Rice husk and its derived biochar assist phytoremediation of heavy metals and PAHs co-contaminated soils but differently affect bacterial community.

J Hazard Mater

Henan Dabieshan National Observation and Research Field Station of Forest Ecosystem, International Joint Research Laboratory for Global Change Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.

Published: March 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • A 150-day pot experiment evaluated the effectiveness of rice husk and biochar in cleaning soils contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs), using alfalfa as a plant.
  • Rice husk biochar proved to be more effective than rice husk in removing PAHs and immobilizing heavy metals, positively influencing specific bacteria responsible for degrading PAHs.
  • The study suggests that combining rice husk biochar with alfalfa could serve as a promising strategy for remediating soils contaminated by both PAHs and heavy metals.

Article Abstract

In order to evaluate the feasibility of rice husk and rice husk biochar on assisting phytoremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs) co-contaminated soils, a 150-day pot experiment planted with alfalfa was designed. Rice husk and its derived biochar were applied to remediate a PAHs, Zn, and Cr co-contaminated soil. The effects of rice husk and biochar on the removal and bioavailability of PAHs and HMs, PAH-ring hydroxylating dioxygenase gene abundance and bacterial community structure in rhizosphere soils were investigated. Results suggested that rice husk biochar had better performance on the removal of PAHs and immobilization of HMs than those of rice husk in co-contaminated rhizosphere soil. The abundance of PAH-degraders, which increased with the culture time, was positively correlated with PAHs removal. Rice husk biochar decreased the richness and diversity of bacterial community, enhanced the growth of Steroidobacter, Bacillus, and Sphingomonas in rhizosphere soils. However, Steroidobacter, Dongia and Acidibacter were stimulated in rice husk amended soils. According to the correlation analysis, Steroidobacter and Mycobacterium may play an important role in PAHs removal and HMs absorption. The combination of rice husk biochar and alfalfa would be a promising method to remediate PAHs and HMs co-contaminated soil.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133684DOI Listing

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