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Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites
Published on: November 28, 2014
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Modulation of trace element bioavailability for two earthworm species after biochar amendment into a contaminated
Lilian Marchand1, Sophie Brunel-Muguet2, Isabelle Lamy3
1BIOGECO, INRA, Univ. Bordeaux, Pessac, 33615, France. marchand.lilian@gmail.com.
Ecotoxicology (London, England)
|October 13, 2017
Summary
Poultry manure biochar increased trace element (TE) concentrations in soil pore water but did not affect overall TE bioavailability for earthworms. However, biochar impacted earthworm health and TE accumulation differently between species, indicating complex interactions in contaminated soils.
Area of Science:
- Soil science
- Environmental toxicology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Biochar amendments are used to enhance soil quality.
- Their effects on soil organisms, particularly earthworms, are not fully understood.
- Contaminated soils pose risks to edaphic organisms and ecosystem health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of poultry manure-derived biochar on trace element (TE) bioavailability in a contaminated technosol.
- To investigate the effects of biochar on two earthworm species, Aporrectodea icterica and Aporrectodea longa.
- To evaluate the environmental and toxicological bioavailability of TEs (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) for earthworms.
Main Methods:
- A pot experiment was conducted using a contaminated technosol amended with poultry manure biochar.
- Trace element concentrations were measured in soil, soil pore water, and earthworm tissues.
- Earthworm ecophysiological and biochemical parameters, including body weight and Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Biochar addition significantly increased TE concentrations in soil pore water.
- TE environmental bioavailability for earthworms was generally not influenced by biochar, except for a decrease in arsenic (As) in A. icterica.
- Earthworm body weight decreased in biochar-amended soil, and GST activity decreased in A. icterica, suggesting species-specific responses and potential toxicological effects.
Conclusions:
- Biochar application alters TE mobility in soil but has complex effects on earthworm TE bioavailability and health.
- Inter-specific variability in TE homeostasis, particularly for As, exists within the Aporrectodea genus.
- Earthworm species, TE type, and biochar addition collectively influence TE environmental and toxicological bioavailability in contaminated technosols.
