Immobilization of chlorobenzenes in soil using wheat straw biochar

Abstract

Biochar has shown great potential for immobilizing organic contaminants in soil. In this study, pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachlorobenzene (1, 2, 4, 5-TeCB), and 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene (1, 2, 4-TCB) artificially spiked soil was amended with wheat straw biochar at 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% application rates, respectively. The sorption, dissipation, and bioavailability of chlorobenzenes (CBs) in soil were investigated. The sorption of PeCB by biochar was significantly higher than that of its sorption by both biochar-amended and unamended soil (p< 0.05). The dissipation and volatilization of CBs from biochar-amended soil significantly decreased relative to unamended soil (p< 0.05). Bioavailability of CBs, expressed as butanol extraction efficiency and earthworm (Eisenia fetida) bioaccumulation factor, significantly decreased with increasing aging time and biochar application rate …