Biochar Amendments and Phytoremediation: A Combined Approach for Effective Lead Removal in Shooting Range Soils

Abstract

The increasing contamination of soil with heavy metals poses a problem to environmental sustainability. Among these pollutants, lead is particularly concerning due to its persistence in the environment, with harmful effects on human health and ecosystems. Various strategies that combine phytoremediation techniques with soil amendments have emerged to mitigate lead contamination. In this context, biochar has gained significant attention for its potential to enhance soil quality and remediate metal-contaminated environments. This study aims to investigate the combined effect of biochar amendments on the phytoremediation of lead-contaminated shooting range soils. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the impact of the amount and distribution of biochar on lead removal from soil. Soil samples were incubated with biochar for one week, after which two types of seeds (Brassica rapa and Lolium perenne) were planted. Plant and root lengths, as well as the number of germinated seeds, were measured, and a statistical analysis was conducted to determine the influence of the amendments. After one month, the Pb concentration decreased by more than 70%. Our results demonstrate that seed germination and plant growth were significantly better in soil samples where biochar was mixed rather than applied superficially, with the optimal performance observed at a 10% wt. biochar amendment. Additionally, the combined use of biochar and phytoremediation proved highly effective in immobilizing lead and reducing its bioavailability. These findings suggest that the combination of biochar, particularly when mixed at appropriate concentrations, and Brassica rapa significantly improved lead removal efficiency.