Remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils using phosphate-enriched sewage sludge biochar

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60077344%3A_____%2F25%3A00639488" target="_blank" >RIV/60077344:_____/25:00639488 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/00216208:11690/25:10503990

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7345" target="_blank" >https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7345</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su17167345" target="_blank" >10.3390/su17167345</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils using phosphate-enriched sewage sludge biochar

Original language description

Heavy metals represent long-lasting contaminants that pose significant risks to both human health and ecosystem integrity. Originating from both natural and anthropogenic activities, they bioaccumulate in organisms through the food web, leading to widespread and long-lasting contamination. Industrialization, agriculture, and urbanization have exacerbated soil and water contamination through activities such as mining, industrial production, and wastewater use. In response to this challenge, biochar produced from waste materials such as sewage sludge has emerged as a promising remediation strategy, offering a cost-effective and sustainable means to immobilize heavy metals and reduce their bioavailability in contaminated environments. Here we explore the potential of phosphate-enriched biochar, derived from sewage sludge, to adsorb and stabilize heavy metals in polluted soils. Sewage sludge was pyrolyzed at various temperatures to produce biochar. A soil incubation experiment was conducted by adding phosphate-amended biochar to contaminated soil and maintaining it for one month. Heavy metals were extracted using a CaCl2 extraction method and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results demonstrated that phosphate amendment significantly enhanced the biochar's capacity to immobilize heavy metals. Amending soils with 2.5 wt% phosphate-enriched sewage sludge biochar led to reductions in bioavailable Cd (by 65-82%), Zn (40-75%), and Pb (52-88%) across varying pyrolysis temperatures. Specifically, phosphate-amended biochar reduced the mobility of Cd and Zn more effectively than unamended biochar, with a significant decrease in their concentrations in soil extracts. For Cu and Pb, the effectiveness varied with pyrolysis temperature and phosphate amendment, highlighting the importance of optimization for specific metal contaminants. Biochar generated from elevated pyrolysis temperatures (500 °C) showed an increase in ash content and pH, which improved their ability to retain heavy metals and limit their mobility. These findings suggest that phosphate-amended biochar reduces heavy metal bioavailability, minimizing their entry into the food chain. This supports a sustainable approach for managing hazardous waste and remediating contaminated soils, safeguarding ecosystem health, and mitigating public health risks.

Czech name

—

Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10618 - Ecology

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Sustainability

ISSN

2071-1050

e-ISSN

2071-1050

Volume of the periodical

17

Issue of the periodical within the volume

16

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

21

Pages from-to

7345

UT code for WoS article

001558335200001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105014250718