Efficacy of cattle manure-derived biochar for the remediation of lead-contaminated soils

Abstract

This study determines the efficacy of biochar in the remediation of lead (Pb) contaminated soils through a quantitative and broad scope research. Lead (Pb) contaminated soil samples from an agricultural plot located in Huamachuco were treated with different doses of biochar (10%, 20%, and 25%) for 30 days. The research was divided into two evaluation periods, pre- and post-treatment (T0 and T30), and the information obtained was statistically analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk normality tests and ANOVA, using SPSS v.26 software. During the experimental phase, physical and chemical changes resulting from the treatments were recorded. The findings indicate that biochar is effective in removing lead (Pb), with the 25% dose being the most effective, with a removal rate of 78.9% (28.52 mg/kg), meeting Environmental Quality Standards (ECS) for agricultural soils. An improvement in the physicochemical properties of the soil analyzed was also evident. It is concluded that cattle manure biochar constitutes a viable alternative for the remediation of agricultural soils contaminated with lead (Pb).