Field verification of low-level biochar applications as effective ameliorants to mitigate cadmium accumulation into Brassica campestris L from polluted soils

Zhang, Youchi, Liu, Shuang, Lin, Shanna, Reid, Brian J., Coulon, Frederic and Cai, Chao (2023) Field verification of low-level biochar applications as effective ameliorants to mitigate cadmium accumulation into Brassica campestris L from polluted soils. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10. ISSN 2296-665X

Preview

PDF (fenvs-10-1114335) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) has been recognized as a significant contributor to the pollution of farmland soils in China, and biochars have been reported to be effective in mitigating soil Cd pollution. However, most studies have been conducted in laboratory or greenhouse settings, not at a field scale, and the biochars used have been applied at unrealistically high amounts (>10 t/ha). Methods: In this research, three biochars: rice straw biochar (RSB), pig manure biochar (PMB) and rice husk biochar (RHB) were produced from readily available farm residues. Then the effects at low-level application (1.8 and 3.6 t/ha) on Cd were investigated in a field experiment cropped with rape (Brassica campestris L.).  Results: Batch adsorption experiments indicated Cd adsorption capacity of three biochars followed the order of RSB (43.5 mg/g) > PMB (33.3 mg/g) > RHB (24.4 mg/g). Field experiment indicated biochar amendments could slightly change soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC); yet led to considerable and significant decreases in extractable Cd concentrations [reductions of: 43%–51% (PMB), 29%–35% (RSB) and 17%–19% (RHB)]. Reduced extractable Cd correlated with lower Cd concentrations in rape plants. PMB and RSB were more effective in decreasing Cd phytoaccumulation into edible parts of rape (>68% reduction) than RHB. Discussion: Low-level application of PMB or RSB could efficiently decrease the phytoaccumulation of Cd from soils into crops. These results demonstrate the reality of biochar-based remediation solutions to contribute to the mitigation of diffuse Cd contamination in farmland. The results also highlight the need to trail biochars in the presence of the soil to be targeted for remediation.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Supplementary material: The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1114335/full#supplementary-material
Uncontrolled Keywords:	biochar,brassica,cadmium,farmland,field application,general environmental science ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300/2300
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Environmental Biology Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Geosciences
Related URLs:	https://www.scopus.com/pages/publication...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	30 Apr 2026 16:07
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2026 16:07
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102856
DOI:	10.3389/fenvs.2022.1114335

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item