Effect of biochar on anion mobilization in soils polluted with heavy metals
Tsetska Simeonova, Irena Atanassova, Maya Benkova, Lyuba Nenova, Milena Harizanova, Milchena Atsenova
Abstract: Soils from three sites located near large metallurgical plants, former Kremikovtsi steel plant, Aurubis - Pirdop copper plant and the Medet open cast copper ore mine in Asarel-Medet were studied. Soils have different physico-chemical characteristics, heavy metal and metalloid contents and land use. The biochar (BC) applied as ameliorant was derived from deciduous vegetation, added in four variants at different rates of 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% w/w. The effect of biochar on the mobilization of anions and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was evaluated in a climatic chamber. It was found that the behavior and interaction mechanisms of the studied anions (nitrate, chloride, sulfate, phosphate, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soil solutions is complex, both due to the specific chemistry of the anions and the soil adsorbent (soil-biochar mixture). There were no clear trends in anionic composition of soil solution between the BC treatments and the control variants at the three sites. However, after a 6-month period there was a decrease in the concentrations of nitrates more pronounced in the neutral to slightly alkaline soils near the Kremikovtsi steel plant. For the acid soils from Aurubis-Pirdop area, DOC exhibited increasing trend in the variants with BC application. The principal component analysis (PCA) for the three types of sites, indicates that BC is mobilised by the biochar itself in the neutral and alkaline soils, while in the acidic soils from Aurubis-Pirdop and Medet sites, DOC is predominantly mobilised by the soil colloids. There were no clearly expressed trends in the contents of the other anions from the BC application among the variants for the different soil types and regions, except for CI- ions, which decreased from BC application in the acidic soils and the SO42- ions, which increased in the acidic soil of the Medet mine.
The results obtained have implication on metal immobilisation in contaminated soils, both from pH increase, especially in the acidic soils, and the increase of DOC, which may form various complexes with metals in solution and on soil surface.
Keywords: anions; biochar; DOC; heavy metal contaminated solis
Citation: Simeonova, Ts., Atanassova, I., Benkova, M., Nenova, L., Harizanova, M. & Atsenova, M. (2025). Effect of biochar on anion mobilization in soils polluted with heavy metals. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(4), 660–672.
| References: (click to open/close) | Ajayi, A. E., Holthusen, D. & Horn, R. (2016). Changes in microstructural behaviour and hydraulic functions of biochar amended soils. Soil and Tillage Research, 155, 166 - 175. doi: 10.1016/j.still.2015.08.007.
Ao, H., Cao, W., Hong, Y., Wu, J. & Wei, L. (2020). Adsorption of sulfate ion from water by zirconium oxide-modified biochar derived from pomelo peel. Science of the Total Environment, 708, 135092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135092.
Atanassova, I., Benkova, M., Nenova, L., Harizanova, M., Ilinkin, V, Kirilov, I., Dimitrov, E. & Simeonova, T. (2023). Geogenic and pedogenic sources of metals inreclaimed Technosols from the area of Asarel-Medet non-ferrous smelter in Bulgaria. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 24(6), 1857 - 1866 (Bg).
Atanassova, I., Nenova, L., Simeonova, T., Benkova, M., Harizanova, M. & Ilinkin, V. (2024). Effect of biochar on heavy metal solubility and speciation in Technogenic soils around Aurubis-Pirdop copper smelter in Bulgaria. Biology, 1 - 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-023-01590-5 (Bg).
Chen, G., Fang, Y., Van Zwieten, L., Xuan, Y., Tavakkoli, E., Wang, X. & Zhang, R. (2021). Priming, stabilization and temperature sensitivity of native SOC is controlled by microbial responses and physicochemical properties of biochar. Soil Biol. Biochem., 154, 108139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108139.
Cheng, H., Hill, P. W., Bastami, M. S. & Jones D. L. (2017). Biochar stimulates the decomposition of simple organic matter and suppresses the decomposition of complex organic matter in a sandy loam soil. Global Change Biol Bioenergy, 9, 1110 - 1121. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12402.
Chintala, R., Mollinedo, J., Schumacher, T. E., Papiernik, S. K., Malo, D. D., Clay, D. E., Kumar, S. & Gulbrandson, D. W. (2013). Nitrate sorption and desorption in biochars from fast pyrolysis. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 179, 250 - 257.
Curtin, D. & Syers, J. K. (1990). Mechanism of sulphate adsorption by two tropical Soils. European Journal of Soil Science, 41(2), 295 - 304. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.1990.tb00064.x.
Dong, X., Singh, B. P., Li, G., Lin, Q. & Zhao, X. (2018). Biochar application constrained native soil organic carbon accumulation from wheat residue inputs in a long-term wheat-maize cropping system. Agr. Ecosyst. Environ., 252, 200 - 207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2017.08.026.
El-Naggar, A., Lee, S. S., Awad, Y. M., Yang, X., Ryu, C., Rizwan, M., Rinklebe, J., Tsang, D. C. W. & Ok, Y. S. (2018). Influence of soil properties and feedstocks on biochar potential for carbon mineralization and improvement of infertile soils. Geoderma, 332, 100 - 108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.06.017.
Feng, Z., Fan, Z., Song, H., Li, K., Lu, H., Liu, Y. & Cheng, F. (2021). Biochar induced changes of soil dissolved organic matter: The release and adsorption of dissolved organic matter by biochar and soil. Science of the Total Environment, 783, 147091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.
Ganev, S. & Arsova, A. (1980). Methods for determination of strongly acidic and weakly acidic cation exchange in the soil. Soil Science and Agrochemistry, 3, 22 - 33 (Bg).
Ghodszad, L., Reyhanitabar, A., Oustan, S. & Alidokht, L. (2022). Phosphorus sorption and desorption characteristics of soils as affected by biochar. Soil and Tillage Research, 216, 105251.
Glaser, B., Lehmann, J. & Zech, W. (2002). Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal – a review. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 35, 219 – 230.
Gronwald, M., Don, A., Tiemeyer, B. & Helfrich, M. (2015). Effects of fresh and aged chars from pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization on nutrient sorption in agricultural soils. SOIL, 1, 475 - 489. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-475-2015, 2015.
He, M., Xiong, X., Wang, L., Hou, D., Bolan, N. S., Ok, Y. Sik., Rinklebe, J. & Tsang, D. C. W. (2021). A critical review on performance indicators for evaluating soil biota and soil health of biochar-amended soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 414, 125378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125378.
He, Z., Wang, C, Cao, H., Liang, J., Pei, S. & Li., Z. (2023). Nitrate Absorption and Desorption by Biochar. Agronomy, 13(9), 2440. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092440.
ISO 11265:2002. Soil quality. Determination of specific electrical conductivity.
Johnson, Dale.W. & Dale, W. Cole (1980). Anion mobility in soils: Relevance to nutrient transport from forest ecosystems. Environment International, 3(1), 79 - 90. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(80)90040-9.
Jòzefaciuk, G., Sokoo̵wska, Z., Hajnos, M. W., Hoffmann, C. & Renger, M. (1996). Large effect of leaching of DOC on water adsorption properties of a sandy soil. Geoderma, 74, 125 - 137.
Kachinski, N. A. (1958). Soil Particles and Micro-aggregates Composition, Methods for Analysis. USSR Academy of Sciences. Moscow (Ru).
Kanthle, A. K., Lenka, N. K., Lenka, S. & Tediar, K. (2016). Biochar Impact on Nitrate Leaching as Influenced by Native Soil Organic Carbon in an Inceptisol of Central India. Soil and Tillage Research, 157, 65 - 72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2015.11.009.
Kathoh, M., Satoshi, M. & Sato, T. (2012). Single step extraction to determine soluble lead levels in soil. International Journal of GEOMATE, 3(2), 375 - 380.
Kononova, M. M. (1966). Soil Organic Matter. Second Ed. Pergammon Press, Inc., Moscow, 544 (Ru).
Lawrinenko, M. & Laird, D. A. (2015). Anion exchange capacity of biochar. Green Chemistry, 17(9), 4628 - 4636. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5gc00828j.
Lehmann, J. & Rondon, M. (2006). Bio-Char Soil Management on Highly Weathered Soils in the Humid Tropics. In: Uphoff, N., Ed., Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 517 - 530. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781420017113.ch36.
Li, Q., Wang, Y., Li, Y., Li, L., Tang, M., Hu, W., Ch., Li. & Ai, S. (2022). Speciation of heavy metals in soils and their immobilization at micro-scale interfaces among diverse soil components. Science of the Total Environment, 825, 153862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153862.
Lin, S., Wang. W., Sardans, J., Lan, X., Fang, Y., Singh, B. P., Xu, X., Wiesmeier, M., Tariq, A., Zeng, F., Alrefaei, A. F. & Peñuelas, J. (2022). Effects of slag and biochar amendments on microorganisms and fractions of soil organic carbon during flooding in a paddy field after two years in southeastern China. Sci Total Environ., 824, 153783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153783.
Liu, C. H., Chu, W., Li, H., Boyd, S., Teppen, B., Mao, J., Lehmann, J. & Zhang, W. (2019). Quantification and characterization of dissolved organic carbon from biochars. Geoderma, 335, 161 - 169.
Liu, H., Zhao, B., Zhang, X., Li, L., Zhao, Y., Li, Y. & Duan, K. (2022). Investigating Biochar-Derived Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) Components Extracted Using a Sequential Extraction Protocol. Materials, 15, 3865. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15113865.
Lu, L., Yu, W. T., Wang, Y. F., Zhang, K., Zhu, X. M., Zhang, Y. C., Wu, Y. J., Ullah, H., Xiao, X. & Chen, B. L. (2020). Application of biochar-based materials in environmental remediation: from multi-level structures to specific devices. Biochar, 2, 1 - 31.
Marsh, K. B., Tillman, R. W. & Syers, J. K. (1987). Charge relationships of sulfate sorption by soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 51(2), 318 - 323.
Nenova, L., Atanassova, I., Stoykova, M., Dimitrov, E., Kirilov, I., Benkova, M., Simeonova, T. & Harizanova, M. (2023). Relationships between Heavy Metal and Metalloid Contents and Major Soil Characteristics in Soils around the Former Kremikovtsi Metallurgical Plant Following Its Closure in 2009. In: Proceedings of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 76(11), 1789 - 1798.
Oliveira, F. R., Patel, A. K., Jaisi, D. P., Adhikari, S., Lu, H. & Kumar. S. K. (2017). Environmental application of biochar: Current status and perspectives. Bioresource Technology, 246, 110 - 122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.08.122.
Ortiz-Bobea, A., Ault, T. R., Carrillo, C. M., Chambers, R .G. & Lobell, D. B. (2021). Anthropogenic climate change has slowed global agricultural productivity growth. Nat. Clim. Chang., 11, 306 - 312.
doi:10.1038/s41558-021-01000-1.
Palmeggiani, G., Lebrun, M., Simiele, M., Bourgerie, S. & Morabito, D. (2021). Effect of Biochar Application Depth on a Former Mine Technosol: Impact on Metal (Loid)s and Alnus Growth. Environments, 8(11), 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments8110120.
Pierzynski, G. M., Mcdowell, R. W. & Sims, J. T. (2005). Chemistry, cycling, and potential moment of inorganic phosphorus in soils. In: Phosphorus: Agriculture and the Environment (JT Sims, AN Sharpley, eds), American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, Inc., Madison, 2005, WI, 53 - 86.
Regulation No. 12 /2002 on the quality of surface water intended for drinking and household purposes. State Gazette No. 63, 28 June 2002 (Bg).
Rombolà, A. G., Torri, C., Vassura, I., Venturini, E., Reggiani, R. & Fabbri, D. (2022). Effect of biochar amendment on organic matter and dissolved organic matter composition of agricultural soils from a two-year field experiment. The Science of the Total Environment, 812, 151422.
Sanford, J. R., Larson, R. A. & Runge, T. (2019). Nitrate sorption to biochar following chemical oxidation. Sci. Total Environ., 669, 938 - 947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.061.
Simeonova, Ts., Benkova, M., Nenova, L. & Atanassova, I. (2019). Physico-chemical, Agrochemical and Eco-chemical Characteristics of Biochar-treated Fluvisol. Ecologia Balkanica, 11(2), 203 - 214 (Bg).
Smebye, A., Alling, V., Vogt, R. D., Gadmar, T. C., Mulder, J., Cornelissen, G. & Hale, S. E. (2016). Biochar amendment to soil changes dissolved organic matter content and composition. Chemosphere, 142, 100 - 105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.04.087.
Sun, Y., Xiong, X., He, M., Xu, Z., Hou, D., Zhang, W., Ok, Y. S., Rinklebe, J., Wang, L. & Tsang, D. C. W. (2021). Roles of biochar-derived dissolved organic matter in soil amendment andenvironmental remediation: A critical review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 424, 130387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.130387.
Tian, B., Song, Y., Wang, R., Wang, Y., Wang, T., Chu, J., Qiao, Z., Li, M., Lu, J. & Tong, Y. (2023). Adsorption of sulfate ions from water by CaCl2-modified biochar derived from kelp, RSC Sustainability, 4(1), 898 - 913.
Zhang, H., Chen, C., Gray, E. M., Boyd, S. E., Yang, H. & Zhang, D. (2016). Roles of biochar in improving phosphorus availability in soils: A phosphate adsorbent and a source of available phosphorus, Geoderma, 276, 1 - 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.04.020.
Zhao, B., Nan, X., Xu, H., Zhang, T. & Ma, F. (2017). Sulfate sorption on rape (Brassica campestris L.) straw biochar, loess soil and a biochar-soil mixture. Journal of Environmental Management, 201, 309-314.
Zhu, X., Chen, B., Zhu, L. & Xing, B. (2017). Effects and mechanisms of biochar-microbe interactions in soil improvement and pollution remediation: a review. Environ Pollut., 227, 98 - 115. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.032.
Zijian, He., Wang, Ch., Cao, H., Liang, J., , Pei, Sh. & Li, Z. (2023). Nitrate Absorption and Desorption by Biochar, Agronomy, 13(9), 2440. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092440. |
|
| Date published: 2025-08-27
Download full text 
