ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Remediation of Cd-, Pb- and Cu-Contaminated
Agricultural Soils by Phosphate Fertilization
and Applying Biochar
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1
PowerChina Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, Chengdu, P.R. China
2
Sichuan Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chengdu, P.R. China
Submission date: 2018-03-21
Final revision date: 2018-06-19
Acceptance date: 2018-06-22
Online publication date: 2019-03-05
Publication date: 2019-04-09
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(4):2697-2705
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ABSTRACT
In this study, biochar (BC), triple superphosphate (TSP), and TSP+BC amendments were utilized for
remediation of Cd, Pb, and Cu co-contaminated agricultural soils. The toxicity characteristic leaching
procedure (TCLP), the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR), X-ray diffraction, and
scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer techniques were employed to evaluate the
effectiveness of the three types of amendments. After soil amendment, pH, heavy metal concentrations
in TCLP extracts, and BCR speciation of heavy metals showed significant changes. The application
of BC, TSP, and TSP+BC to co-contaminated soils slightly increased soil pH; decreased Pb, and Cu
leachability in the TCLP extracts; and lowered the concentrations of the acid-soluble fraction of heavy
metals. The application of TSP+BC mixture at the same dose as BC and TSP produced the greatest
reduction in available heavy metal concentration. The optimum mass ratio of TSP to BC was 1:3.
Overall, the TSP+BC mixture was highly effective in immobilizing Cd, Pb, and Cu in co-contaminated
agricultural soils. The experimental results demonstrate that the rational application of the TSP and BC
provides benefits of retrenching phosphorus resources, decreasing phosphorus pollution, and lowering
the feed costs of debasing soil remediation treatments.