Biochar-based fertilizer successfully cleans lead-contaminated soil, revolutionizing environmental restoration.
Soil contaminated with lead can be harmful, but using a special type of biochar loaded with phosphorus can help clean it up. Researchers made this biochar by heating rice husks and adding phosphorus. They tested different versions of the biochar in soil contaminated with lead to see which worked best. The biochar made at 500 ºC was the most effective at reducing the harmful effects of lead and increasing the availability of phosphorus in the soil. They also found that testing plants and soil enzymes can show if the remediation process is working well. This method could be a useful way to check if soil is safe after cleaning up lead contamination.