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Immobilization of Trace Metals in Contaminated Urban Soil Amended with Compost and Biochar

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Abstract

Urban soil amendment with organic matter can increase the steady state concentration of trace metals in urban soil. Different types of organic matter have different abilities to sorb and retain trace metals. The potential of urban soil amended with compost derived from mixed green and table waste and with maple-wood-derived biochar to retain trace metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in the presence of de-icing salt (Na) was studied in a leaching test. Soil amended with compost retained significantly higher concentrations of Zn and Pb, as compared to soil amended with biochar, possibly due to the high cation exchange capacity of compost and its positive effect on soil pH. Indicating high ability for retaining trace metals, compost can bind contaminants originating from urban runoff water percolating through urban soil and provide a healthier medium for street tree growth.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the City of Montreal Transport Department for providing the financial support for this project and Hélène Lalande for the time and effort she has given to support the laboratory work. The authors are also thankful to Dr. Martin Heroux from the Division de service des infrastructures, du transport et de l'environnement of the City of Montreal, and Dr. Barry Husk from Blue Leaf Inc. for providing the required compost and biochar for this project.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioresource Engineering, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada

    Maryam Kargar, O. Grant Clark, Pierre Jutras & Shiv O. Prasher

  2. Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada

    William H. Hendershot

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  1. Maryam Kargar
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  2. O. Grant Clark
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  3. William H. Hendershot
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Correspondence to Maryam Kargar.

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Kargar, M., Clark, O.G., Hendershot, W.H. et al. Immobilization of Trace Metals in Contaminated Urban Soil Amended with Compost and Biochar. Water Air Soil Pollut 226, 191 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2450-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2450-2

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