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Applying modified biochar with nZVI/nFe3O4 to immobilize Pb in contaminated soil

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Abstract

Lead (Pb) pollution in soil has become one of the most serious environmental problems, and it is more urgent in areas where acid rain is prevalent. Curing agents to solidify heavy metals in soil are efficiently applied to remediate Pb-contaminated soil. In this study, we prepared biochar, biochar loaded with nano-zero-valent iron (BC-nZVI), and biochar loaded with nano-ferroferric oxide (BC-nFe3O4), and investigated the Pb-immobilizing efficiency in contaminated soil in the condition of acid rain by them. The results showed that 8 g/kg is the best added dosage of curing agents for immobilizing Pb, which of the immobilizing efficiency of Pb were 19% (biochar), 42% (BC-nZVI), and 23% (BC-nFe3O4), respectively. Besides, the curing agents had positive effects on immobilizing Pb under acid rain condition, which could significantly reduce the content of acid extractable Pb, especially BC-nZVI (1.5%). And the immobilization efficiency of modified biochar was better than biochar, especially BC-nZVI (66%). BC-nZVI showed a more ideal effect on decreasing the leaching amount of Pb in the condition of acid rain. The results highlighted that biochar-loaded nano-iron-based materials, especially BC-nZVI, was promising and environmentally friendly materials for remediating Pb-contaminated soils, which provided scientific reference and theoretical basis for the treatment of Pb-contaminated soils around industrial sites particularly in acid rain area.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Mr. Xing Zhi, Mr. Li Xi, and Mr. Xie Yi of Sichuan Metallurgical Geological Exploration Bureau 605 Brigade for their work on monitoring lots of indexes in the study.

Funding

The work was supported by National Key Research and Development Program (No. 2018YFC1802605), Sichuan Provincial Major Science and Technology Project (No. 19ZDZX011), Nature Science Foundation of Sichuan Province (No. 2017SZ0181), International Cooperation Project of Sichuan Province (No. 2019YFH1027), and Project of Sichuan Metallurgical Geological Exploration Bureau.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, No. 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065, China

    Peirou Li, Jiang Yu, Zhuoxi Huangfu, Jiahua Chang, Chengwei Zhong & Ping Ding

  2. Institute of New Energy and Low Carbon Technology, Sichuan University, No. 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065, People’s Republic of China

    Peirou Li, Jiang Yu, Zhuoxi Huangfu, Jiahua Chang, Chengwei Zhong & Ping Ding

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  1. Peirou Li
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  2. Jiang Yu
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Correspondence to Jiang Yu.

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Li, P., Yu, J., Huangfu, Z. et al. Applying modified biochar with nZVI/nFe3O4 to immobilize Pb in contaminated soil. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 24495–24506 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08458-0

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