Residual effects of tobacco biochar along with different fixing agents on stabilization of trace elements in multi-metal contaminated soils

The residual effect of tobacco biochar(TB≥500°C)mono and co-application with Cahydroxide(CH),Ca-bentonite(CB)and natural zeolite(NZ)on the bio-availability of trace elements TE(s)in alkaline soils has not been deeply studied yet.A pot study that had earlier been investigated TB mono and blended with CH,CB and NZ on the immobilization of Pb,Cu Cd,and Zn by Chinese cabbage.Maize crop in the rotation was selected as test plant to assess the residual impact of amendments on stabilization of Pb,Cu Cd,and Zn in mine polluted(M-P),smelter heavily and low polluted(S-HP and S-LP,respectively)soils.The obtained results showed that stabilization of Pb,Cd,Cu and Zn reached 63.84% with TB+CB,61.19% with TB+CH,83.31% with TB+CH and 35.27% with TB+CH for M-P soil,36.46% with TB+NZ,38.46% with TB+NZ,19.40% with TB+CH and 62.43% with TB+CH for S-LP soil,52.94%TB+NZ,57.65% with TB+NZ,52.94% with TB+NZ,and 28.44% with TB+CH for S-LP soil.Conversely,TB+CH and TB alone had mobilized Pb and Zn up to19.29% and 34.96% in M-P soil.The mobility of Zn reached 8.38% with TB+CB and 66.03% with TB for S-HP and S-LP soils.The uptake and accumulation of Pb,Cd,Cu and Zn in shoot and root were reduced in three polluted soils.Overall,the combination of TB along with CH,CB and NZ has been proven to be effective in Pb,Cd,Cu and Zn polluted mine/smelter soils restoration.

Soil micromorphological and physical properties after application of composts with polyethylene and biocomponent-derived polymers added during composting

Composts are considered to be one of the best soil amendments. However, the effects of composts with added polymeric materials on soil physical,hydraulic, and micromorphological properties have not been widely discussed. Changes in soil physical properties influence the numerous services that soils provide. We studied the impacts of composts with the addition of three different polymers(F1–F3) produced from polyethylene and thermoplastic corn starch on the physical, hydraulic, and micromorphological properties of two soils, a Cambic Phaeozem and a Luvic Phaeozem. Applying composts with polymers had limited or no significant effect on soil bulk density and porosity, but increased the field water capacity by 18%–82% and 3%–6% and the plant-available water content by 15%–23% and 4%–17% for the Cambic Phaeozem and Luvic Phaeozem, respectively. The application of composts with polymers had a greater effect on the Cambic Phaeozem than on the Luvic Phaeozem. It was suggested that the use of modified composts led to changes in soil physical properties and micromorphological features and this effect was dependent on the compost application rate. Composts made with the addition of composite synthetic and natural material-derived polymers during composting were found to be a composite mixture that can be successfully used in agriculture.