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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Journal of Hazardous...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: Elsevier TDM
Data sources: Crossref
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Sustainable soil remediation using nano-biochar for improved food safety and resource recovery

Authors: Raczkiewicz, Monika Stefania; Oleszczuk, Patryk; Akachukwu, Doris;

Sustainable soil remediation using nano-biochar for improved food safety and resource recovery

Abstract

The contamination of agricultural soils with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses serious environmental and health risks due to their persistence and adverse effects on crop productivity. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of nano-biochar (n-BC) to immobilize PTEs in contaminated soil and its effect on PTEs bioaccumulation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), with the hypothesis that n-BC—due to their unique and improved physicochemical properties—are more effective than bulk forms in reducing PTEs mobility and bioavailability. Biochars (BCs) were obtained from palm bunch (PB), rice husk (RH) and sewage sludge (SSL) at 550°C and subsequently processed into nanoscale forms. A six-week pot experiment demonstrated that n-BC amendments significantly reduced the bioavailable (extracted with H2O and CaCl2) fractions of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Pb in soil, with higher immobilization efficiencies by 4.2 % to even 305 % than corresponding bulk biochars (b-BC). According to NICA-Donnan modelling, the main immobilization mechanisms were precipitation and ion exchange. Application of n-BC also resulted in a notable decrease in PTEs concentrations in lettuce leaves (ranging from 29.7 % to 100 %), thereby reducing both the bioaccumulation factor and health risk index. Among the different BCs, SSL-derived n-BC demonstrated the highest immobilization capacity and the most substantial reduction in PTEs uptake by plants. These findings highlight the potential of n-BC as a highly effective and low-cost amendment for rapid mitigation PTEs contamination in agricultural soils, enhancing food safety, and supporting circular economy principles by utilizing organic waste materials.

Keywords

Soil, Food Safety, Heavy metal, Waste-derived biochar, Charcoal, Metals, Heavy, nano-biochar, Soil Pollutants, Environmental Restoration and Remediation, Lactuca

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
10
Top 10%
Average
Top 10%
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