Examining the efficacy of different biochars to reduce Zn and Pb uptake by ryegrass; a meta-analysis of diverse heavy metal contaminated soils

Bc. Sergei Zotin

Master's thesis

Abstract:

In this study the application of different doses (1% and 5%) of three biochar on contaminated soils from European countries (Czech Republic, Spain, France) was investigated. All soils have in common a rather high level of contamination in consequence of past mining activities or the automotive industry. In this work, attempts were made to assess the mobility and uptake of Zn and Pb by Lolium perenne ryegrass after biochar application. For this purpose, existing data from classical pot experiments that have been done before were analysed. The mobility of the investigated metals was assessed by collecting soil pore water. More effective results for increasing the dry plant biomass were recorded in almost all cases with a biochar dosage of 5 %. Similar results were obtained when observing Zn and Pb concentrations in soil pore water and in dry biomass of ryegrass. The main factors affecting the mobility and uptake of these metals were pH, SOM, and soil texture. Based on the results of this work, it is worth thinking about a wider application of biochar in different areas of human activity due to the availability of materials to produce these amendments and their production method that is not harmful to the environment.

Keywords

remedial treatments, lead, contaminated soils, biochar, ryegrass, zinc

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 2. 4. 2023

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 19. 5. 2023
• Vedúci: Manhattan Lebrun, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Zuzana Vaňková, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Master programme:
Regional Environmental Administration