tendo sido submetido à publicação em qualquer outro periódico nacional ou internacional, quer seja em parte ou em sua totalidade.
Os direitos autorais pertencem exclusivamente aos autores. Os direitos de licenciamento utilizados pelo periódico é a licença Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0): são permitidos o compartilhamento (cópia e distribuição do material em qualquer meio ou formato) e adaptação (remix, transformação e criação de material a partir do conteúdo assim licenciado para quaisquer fins, inclusive comerciais.
Recomenda-se a leitura desse link para maiores informações sobre o tema: fornecimento de créditos e referências de forma correta, entre outros detalhes cruciais para uso adequado do material licenciado.
Como Citar
