A novel maize biochar-based compound fertilizer for immobilizing cadmium and improving soil quality and maize growth

Zhifan Chen; Jincheng Pei; Zhangdong Wei; Xinling Ruan; Yanxu Hua; Wei Xu; Chaosheng Zhang; Tianyu Liu; Yan Guo

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116455

A novel maize biochar-based compound fertilizer for immobilizing cadmium and improving soil quality and maize growth

Environ Pollut. 2021 May 15:277:116455. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116455. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Authors

Zhifan Chen¹, Jincheng Pei², Zhangdong Wei³, Xinling Ruan⁴, Yanxu Hua⁵, Wei Xu⁶, Chaosheng Zhang⁷, Tianyu Liu⁸, Yan Guo⁹

Affiliations

¹ College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, 475004, China; National Demonstration Center for Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China; Henan Engineering Research Center for Control & Remediation of Soil Heavy Metal Pollution, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Earth System Observation and Modeling, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China. Electronic address: chenzhf0604@163.com.
² College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, 475004, China; National Demonstration Center for Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China. Electronic address: 798263553@qq.com.
³ College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, 475004, China; National Demonstration Center for Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China. Electronic address: 15565139820@163.com.
⁴ College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, 475004, China; National Demonstration Center for Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China; Henan Engineering Research Center for Control & Remediation of Soil Heavy Metal Pollution, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China. Electronic address: xlruan@henu.edu.cn.
⁵ College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, 475004, China; National Demonstration Center for Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China. Electronic address: 846751802@qq.com.
⁶ College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, 475004, China; National Demonstration Center for Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China. Electronic address: 779208125@qq.com.
⁷ International Network for Environment and Health, School of Geography and Archaeology& Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: chaosheng.zhang@nuigalway.ie.
⁸ College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, 475004, China; National Demonstration Center for Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China. Electronic address: 1821024603@qq.com.
⁹ College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, 475004, China; National Demonstration Center for Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China. Electronic address: 1838446209@qq.com.

PMID: 33640817
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116455

Abstract

In this study, a novel biochar-based compound fertilizer (BCF) was synthesized with maize straw biomass, diatomite, triple superphosphate and urea at different temperatures (300 °C, 450 °C, 600 °C) and mixture proportions (5:1:1:x and 10:1:1:x). An investigation was conducted into the effects of BCF at low application rates on the immobilization of available cadmium, soil fertility and maize growth. The lab incubation experiments showed that the low doses of BCF (B5PN_x and B10PN_x) contributed to a significant reduction of the Cd availability in soil, with the highest reduction rate of available Cd up to 44.13%. Field experiments demonstrated that the low doses ( < 0.1%) of BCF（especially for B5PN₆₀₀）led to the improvement of soil fertility and maize growth (including maize yield) and the significant reduction of Cd contents in maize grains. The increase of pyrolysis temperature could enhance the biochar adsorption capacity for Cd²⁺ by increasing both specific surface areas and total pore volume. The modification of urea, diatomite and triple superphosphate played a vital role on cadmium immobilization, soil improvement and maize growth by forming porous adsorption, precipitates or complexation with the increase of functional groups, as well as supplementation of N, P, Si nutrients. This study suggested that the biochar-based compound fertilizer (BCF with a mixture ratio of 5:1:1:x) produced at 600 °C could be served as a promising and eco-friendly remediation agent for the arable soils polluted with Cd, with reduction of chemical fertilizers.

Keywords: Biochar-based compound fertilizer; Cadmium immobilization; Maize growth; Soil fertility.

MeSH terms

Cadmium / analysis
Charcoal
Fertilizers
Soil Pollutants* / analysis
Soil*
Zea mays

Substances

Fertilizers
Soil
Soil Pollutants
biochar
Cadmium
Charcoal