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Biochar-Polylactic Acid Composite Accelerated Reductive Dechlorination of Hexachlorobenzene in Paddy Soils under
Cuiying Liu1, Tao Zeng2, Jinjin Zheng3
1Department of Agricultural resources and environment, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China. 002263@nuist.edu.cn.
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|January 4, 2021
Summary
Biochar-polylactic acid composite enhances hexachlorobenzene (HCB) degradation in paddy soils, especially under neutral pH conditions. This soil amendment offers a promising approach for remediating HCB contamination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a persistent organic pollutant found in paddy soils.
- Understanding the factors influencing HCB degradation is crucial for environmental remediation.
- Biochar and its composites are explored as soil amendments for pollutant remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of biochar-polylactic acid (PLA) composite on the reductive dechlorination of HCB in different paddy soil types.
- To evaluate the influence of soil properties, such as pH and iron content, on HCB degradation rates.
Main Methods:
- Anaerobic incubation experiment with four treatments: sterile control, control, biochar, and biochar-PLA.
- Utilized two contrasting paddy soil types: Hydragric Acrisols (Ac) and Gleyi-Stagnic Anthrosols (An).
- Monitored HCB dechlorination rates and soil pH changes throughout the incubation period.
Main Results:
- In Hydragric Acrisols (Ac), biochar promoted HCB degradation, while biochar-PLA initially inhibited it due to low pH, later accelerating degradation as pH neared neutral.
- In Gleyi-Stagnic Anthrosols (An), the degradation order was Biochar-PLA > Biochar > Control > Sterilization control.
- HCB degradation was faster in An than in Ac, attributed to higher iron content and neutral pH in An.
Conclusions:
- Biochar-polylactic acid (PLA) composite effectively promotes the reductive dechlorination of HCB in paddy soils.
- The efficacy of biochar-PLA is significantly influenced by soil pH, showing enhanced performance under nearly neutral conditions.
- Soil properties like iron content and initial pH play a critical role in the HCB degradation process.
