We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impact of Microplastics on the Immobilization of Cd in Soil by Biochar
AI summary Read the abstract
Biochar is often used to lock toxic cadmium in place in farm soil so it doesn't end up in our food, but this study found that microplastics in the soil can interfere with that process, making cadmium more available for crops to absorb. The effect was worse with higher levels of microplastics, larger plastic particles, and certain plastic types (like polypropylene), suggesting that plastic pollution could be quietly undermining efforts to keep toxic metals out of our food supply.
Microplastics (MPs) and Cd commonly coexist in agricultural soils; however, their interference with biochar (BC)-based in situ immobilization and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, batch incubation experiments were conducted to systematically evaluate the effects of MPs with varying concentrations (0.5%, 1%, and 10%), particle sizes (48 μm and 150 μm), and polymer types (polyethylene, PE; polypropylene, PP) on the Cd immobilization efficiency of KOH-modified biochar (BC1). The results showed that the presence of MPs significantly weakened the ameliorative effects of BC1 on soil physicochemical properties (pH, EC, and CEC). Moreover, MPs interfered with Cd immobilization through physical obstruction and interfacial competitive adsorption, which in turn increased Cd bioavailability. Notably, the coexistence of 10% PP (150 μm) increased the H₂O-extractable Cd concentration by 144.06% relative to the BC1-only treatment. Simultaneously, the coexistence of MPs increased the environmental risk factor (ERF) of Cd by up to 75.74%. The BCR sequential extraction results further demonstrated that MPs inhibited the transformation of Cd from labile fractions (acid-soluble and reducible) into more stable fractions (oxidizable and residual). Overall, the interference effect showed clear dependencies on dosage, particle size, and polymer type, with higher concentrations, larger particle sizes, and PP showing more pronounced negative impacts. Therefore, MPs, as critical interfering factors, can substantially reduce the remediation efficiency of biochar in Cd-contaminated soils and should be explicitly considered in soil risk assessment and remediation strategy design under co-contamination scenarios.
More Papers Like This
Biochar Offsets Microplastic-Induced Cadmium Mobilization and Plant Accumulation in Contaminated Soils
AI summary Read the abstract
This greenhouse study found that microplastics in soil can increase how much cadmium (a toxic heavy metal) is absorbed by crops. Adding biochar to the soil helped counteract this effect, reducing cadmium uptake by plants — a promising finding for protecting food safety in contaminated farmland.
Effects of microplastics in soil on the regulation of cadmium bioavailability by biochar
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how biochar amendments affect cadmium bioavailability in soils co-contaminated with microplastics, finding that the presence of microplastics altered cadmium mobility and complicated biochar's remediation effectiveness in ways that depend on the specific MP type present.
Adsorption, immobilization mechanisms and potential risks of Cd in soil-biochar-microplastics system
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how varying concentrations (0-10%) of polyethylene microplastics affect biochar's capacity to adsorb and immobilize cadmium (Cd) in soil. Microplastics increased biochar's Cd adsorption by up to 33% but simultaneously elevated Cd leaching risk, highlighting a complex trade-off in using biochar for heavy metal remediation in microplastic-contaminated soils.
Competitive adsorption behaviors and mechanisms of Cd, Ni, and Cu by biochar when coexisting with microplastics under single, binary, and ternary systems
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how biochar absorbs heavy metals like cadmium, nickel, and copper when microplastics are also present in the soil. They found that microplastics competed with biochar for metal binding, reducing its effectiveness as a soil amendment. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may undermine common remediation strategies that rely on biochar to immobilize toxic metals.
Effects of microplastics and biochar on soil cadmium availability and wheat plant performance
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that fresh microplastics increased soil cadmium availability and plant uptake in wheat, and when combined with biochar, microplastics further amplified cadmium mobilization by decreasing soil pH and increasing dissolved organic matter, complicating biochar-based soil remediation strategies.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.