Journal Article

FZJ-2025-02363

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Zinc and Cadmium Remediation in Contaminated Soil by CaCO3-Biochar Material from Sugar Beet Industry

Borges, R. (Corresponding author) ; Soares, M. B. ; Pollo, M. P. ; Alleoni, L. R. F. ; Giroto, A. S. ; Gonçalves, M. ; Müller, M.FZJ* ; Jablonowski, N. D.FZJ* ; Ribeiro, C. (Corresponding author)

2025
Springer Science + Business Media B.V Dordrecht [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1007/s11270-025-07965-5

Abstract: Ore mining and other industrial processes can release toxic elements such as zinc and cadmium into the soil, posing a potential environmental risk. Biochar produced by biomass pyrolysis is proposed to treat contaminated soils by sorption of the contaminants while boosting soil fertility, water retention, and microbial activity. Here, we propose the utilization of Carbokalk, an inexpensive byproduct (spent lime, SL) of the sugar-beet industry, as an ideal source for soil-treatment biochar. We examined the pyrolysis of SL containing up to 20% organic matter at various temperatures and in an oxidizing (air) and inert (N2) atmosphere. Our results indicate that the pyrolysis temperatures and gas atmospheres greatly influence the physicochemical features of SL-biochar, identifying the most suitable temperature of 600 ºC for both atmospheres. SL-biochar incubation in contaminated soil has shown the potential to mitigate metal contamination in soils. However, under an oxidizing atmosphere, SL-biochar provides higher reductions in exchangeable Zn and Cd fractions. It accounts for 3% and 20%, respectively, along with increases in fractions associated with carbonate and organic matter. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of SL-biochar in immobilizing these contaminants.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Pflanzenwissenschaften (IBG-2)

Research Program(s):

1. 2172 - Utilization of renewable carbon and energy sources and engineering of ecosystem functions (POF4-217) (POF4-217)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

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