改良剂对Cd污染土壤中小白菜品质的影响

通过小白菜盆栽试验,以啤酒污泥、草木灰及其混合物作为土壤改良剂,以生物量、可溶性糖、维生素C和叶绿素含量为指标,研究了改良剂对小白菜品质的影响,并分析了土壤中Cd赋存形态的变化。结果表明,不同改良剂在性质和改良机制上存在差异,因此改良效果各不相同,其中啤酒污泥和草木灰的混合物的改良效果最好,其次是啤酒污泥,最后是草木灰。虽然3种改良剂均能降低小白菜茎叶中Cd含量和土壤中有效态(水溶态和可交换态)Cd含量,提高小白菜品质,但小白菜茎叶中Cd含量仍超过《食品中污染物限量》(GB 2762—2005)规定的蔬菜中Cd限量值。     

底泥生长基质中重金属的迁移特征及生物有效性

河道底泥中重金属含量较高,重金属的迁移性及生物有效性是限制疏浚底泥土地施用或用作废弃场地修复基质资源化利用途径的主要因素。以沈阳细河待疏浚底泥为材料,通过盆栽实验的方法研究了河道底泥与碱性粉煤灰、炉渣和锯木屑配比基质中重金属在紫花苜蓿体内累积、迁移及生物有效性的变化。结果发现,配比底泥基质上紫花苜蓿生物量、株高及株径均好于纯底泥处理,其中底泥、粉煤灰、炉渣、锯木屑以2：0．5：0．5：0．5配比的s2处理中紫花苜蓿生物量是纯底泥处理的11．7倍。与底泥对照相比,配比底泥基质上植株体内重金属含量极显著降低,而且地上部重金属含量显著低于根部含量;底泥基质中紫花苜蓿地上部和根部对Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn的富集系数（BCF）显著低于底泥处理,但转移系数（TF）无显著变化,富集系数（BCF）和转移系数（TF）均小于1．0。紫花苜蓿种植后底泥基质中重金属含量显著低于农用污泥重金属控制标准,除Cd含量略高外,Cu、Pb和Zn含量低于土壤环境质量三级标准。这些结果表明,城市重污染河道底泥经过合理处置后,重金属浓度、活性及生物有效性降低,在其土地施用或废弃地修复中可以用作一些耐性植物的生长基质。     

陕北黄土区土壤石油污染物对玉米生长影响研究

为研究陕北黄土区土壤石油污染物对玉米种子出苗率和幼苗生长的影响,采用盆栽试验的方法,设置土壤不同石油浓度处理组,培养玉米2个月,测定了各处理组玉米的出苗率、株高、茎宽、生物量和叶片叶绿素浓度.结果表明:(1)土壤石油质量浓度即使为30 g/kg时,各处理组出苗率最终均为100％;土壤石油质量浓度达到20 g/kg及以上时,在一定程度上会推迟玉米种子的出苗时间.(2)土壤石油质量浓度达到1 g/kg就会对玉米茎的生长产生抑制作用,可以显著降低玉米株高,但对玉米茎宽影响不显著.随着土壤石油浓度的升高,对玉米株高的抑制作用显著增加.玉米茎宽总体上是随着土壤石油浓度的升高而减小,但土壤石油质量浓度为0～1g/kg或20～30 g/kg时,玉米茎宽没有显著差异.(3)当土壤石油质量浓度达到5 g/kg以上时,植株干质量随石油浓度升高而减少.土壤石油质量浓度达到20 g/kg时,会显著降低玉米根的含水率;达到30 g/kg时,会显著降低茎和叶的含水率.(4)土壤石油质量浓度为1、5 g/kg时,叶绿素a和叶绿素b浓度与土壤石油质量浓度为0 g/kg时没有显著差异;土壤石油质量浓度为10、20、30 g/kg时,叶绿素a和叶绿素b浓度显著低于土壤石油质量浓度为0 g/kg时,并且随土壤石油浓度的升高呈降低趋势.     

Phosphorus and copper leaching from dredged sediment applied on a sandy loam soil: column study

In this paper, downward movement of phosphorus and copper as dredged sediment applied on sandy loam soil was studied by column leaching experiments. Three sediment application rate, (i.e., 1, 2 and 5-cm depth of sediments) were applied to the top of the soil columns. Two and a half months leaching experiments were conducted, which include a 15-day un-watered period. Concentrations of phosphorus and copper in the leachate and the vertical distribution of Olsen-P and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable Cu in the soil columns were determined. The results showed that, un-watered period could increase the downward movements of phosphorus and copper. Sediment application significantly increased Olsen-P concentration in the top 15 cm of the soil columns, but has not significantly affected that in the deeper soil layer. The 1-cm depth sediment treatment did not increase the DTPA extractable Cu concentration in the whole soil column. The 5-cm depth sediment treatment, however, significant increased the DTPA extractable Cu in the deeper soil layers. This study suggested that the application of dredged sediment laden with P and Cu on sandy loam soil might cause the significant downward movement of phosphorus and copper.     

Impact of woodchip biochar amendment on the sorption and dissipation of pesticide acetamiprid in agricultural soils

Pyrolysis of vegetative biomass into biochar and application of the more stable form of carbon to soil have been shown to be effective in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, improving soil fertility, and sequestering soil contaminants. However, there is still lack of information about the impact of biochar amendment in agricultural soils on the sorption and environmental fate of pesticides. In this study, we investigated the sorption and dissipation of a neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid in three typical Chinese agricultural soils, which were amended by a red gum wood (Eucalyptus spp.) derived biochar. Our results showed that the amendment of biochar (0.5% (w/w)) to the soils could significantly increase the sorption of acetamiprid, but the magnitudes of enhancement were varied. Contributions of 0.5% newly-added biochar to the overall sorption of acetamiprid were 52.3%, 27.4% and 11.6% for red soil, paddy soil and black soil, respectively. The dissipation of acetamiprid in soils amended with biochar was retarded compared to that in soils without biochar amendment. Similar to the sorption experiment, in soil with higher content of organic matter, the retardation of biochar on the dissipation of acetamiprid was lower than that with lower content of organic matter. The different effects of biochar in agricultural soils may attribute to the interaction of soil components with biochar, which would block the pore or compete for binding site of biochar. Aging effect of biochar application in agricultural soils and field experiments need to be further investigated.     

Moderate phosphorus application enhances Zn mobility and uptake in hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii

While phytoextraction tools are increasingly applied to remediation of contaminated soils, strategies are needed to optimize plant uptake by improving soil conditions. Mineral nutrition affects plant growth and metal absorption and subsequently the accumulation of heavy metal through hyper-accumulator plants. Microcosm experiments were conducted in greenhouse to examine the effect of different phosphorus (P) sources on zinc (Zn) phytoextraction by Sedum alfredii in aged Zn-contaminated paddy soil. The Zn accumulation, soil pH, microbial biomass and enzyme activity, available Zn changes. and Zn phytoremediation efficiency in soil after plant harvest were determined. Upon addition of P, Zn uptake of S. alfredii significantly increased. Mehlich-3 extractable or the fractions of exchangeable and carbonate-bound soil Zn were significantly increased at higher P applications. Soil pH significantly decreased with increasing P application rates. Soil microbial biomass in the P-treated soils was significantly higher (P?<?0.05) than those in the control. Shoot Zn concentration was positively correlated with Mehlich-3 extractable P (P?<?0.0001) or exchangeable/carbonate-bound Zn (P?<?0.001), but negatively related to soil pH (P?<?0.0001). These results indicate that application of P fertilizers has the potential to enhance Zn mobility and uptake by hyperaccumulating plant S. alfredii, thus increasing phytoremediation efficiency of Zn-contaminated soils.     

Temporal-spatial trends in heavy metal contents in sediment-derived soils along the Sea Scheldt river (Belgium)

The aim of this study was to survey the alluvial plains of the Sea Scheldt river in Belgium for the presence of old sediment-derived soils, and to appraise the heavy metal contamination at these sites. Historically, sediments of periodical dredging operations have been disposed in the alluvial plain without concern for the potential presence of contaminants. Up to 96% of the areas that were affected by sediment disposal (ca. 120 ha) was found to be polluted by at least one of the metals Cd, Cr, Zn or Pb. Concentrations of Cd, Cr and Zn were, in 10% of the cases, higher than 14, 1400 and 2200 mg/kg DM, respectively. Based on the Flemish decree on soil sanitation, Cu and Ni concentrations were of less environmental concern on any site. The pollution in the Sea Scheldt alluvial plain nevertheless is lower than for the Upper Scheldt alluvial plain. The sediment-derived soils in the most upstream part near Ghent were used for disposal of sediments from dredging operations elsewhere. Metal concentrations were explored and both spatial and temporal trend were analysed. The pollution levels encountered warrant caution as most of the soils affected by historical dredged sediment disposal are currently in use for pasture.     

Evaluation and refinement of a continuous seed germination and early seedling growth test for the use in the ecotoxicological assessment of soils.

Four higher plant species (Avena sativa L., oat; Lepidium sativum L., cress; Brassica rapa Metzg., turnip; and Phaseolus vulgaris L., bush bean) and 15 soils including five mineral oil-contaminated soils were tested to assess a soil-based continuous seed germination and early seedling growth bioassay. Seed germination was recorded and the shoot biomass of 14-day seedlings measured. An automatic self-watering system was compared with the daily hand watering. Results obtained from this study show that the self-watering system had minor effects on both seed germination and early seedling growth, and that soil nutrient status rather than soil texture significantly affected both seedling emergence and shoot biomass. Proportional dilution of suspicious samples from primary tests with an appropriate control soil is recommended for secondary tests. Shoot biomass is a more sensitive measurement endpoint than seed germination. Bush bean should not be recommended for use due to its low sensitivity to mineral oil and poor germination in soil.     

Influence of lead acetate on soil microbial biomass and community structure in two different soils with the growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis)

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of different concentrations of lead acetate on soil microbial biomass and community structure during growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) in two different soils. The field soils were used for a small pot, short-term 60-day growth chamber study. The soils were amended with different Pb concentrations, ranging from 0 to 900mgkg(-1) soil. The experimental design was a 2 soilx2 vegetation/non-vegetationx6 treatments (Pb)x3 replicate factorial experiment. At 60 days the study was terminated and soils were analyzed for microbial parameters, namely, microbial biomass, basal respiration and PLFAs. The results indicated that the application of Pb at lower concentrations (100 and 300mgkg(-1)) as lead acetate resulted in a slight increase in soil microbial biomass, whereas Pb concentrations >500mgkg(-1) caused an immediate gradual significant decline in biomass. However, the degree of impact on soil microbial biomass and basal respiration by Pb was related to management (plant vegetation) or the contents of clay and organic matter in soils. The profiles of 21 phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were used to assess whether observed changes in functional microbial parameters were accompanied by changes in the composition of the microbial communities after Pb application at 0, 300 and 900mg Pbkg(-1) soil. The results of principal component analyses (PCA) indicated that there were significant increases in fungi biomarkers of 18:3omega6c, 18:1omega9c and a decrease in cy17:0, which is an indicator of gram-negative bacteria for the high levels of Pb treatments In a word, soil microbial biomass and community structure, therefore, may be sensitive indicators reflecting environmental stress in soil-Pb-plant system. However, further studies will be needed to better understand how these changes in microbial community structure might actually impact soil microbial community function.     

Leaching and uptake of heavy metals by ten different species of plants during an EDTA-assisted phytoextraction process

In a pot experiment, the potential use of 10 plant species, including six dicotyledon species and four monocotyledon species, was investigated for the EDTA-enhanced phytoextraction of Pb from contaminated soil. Mung bean and buckwheat had a higher sensitivity to the EDTA treatment in soils. In the 2.5 and 5.0 mmol kg(-1) EDTA treatments, the Pb concentrations in the shoots of the six dicotyledon species ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 mg kg(-1) of dry matter, which were higher than those of the monocotyledon species. The highest amount of phytoextracted Pb (2.9 mg Pb pot(-1)) was achieved in sunflowers, due to the high concentration of Pb in their shoots and large biomass, followed by corns (1.8 mg Pb pot(-1)) and peas (1.1 mg Pb pot(-1)). The leaching behavior of heavy metals as a result of applying EDTA to the surface of the soil was also investigated using short soil-leaching columns (9.0-cm diameter, 20-cm height) by the percolation of artificial rainfall. About 3.5%, 15.8%, 13.7% and 20.6% of soil Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd, respectively, were leached from the soil columns after the application of 5.0 mmol kg(-1) of EDTA. The growth of sunflowers in the soil columns had little effect on the amount of metals that were leached out. This was probably due to the shallowness of the layer of soil, the short time-span of the uptake of metals by the plant and the plant's simple root systems.     

Copper and Zn uptake by radish and pakchoi as affected by application of livestock and poultry manures

Environmental safety of agricultural utilization of livestock and poultry manures from intensive farming is attracting great attention because the manures often contain high concentrations of heavy metals and organic pollutants. Pot experiments, in which a pig manure (PM), a chicken manure (CM) and a commercial organic manure (OM) with different concentrations of Cu and Zn to simulate soil metal accumulation by manure application for different times were utilized in a garden soil at a rate of 2% (W/W), were conducted to study the effect of application of these livestock and poultry manures on growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) as well as their Cu and Zn uptake. The results exhibit that the manures except the PM improved the growth of radish and pakchoi. The difference of biomass among the same manure treatments containing different concentrations of Cu and Zn, however, was insignificant. In addition, application of the livestock and poultry manures significantly increased soil pHs and electric conductivities (EC) compared with the control, which is ascribed that these manures had high pH and contained large amounts of inorganic ions. The available soil Zn concentrations in the PM were higher than that in the CM and OM, and the extractable soil Cu concentrations in the three manures were almost the same after radish growth in the garden soil but were different after pakchoi growth. Zinc and Cu concentrations in the radish and pakchoi tissues increased when the soil Zn and Cu concentrations increased by manures application, but were still within a safe value. An except is the treatment PM4 in which the Zn concentration of the above-ground part of radish was 28.7 mg kg-1, exceeding the Chinese Food Hygiene Standard of 20 mg kg-1 based on fresh weight. Good correlation was obtained between the extractable soil Zn (or Cu) concentrations extracted by 1.0 mol l-1 NH4NO3 and the Zn (or Cu) concentrations in radish and pakchoi tissues, which was expected to be effective in forecasting Cu and Zn availability to radish and pakchoi in manure agronomic utilization.     

Effect of submergence-emergence sequence and organic matter or aluminosilicate amendment on metal uptake by woody wetland plant species from contaminated sediments

Site-specific hydrological conditions affect the availability of trace metals for vegetation. In a greenhouse experiment, the effect of submersion on the metal uptake by the wetland plant species Salix cinerea and Populus nigra grown on a contaminated dredged sediment-derived soil and on an uncontaminated soil was evaluated. An upland hydrological regime for the polluted sediment caused elevated Cd concentrations in leaves and cuttings for both species. Emergence and soil oxidation after initial submersion of a polluted sediment resulted in comparable foliar Cd and Zn concentrations for S. cinerea as for the constant upland treatment. The foliar Cd and Zn concentrations were clearly higher than for submerged soils after initial upland conditions. These results point at the importance of submergence-emergence sequence for plant metal availability. The addition of foliar-based organic matter or aluminosilicates to the polluted sediment-derived soil in upland conditions did not decrease Cd and Zn uptake by S. cinerea.     

Impact of lime-stabilized biosolid application on Cu,Ni, Pb and Zn mobility in an acidic soil

A soil column leaching study was conducted on an acidic soil in order to assess the impact of lime-stabilized biosolid on the mobility of metallic pollutants (Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). Column leaching experiments were conducted by injecting successively CaCl₂, oxalic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solutions through soil and biosolid-amended soil columns. The comparison of leaching curves showed that the transport of metals is mainly related to the dissolved organic carbon, pH and the nature of extractants. Metal mobility in the soil and biosolid-amended soils is higher with EDTA than with CaCl₂ and oxalic acid extractions, indicating that metals are strongly bound to solid-phase components. The single application of lime-stabilized biosolid at a rate ranging from 15 to 30 t/ha tends to decrease the mobility of metals, while repeated applications (2?×?15 t/ha) increase metal leaching from soil. This result highlights the importance of monitoring the movement and concentrations of metals, especially in acid and sandy soils with shallow and smaller water bodies.     

Assessment of chemical, biochemical and ecotoxicological aspects in a mine soil amended with sludge of either urban or industrial origin

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge (SS), of sugar beet sludge (SBS), or of a combination of both, in the remediation of a highly acidic (pH 3.6) metal-contaminated soil, affected by mining activities. The SS was applied at 100 and 200 Mg ha(-1) (dry weight basis), and the SBS at 7 Mg ha(-1). All pots were sown with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). After 60 d of growth, shoot biomass was quantified and analysed for Cu, Pb and Zn. The pseudo-total and bioavailable contents of Cu, Pb and Zn and the enzymatic activities of beta-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, cellulase, protease and urease were determined in the soil mixtures. Two indirect acute bioassays with leachates from the soil (luminescent inhibition of Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna immobilization) were also used. The SS, in particular when in combination with SBS, corrected soil acidity, while increasing the total organic matter content and the cation exchange capacity. The application of SS led to a decrease in the level of effective bioavailable metals (extracted by 0.01 M CaCl(2), pH 5.7, without buffer), but caused an increase in their potential bioavailability (extracted by a solution of 0.5M NH(4)CH(3)COO, 0.5 M CH(3)COOH and 0.01 M EDTA, pH 4.7). Plant biomass increased more than 10 times in the presence of 100 Mg SS ha(-1), and more than five times with the combined use of 100 Mg SS ha(-1) and SBS, but a considerable phytotoxic effect was observed for the application rate of 200 Mg SS ha(-1). Copper, Pb and Zn concentrations in the shoots of L. multiflorum decreased significantly when using 100 Mg SS ha(-1) or SBS. The activities of beta-glucosidase, urease and protease increased with increasing SS applications rates, but cellulase had a reduced activity when using 200 Mg ha(-1)SS. Both amendments were able to suppress soil toxicity to levels that did not affect D. magna, but increased the soil leachate toxicity towards V. fischeri, especially with the application of 200 Mg SS ha(-1). This study showed that for this type of mine soils, and when using SS of similar composition, the maximum SS application rate should be 100 Mg ha(-1), and that liming the SS amended soil with SBS did not contribute to a further improvement in soil quality.     

A field study on phytoremediation of dredged sediment contaminated by heavy metals and nutrients: the impacts of sediment aeration

Compared to traditional chemical or physical treatments, phytoremediation has proved to be a cost-effective and environmentally sound alternative for remediation of contaminated dredged sediment. A field study was conducted in a sediment disposal site predominantly colonized by Typha angustifolia under different sediment moisture conditions to estimate the phytoremediation effects of dredged sediment. The moisture content was 37.30 % and 48.27 % in aerated and waterlogged sediment, respectively. Total nitrogen (TN) content was higher in the waterlogged sediment than in the aerated sediment. The total Cd contents were lower in aerated sediment, which was mainly resulted from the lower exchangeable fraction of Cd. The bioaccumulation of P, Cu and Pb in T. angustifolia was promoted by waterlogging, and the belowground tissue concentrations and accumulation factors (AFs) of Cu were higher than that of other metals, which can be explained by that Cu is an essential micronutrient for plants. Consistent with many previous studies, T. angustifolia showed higher metal levels in roots than in above-ground tissues at both the sediment conditions. Due to the improved biomass produced in the aerated sediment, the removals of nutrients and the metals by plant harvest were higher from aerated sediment than from waterlogged sediment. It was indicated that maintaining the dredged sediment aerated can avoid release risk and plant uptake of metals, while the opposite management option can promote phytoextraction of these contaminants.     

The role of dissolved organic carbon in the mobility of Cd, Ni and Zn in sewage sludge-amended soils

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of application of naturally derived dissolved organic compounds (DOC) on the uptake of Cd, Ni and Zn by Lolium perenne L. from mixtures of soil and sewage sludge and on their extractability with CaCl2. DOC was applied at concentrations of 0, 285 and 470 mg l(-1) to a loamy sand (LS) and a sandy clay loam (SCL) soil mixed with sewage sludge at rates equivalent to 0, 10 and 50 t ha(-1). DOC applications significantly increased the extractability of metals and also their uptake by ryegrass, but the increase was greater where sludge was applied at 50 t ha(-1). It is suggested that DOC in soils significantly increased the availability of the metals to plants. This was especially the case in the LS soil, where DOC had less competition with surface sorption than in the SCL soil.     

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus caledonium) on the accumulation and metabolism of atrazine in maize (Zea mays L.) and atrazine dissipation in soil

Effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Glomus caledonium) on accumulation and metabolism of atrazine in maize grown in soil contaminated with different concentrations of atrazine were investigated in a series of pot experiments. Roots of mycorrhizal plants accumulated more atrazine than non-mycorrhizal roots. In contrast, atrazine accumulation in shoot decreased in mycorrhizal compared with non-mycorrhizal plants. No atrazine derivatives were detected in the soil, either with or without mycorrhizal colonization. However, atrazine metabolites, deethylatrazine (DEA) and deisopropylatrazine (DIA), were detected in plant roots and the AM colonization enhanced the metabolism. After plant harvest atrazine concentrations decreased markedly in the soils compared to the initial concentrations. The decreases were the most in rhizosphere soil and then near-rhizosphere soil and the least in bulk soil. Mycorrhizal treatment enhanced atrazine dissipation in the near-rhizosphere and bulk soils irrespective of atrazine application rates.     

Potential of Brassic rapa, Cannabis sativa, Helianthus annuus and Zea mays for phytoextraction of heavy metals from calcareous dredged sediment derived soils

Remediation of soil pollution is one of the many current environmental challenges. Anthropogenic activity has resulted in the contamination of extended areas of land, the remediation of which is both invasive and expensive by conventional means. Phytoextraction of heavy metals from contaminated soils has the prospect of being a more economic in situ alternative. In addition, phytoextraction targets ecotoxicologically the most relevant soil fraction of these metals, i.e. the bioavailable fraction. Greenhouse experiments were carried out to evaluate the potential of four high biomass crop species in their potential for phytoextraction of heavy metals, with or without with the use of soil amendments (EDTA or EDDS). A calcareous dredged sediment derived surface soil, with high organic matter and clay content and moderate levels of heavy metal pollution, was used in the experiments. No growth depression was observed in EDTA or EDDS treated pots in comparison to untreated controls. Metal accumulation was considered to be low for phytoextraction purposes, despite the use of chelating agents. The low observed shoot concentrations of heavy metals were attributed to the low phytoavailability of heavy metals in this particular soil substrate. The mobilising effects induced by EDTA in the soil were found to be too long-lived for application as a soil amendment in phytoextraction. Although EDDS was found to be more biodegradable, higher effect half lives were observed than reported in literature or observed in previous experiments. These findings caution against the use of any amendment, biodegradable or otherwise, without proper investigation of its effects and the longevity thereof.     

Fate of nickel in a lime-stabilized biosolid,a calcareous soil and soil–biosolid mixtures

Soil contamination with anthropogenic metals resulting from biosolid application is widespread around the world. To better predict the environmental fate and mobility of contaminants, it is critical to study the capacity of biosolid-amended soils to retain and release metals. In this paper, nickel adsorption onto a calcareous soil, a lime-stabilized biosolid, and soil–biosolid mixtures (30, 75, and 150 t biosolid/ha) was studied in batch experiments. Sorption experiments showed that (1) Ni adsorption was higher onto the biosolid than the calcareous soil, and (2) biosolid acted as an adsorbent in the biosolid–soil mixtures by increasing Ni retention capacity. The sorption tests were complemented with the estimation of Ni adsorption reversibility by successive applications of extraction solutions with water, calcium (100 mg/L), and oxalic acid (equivalent to 100 mg carbon/L). It has been shown that Ni desorption rates in soil and biosolid-amended soils were lower than 30 % whatever the chemical reagent, indicating that Ni was strongly adsorbed on the different systems. This adsorption/desorption hysteresis effect was particularly significant at the highest biosolid concentration (150 t/ha). Finally, an adsorption empirical model was used to estimate the maximum permissible biosolid application rate using French national guideline. It has been shown that desorption effects should be quantitatively considered to estimate relevant biosolid loadings.     

Maize,switchgrass, and ponderosa pine biochar added to soil increased herbicide sorption and decreased herbicide efficacy

Biochar, a by-product of pyrolysis made from a wide array of plant biomass when producing biofuels, is a proposed soil amendment to improve soil health. This study measured herbicide sorption and efficacy when soils were treated with low (1% w/w) or high (10% w/w) amounts of biochar manufactured from different feedstocks [maize (Zea mays) stover, switchgrass (Panicum vigatum), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)], and treated with different post-processing techniques. Twenty-four hour batch equilibration measured sorption of ¹⁴C-labelled atrazine or 2,4-D to two soil types with and without biochar amendments. Herbicide efficacy was measured with and without biochar using speed of seed germination tests of sensitive species. Biochar amended soils sorbed more herbicide than untreated soils, with major differences due to biochar application rate but minor differences due to biochar type or post-process handling technique. Biochar presence increased the speed of seed germination compared with herbicide alone addition. These data indicate that biochar addition to soil can increase herbicide sorption and reduce efficacy. Evaluation for site-specific biochar applications may be warranted to obtain maximal benefits without compromising other agronomic practices.