Managing Arsenic Pollution from Soil-Plant Systems: Insights into the Role of Biochar

Soil contamination with arsenic (As) is becoming a serious concern for living organisms. Arsenic is a nonessential metalloid for plants, humans, and other living organisms. Biochar (BC) is a very effective amendment to remediate polluted soils and it received great attention owing to its appreciable results. Arsenic toxicity negatively affects plant morph-physiological and biochemical functioning and upsurges the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which negatively affect cellular structures. Arsenic toxicity also reduces seed germination and impedes plant growth by decreasing nutrient uptake, causing oxidative damage and disrupting the photosynthetic efficiency. Plants use different strategies like antioxidant defense and increased osmolyte synthesis to counteract As toxicity; nevertheless, this is not enough to counter the toxic impacts of As. Thus, applying BC has shown tremendous potential to counteract the As toxicity. Biochar application to As-polluted soils improves water uptake, maintains membrane stability and nutrient homeostasis, and increases osmolyte synthesis, gene expression, and antioxidant activities, leading to better plant performance. Additionally, BC modulates soil pH, increases nutrient availability, causes As immobilization, decreases its uptake and accumulation in plant tissues, and ensures safer production. The present review describes the sources, toxic impacts of As, and ways to lower As in the environment to decrease its toxic impacts on humans, the ecosystem, and the food chain. It concentrates on different mechanisms mediated by BC to alleviate As toxicity and remediate As-polluted soils and different research gaps that must be fulfilled in the future. Therefore, the current review will help to develop innovative strategies to minimize As uptake and accumulation and remediate As-polluted soils to reduce their impacts on humans and the environment.