Passivation Effect of Corn Vinasse Biochar on Heavy Metal Lead in Paddy Soil of Pb-Zn Mining Area

Abstract

The in-lab incubation experiments were conducted to identify the passivation effect of corn vinasse biochar, which was prepared at different temperatures, on heavy metal Pb in paddy soil of the Pb-Zn mining area. The results showed that after 30 days of biochar amended to the soil, the soil pH and organic carbon content increased by 2.72%-8.47% and 27.79%-65.26%, respectively. The CO32- and OH- contained in corn vinasse biochar could react with Pb and generate carbonate and hydroxide of Pb. In comparison with the treatment control, the bioavailable fractions of Pb were reduced by 26.6%, 23.30%, 26.95%, and 35.33%, respectively, in biochar-amended treatments. Exchangeable fractions of Pb decreased by 21.50%, 21.33%, 22.58%, and 22.58% for the treatment 3% (300°C), 6% (300°C), 3% (600°C), and 6% (300°C) corn vinasse biochar, respectively, compared with the treatment control. As a whole, corn vinasse biochar could effectively promote the transformation of Pb in soil from the exchangeable fractions into the Fe-Mn oxide-bound fractions and residue fractions, with a significant passivation effect for Pb in soil and more effective passivation by high-temperature preparation and increased dosage of biochar.

Keywords

• biochar, heavy metals, contaminated soil, mining areas, morphological distribution