Abstract

Bolanle Morayo Babalola^1* and Hao Zhang²

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/360102

The use of biochar obtained from various sources to effectively immobilize heavy metals in soils have been widely reported, its use to remediate soils may reduce the problem of soil pollution as biochar can reduce the bioavailable heavy metal in soils through adsorption and other physicochemical reactions. Although Delonix regia had been reportedly used in treatment of wastewater, its use for soil remediation has not been investigated in any literature. The efficacy of two amendments (Delonix regia pod powder and hard wood biochar) for the remediation of Tropical soils contaminated with heavy metals (Lead, Copper and Cadmium) were examined under different soil pH, different contaminants concentration, in the presence of organic matter and at different aging period by using 0.01M CaCl2 extractant. This study gives an overview of the effect of these various conditions on the immobilization of the considered heavy metals by Biochar and Delonix regia pod powder and the result obtained can be used as a solution to remediate soils rich and deficient in organic matter. The immobilization efficiency of both amendments were affected by soil pH and their performance was generally high irrespective of level of contaminants with biochar having the higher effectiveness. The result also revealed that biochar would be a more suitable choice of treatment in weathered soils while Delonix regia pods performance was better in organic matter rich soil which typify agricultural soils.

Biochar, Delonix Regia Pods, Extraction Method, Heavy Metals, Immobilization Efficiency, Potential-Bioavailable Metal.

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