In situ stabilization of Cd, Pb, and Zn in an Austrian agricultural soil contaminated by atmospheric depositions from a smelter plant was assessed with a pine bark chip-derived biochar, alone and in combination with either compost or iron grit. Biochar amendment was also trialed in an uncontaminated soil to detect any detrimental effect. The pot experiment consisted in ten soil treatments (% w/w): untreated contaminated soil (Unt); Unt soil amended with biochar alone (1%: B1; 2.5%: B2.5) and in combination: B1 and B2.5 + 5% compost (B1C and B2.5C), B1 and B2.5 + 1% iron grit (B1Z and B2.5Z); uncontaminated soil (Ctrl); Ctrl soil amended with 1 or 2.5% biochar (CtrlB1, CtrlB2.5). After a 3-month reaction period, the soil pore water (SPW) was sampled in potted soils and dwarf beans were grown for a 2-week period. The SPW Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations decreased in all amended-contaminated soils. The biochar effects increased with its addition rate and its combination with either compost or iron grit. Shoot Cd and Zn removals by beans were reduced and shoot Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations decreased to common values in all amended soils except the B1 soil. Decreases in the SPW Cd/Pb/Zn concentrations did not improve the root and shoot yields of plants as compared to the Ctrl soil.

Publication Inra prise en compte dans l'analyse bibliométrique des publications scientifiques mondiales sur les Fruits, les Légumes et la Pomme de terre. Période 2000-2012. http://prodinra.inra.fr/record/256699 | International audience | P-spiked Linz-Donawitz (LD) slag was used as a soil additive to improve physico-chemical soil properties and in situ stabilize Cu and other trace metals in a sandy Cu-contaminated soil (630 mg kg-1 soil) from a former wood preservation site. The LD slag was incorporated into the contaminated soil to consist four treatments: 0 % (T1), 1 % (T2), 2 % (T3), and 4 % (T4) per air-dried soil weight. A similar uncontaminated soil was used as a control (CTRL). After a one-month reaction period, potted soils (1kg) were used for a 2-week growth experiment with dwarf beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Soil pH increased with the incorporation rate of LD slag from 5.7 in the T1 soil up to 7.9 in the T4 soil. Similarly the soil electrical conductivity (EC, in mS cm- 1) rose from 0.15 (T1 soil) up to 1.17 (T4 soil). Bean plants grown on the T1 soil showed a high phytotoxicity. All incorporation rates of LD slag increased the root and shoot dry weight yields compared to the untreated soil (T1). The foliar Ca concentration of beans was enhanced for all LD slag-amended soils, while the foliar Mg, K, and P concentrations were not increased. Foliar Cu, Zn, and Cr concentrations of beans decreased with the LD slag incorporation rate. The 2% incorporation rate was sufficient to obtain the highest bean growth and foliar Ca concentration, to reduce foliar Cu concentration below its upper critical value, and to avoid an excessive soil EC and Zn deficiency.