Effect of sludge-based biochar on the stabilization of Cd in soil: experimental and theoretical studies

Soil heavy metal contamination and sludge disposal have become globally environmental issues problems of great concern. Utilizing sludge pyrolysis to produce biochar for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soil is an effective strategy to solve these two environmental problems. In this study, municipal sewage sludge and papermaking sludge were used as feedstock to prepare co-pyrolyzed biochar, which was then applied to reduce the toxicity of Cd in soil. The results indicated that the application of co-pyrolyzed biochar significantly increased soil pH, CEC, and enzyme activity, while decreasing the content of available Cd in the soil. Following the application of 3% co-pyrolyzed biochar, the proportion of acid-soluble Cd in the soil decreased to below 46%, as the biochar facilitated the conversion of leachable acid-soluble Cd to stable oxidizable and residual forms through precipitation and complexation. The DFT computational results indicate that the aromatics in co-pyrolyzed biochar can adsorb Cd ions through cation-π interactions, while carboxyl, hydroxyl, aldehyde, and amide groups can provide more electrons for the adsorption of Cd ions, resulting in stronger adsorption capacities. The study findings provide a feasible solution for the resourceful treatment of sludge and the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil.