Potential of Cassia alata L. Coupled with Biochar for Heavy Metal Stabilization in Multi-Metal Mine Tailings

Lige Huang, Yuanyuan Li, Man Zhao, Yuanqing Chao, Rongliang Qiu, Yanhua Yang and Shizhong Wang
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Lige Huang: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Yuanyuan Li: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Man Zhao: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Yuanqing Chao: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Rongliang Qiu: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Yanhua Yang: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Shizhong Wang: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: To explore the effect of different biochars on Cassia alata L. growth and heavy metal immobilization in multi-metal mine tailings, a 100-day pot experiment was conducted. Three biochars derived from Hibiscus cannabinus core (HB), sewage sludge (SB) and chicken manure (MB), were added to mine tailings at rates of 0.4%, 1% and 3% ( w / w ). The results showed that the root biomass, shoot biomass, plant height and root length were 1.2–2.8, 1.7–3.2, 1–1.5 and 1.6–3.3 times of those in the control group, respectively. Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd and As contents in the shoot decreased by 63.9–89.5%, 46.9–66.0%, 32.7–62.4%, 40.4–76.4% and 54.9–77.5%, respectively. The biochar significantly increased the pH and decreased the mild acid-soluble Pb and Cu concentrations in the mine tailings. Specifically, SB immobilized Pb and Cu better than MB and HB did, although it did not immobilize As, Zn or Cd. Meanwhile, more attention should be paid to the potential As release as the biochar application rate increases. In conclusion, Cassia alata L. coupled with 3% of SB could be an effective measure for restoring multi-metal mine tailings. This study herein provided a promising ecological restoration technique for future practice of heavy metal stabilization in mine tailings.

Keywords: multi-metal mine tailings; biochar; Cassia alata L.; ecological restoration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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