title: Soil application of biochar produced from biomass grown on trace element contaminated land.
abstract: Trace element (TE) contamination of soils is a worldwide problem. However, although not considered safe anymore for food production without clean-up, many of these soils may still be used to produce biomass for non-food purposes such as biochar. Exploring the suitability of such biochar for the amendment of low-fertility soil, we investigated growth and metal accumulation of ryegrass (Lolium perenne, var. Calibra) as well as soil microbial abundance on a non-contaminated soil after amendment with biochar from birch (Betula pendula) wood produced on TE contaminated soil in comparison to a treatment with birch wood biochar originating from non-contaminated soil. Biochars were produced from both feedstocks by pyrolysis at two temperatures: 450 and 700 °C. During the pyrolysis, in contrast to Cu, Fe, Mg, K, Mn and P, the elements Cd, Pb, S and Na volatilized. The root biomass of the biochar treated plants was lower than that of the non-amended plants, while that of the shoot was higher. Plant shoot K and Zn concentrations were increased significantly by up to 7- and 3.3-fold respectively. For P, Mg, Mn, Fe and Cu no significant increase in shoot concentration could be detected. Neither the TE-contaminated biochar, nor the non-contaminated biochar had adverse effect on the bacterial community of the soil.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland. Electronic address: michael.evangelou@env.ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Michael W H
authors.initials: MWH
authors.lastname: Evangelou
authors.affiliation: Soil Science and Biogeochemistry, Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brem
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ugolini
authors.affiliation: Soil Science and Biogeochemistry, Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abiven
authors.affiliation: Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schulin
mesh_terms: D029662:Betula / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008129:Lolium / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal
keywords: Birch; Microbial community; Soil amendment; Soil contamination; Trace elements