The Impact of Soil Contamination with Lead on the Biomass of Maize Intended for Energy Purposes, and the Biochemical and Physicochemical Properties of the Soil

Jadwiga Wyszkowska (), Edyta Boros-Lajszner and Jan Kucharski
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Jadwiga Wyszkowska: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
Edyta Boros-Lajszner: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
Jan Kucharski: Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: The subject of our research was to assess the suitability of maize grown in lead-contaminated soil for energy purposes. Lead is toxic to the natural environment. Therefore, the recultivation of soil polluted with this element is very important in stabilizing the natural environment. In the present research, maize was used as a remediating plant, and its effects were enhanced by soil fertilization with biocompost and biochar. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of Pb 2+ on maize biomass, its combustion heat and heating value, and the biochemical and physicochemical properties of the soil. It was accomplished in a pot experiment by testing the effects of 800 mg Pb 2+ kg −1 d.m. soil and biocompost and biochar applied of 20 g kg −1 d.m. soil. Lead was found to drastically deteriorate soil quality, which reduced the biomass of maize. Lead negatively affected the activity of the soil enzymes tested and modified the physicochemical properties of the soil. Fertilization with biocompost and biochar mitigated lead-induced interference with soil enzymatic activity. The applied biocomponents also had positive effects on the chemical and physicochemical properties of the soil. Maize cultivated on lead-polluted soil did not lose its energetic properties. The heating value of maize was stable, which shows its potential in the recultivation of lead-contaminated soils.

Keywords: trace elements; biochar; compost; plant; soil enzymatic activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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