title: Biochar and compost amendments enhance copper immobilisation and support plant growth in contaminated soils.
abstract: Contamination of soil with trace elements, such as Cu, is an important risk management issue. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of three biochars and compost on plant growth and the immobilisation of Cu in a contaminated soil from a site formerly used for wood preservation. To assess Cu mobility, amended soils were analysed using leaching tests pre- and post-incubation, and post-growth. Amended and unamended soils were planted with sunflower, and the resulting plant material was assessed for yield and Cu concentration. All amendments significantly reduced leachable Cu compared to the unamended soil, however, the greatest reductions in leachable Cu were associated with the higher biochar application rate. The greatest improvements in plant yields were obtained with the higher application rate of biochar in combination with compost. The results suggest joint biochar and compost amendment reduces Cu mobility and can support biomass production on Cu-contaminated soils.
authors: r3 Environmental Technology UK Ltd, H9 TOB1, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus, Reading, UK. Electronic address: sarah@r3environmental.co.uk.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Jones
authors: r3 Environmental Technology UK Ltd, H9 TOB1, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus, Reading, UK. Electronic address: paul@r3environmental.co.uk.
authors: R Paul
authors: RP
authors: Bardos
authors: Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiológicas de Galicia (IIAG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Spain. Electronic address: pkidd@iiag.csic.es.
authors: Petra S
authors: PS
authors: Kidd
authors: UMR BIOGECO INRA 1202, Ecologie des Communautés, Université de Bordeaux, Bât. B2, allée Geoffroy St-Hilaire, CS50023, F-33615, Pessac cedex, France; INRA, UMR BIOGECO INRA 1202, 69 Route d'Arcachon, 33610, Cestas, France. Electronic address: mench@bordeaux.inra.fr.
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Mench
authors: C-Cure Solutions Ltd, Forest Research, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey, UK. Electronic address: frans@ccuresolutions.com.
authors: Frans
authors: F
authors: de Leij
authors: C-Cure Solutions Ltd, Forest Research, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey, UK. Electronic address: tony@ccuresolutions.com.
authors: Tony
authors: T
authors: Hutchings
authors: Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK. Electronic address: A.cundy@brighton.ac.uk.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Cundy
authors: Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Joyce
authors: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Konrad Lorenz-Str. 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria. Electronic address: Gerhard.soja@ait.ac.at.
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Soja
authors: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Konrad Lorenz-Str. 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria. Electronic address: Wolfgang.friesl@ait.ac.at.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Friesl-Hanl
authors: Phytotech Foundation & AGB, Quartiergasse 12, CH3013, Berne, Switzerland. Electronic address: rolf.herzig.agb@bleuwin.ch.
authors: Rolf
authors: R
authors: Herzig
authors: Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, E-48160, Derio - Bizkaia, Spain. Electronic address: pierre.menger@tecnalia.com.
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Menger
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis*; D006368:Helianthus / Q000254:growth & development*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis; D014934:Wood / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal; D003300:Copper
keywords: In situ stabilisation; Leaching tests; Organic amendments; Plant trials; Sunflower; Trace elements