Biochar performance for preventing cadmium and arsenic accumulation, and the health risks associated with mustard (Brassica juncea) grown in co-contaminated soils

Yili Zang; Min Wang; M.J.I. Shohag; Lingli Lu; Tieguang He; Changjun Liao; Zengyu Zhang; Jiancheng Chen; Xiaoshuang You; Yihan Zhao; Yanyan Wei; Shengke Tian

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (Sep 2023)

Biochar performance for preventing cadmium and arsenic accumulation, and the health risks associated with mustard (Brassica juncea) grown in co-contaminated soils

Yili Zang,
Min Wang,
M.J.I. Shohag,
Lingli Lu,
Tieguang He,
Changjun Liao,
Zengyu Zhang,
Jiancheng Chen,
Xiaoshuang You,
Yihan Zhao,
Yanyan Wei,
Shengke Tian

Affiliations

Yili Zang: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri–bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro–Environment and Agro–Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Subtropic Soil and Plant Nutrition, College of Environmental & Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Min Wang: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri–bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro–Environment and Agro–Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
M.J.I. Shohag: Department of Agriculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh
Lingli Lu: MOE Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Subtropic Soil and Plant Nutrition, College of Environmental & Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Tieguang He: Agricultural Resources and Environmental Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation, Nanning 530007, Guangxi, China
Changjun Liao: Guangxi Bossco Enviromental Protection Technology Co., Ltd, Nanning 53007, China
Zengyu Zhang: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri–bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro–Environment and Agro–Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Jiancheng Chen: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri–bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro–Environment and Agro–Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Xiaoshuang You: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri–bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro–Environment and Agro–Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Yihan Zhao: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri–bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro–Environment and Agro–Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Yanyan Wei: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agri–bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro–Environment and Agro–Products Safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Correspondence to: College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
Shengke Tian: MOE Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Subtropic Soil and Plant Nutrition, College of Environmental & Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 263
p. 115216

Abstract

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Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in co-contaminated soil can enter the human body harming health via the food chain, such as vegetables. Biochar derived from waste has been used to reduce heavy metal uptake by plant, but long-term effects of biochar under Cd and As co-contaminated soil needs to be investigated. A following mustard (Brassica juncea) was grown on co-contaminated soil amended with different raw materials of biochar including biochars pyrolyzed by lignite coal (LCB), rice straw (RSB), silkworm excrement (SEB), and sugar refinery sludge (SSB). The results showed that compared to the control, Cd and As contents of mustard shoot in SSB treatment decreased by 45–49% and 19–37% in two growing seasons, respectively, which was the most effective among 4 biochars. This probably due to SSB owns more abundant Fe-O functional groups. Biochar also altered the microbial community composition, specifically SSB increased proteobacteria abundance by 50% and 80% in the first and second growing seasons, thereby promoted the simultaneous immobilization of Cd and As in soils which may reduce the potential risks to humans. In summary, considering the long-term effects and security of SSB application on mustard, not only is it an effective waste recycle option, but it should also be promoted as a promising approach for safe vegetable production in Cd and As co-contaminated soils.

Published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

ISSN: 0147-6513 (Print); 1090-2414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering: Environmental pollution; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecotoxicology-and-environmental-safety

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