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Updated: May 22, 2026
10:20
Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Contrasting Cr(VI) and Cd(II) immobilization in contaminated soils by microalgae derived hydrochar
Yuye Wang1, Baiquan Cao1, Lianguo Chen2
1School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430072, China.
Journal of Environmental Management
|May 20, 2026
Summary
Algal hydrochar effectively immobilizes chromium (Cr(VI)) and cadmium (Cd(II)) in contaminated soils. This biochar amendment reduces metal uptake by plants and aids soil microbial recovery, offering a sustainable remediation strategy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Heavy metal contamination (Cr(VI), Cd(II)) in soils presents significant environmental risks.
- Hydrochar is a potential soil amendment for heavy metal immobilization.
- The efficacy of algae-derived hydrochar for immobilizing metals with contrasting properties requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immobilization performance of algae-derived hydrochar (HC) for Cr(VI) and Cd(II) in contaminated soils.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of metal immobilization by HC.
- To assess the impact of HC on metal bioavailability, plant uptake, and soil microbial communities.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of hydrochar from Chlorella sp.
- Application of HC to Cr(VI)- and Cd(II)-contaminated soils.
- Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) tests.
- Aging experiments (dry-wet, freeze-thaw cycles).
- Sequential extraction analysis.
- Plant metal accumulation and translocation studies.
- Soil microbial community analysis.
- Mechanistic investigations (surface complexation, functional groups).
Main Results:
- Algal HC achieved 96.9% immobilization for Cr(VI) and 76.1% for Cd(II).
- Cr(VI) immobilization was rapid and stable; Cd(II) stabilization was less pronounced but stable under aging.
- HC amendment reduced labile fractions of both metals, decreasing plant metal uptake and translocation.
- HC partially mitigated metal-induced soil microbial disturbances, promoting ecosystem resilience.
- Cr(VI) immobilization involved reduction to Cr(III) and surface complexation; Cd(II) immobilization involved electrostatic attraction and coordination with functional groups.
Conclusions:
- Algae-derived hydrochar is effective for immobilizing Cr(VI) and Cd(II) in contaminated soils.
- HC promotes metal transformation to more stable soil fractions, reducing bioavailability and plant uptake.
- The study elucidates metal-specific immobilization mechanisms, highlighting HC's potential for targeted soil remediation.
- HC application supports soil microbial community recovery and enhances ecosystem resilience.
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