Use of Biochar to Remediate Metal(Loid)-Polluted Soils and to Allow Plant Growth

Dear Colleagues,

Soils are fundamental to the ecosystem and provide numerous services, such as biomass production and support for human activities (agriculture, construction, etc.). Thus, their good state is crucial, but human activities have led to significant soil contamination worldwide. Among all the types of pollution, the one generated by metal(loid)s, resulting from anthropogenic activities, is a particularly important issue. Since these contaminated soils are often not suited for direct establishment of plants due to their extreme pH, low contents in organic and inorganic matter, and their elevated levels of metal(loid)s, amendments are required, which will improve soil physicochemical properties, supply nutrients for plant growth, and immobilize metal(loid)s. Among the amendments potentially usable to reduce the availability of inorganic pollutants within a soil, biochar is proposed alone or associated with other amendments to stabilize several metal(loid)s. Thus, through its physicochemical characteristics, biochar (i) has a direct beneficial effect on nutrient supply, (ii) decreases metal(loid) phytoavailability, and (iii) increases soil water holding capacity. Moreover, indirect positive effects on plant resistance to environmental stresses and pathogens have also been demonstrated. Finally, biochar can also change the composition of soil biological communities at bacterial and/or fungal levels and even enhance soil fauna activity. This Special Issue will highlight the effects of biochar inputs in soils polluted by metals and metalloids in order to allow a vegetalization and a decrease in the impact of pollutants on the environment.

Dr. Domenico Morabito
Dr. Sylvain Bourgerie
Dr. Manhattan Lebrun
Guest Editors

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• Biochar
• Soil pollution
• Metal(loid)s
• Plant growth
• Remediation
• Pollution stabilization