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Updated: Aug 19, 2025
Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites
Published on: November 28, 2014
Multiple-functionalized biochar affects rice yield and quality via regulating arsenic and lead redistribution and
Xing Yang1, Zhinan Dai2, Chengjun Ge3
1Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Renmin Road, Haikou 570228, China; Biochar Engineering Technology Research Center of Guangdong Province, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong 528000, China; University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water, and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil, and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany.
Abstract:
Rice grown in soils contaminated with arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) can cause lower rice yield and quality due to the toxic stress. Herein, we examined the role of functionalized biochars (raw phosphorus (P)-rich (PBC) and iron (Fe)-modified P-rich (FePBC)) coupled with different irrigation regimes (continuously flooded (CF) and intermittently flooded (IF)) in affecting rice yield and accumulation of As and Pb in rice grain. Results showed that FePBC increased the rice yield under both CF (47.4%) and IF (19.6%) conditions, compared to the controls. Grain As concentration was higher under CF (1.94-2.42 mg kg-1) than IF conditions (1.56-2.31 mg kg-1), whereas the concentration of grain Pb was higher under IF (0.10-0.76 mg kg-1) than CF (0.12-0.48 mg kg-1) conditions. Application of PBC reduced grain Pb by 60.1% under CF conditions, while FePBC reduced grain As by 12.2% under IF conditions, and increased grain Pb by 2.9 and 6.6 times under CF and IF conditions, respectively, compared to the controls. Therefore, application of the multiple-functionalized biochar can be a promising strategy for increasing rice yield and reducing the accumulation of As in rice grain, particularly under IF conditions, whereas it is inapplicable for remediation of paddy soils contaminated with Pb.
