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Advanced Methods and Technologies in Soil Metal Pollution Removal

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Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, with the rapid development of industry and agriculture, heavy metal pollution in soil has become a major problem in many countries. It is estimated that there are approximately 10 million contaminated plots in the world, more than 50% of which are contaminated by heavy metals. More than 20 million hectares of land are contaminated by heavy metals (colloids) including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and selenium (Se). Thus, advanced scientific research and technological developments for polluted soil remediation are urgently needed. More environmentally friendly methodologies should be proposed to guarantee improved food production and human health. Lately, novel technologies have aroused wide interest in sustainable agriculture. This Special Issue will also focus on advanced, low-cost, green and recyclable technologies and methods, e.g., novel magnetic (nano)materials, phytoremediation technology, strengthened constructed wetlands, sustainable soil leaching and electrochemical remediation methods, for heavy metal removal from soil.

This Special Issue in Sustainability aims to gather a collection of high-quality works on sustainable soil ecosystems that support crop production and promote human health under polluted environments using advanced and practical techniques.

We are pleased to welcome submissions of original and technical articles, reviews, short communications and meta-analyses pertaining to green remediation, practical technology, phytoremediation, soil remediation and heavy metals.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yutao Peng
Dr. Bangxi Zhang
Dr. Baige Zhang
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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17 pages, 3538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insights into Opposite and Positive Effects of Biochar and Organic Fertilizer on Red Soil Properties and Growth of Pennisetum giganteum

by Bangxi Zhang, Xue Li, Tianhong Fu, Hongzhao Li, Wendi Li, Qinyu Zhang, Jie Wang, Bo Chen, Rende Yang, Baige Zhang, Xiaomin Wang, Xuehan He, Hao Chen, Yujin Zhang and Yutao Peng

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 15142; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152015142 - 23 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1190

Abstract

Biochar (BC) and organic fertilizers (OFs) are both organic soil amendments that can be used to improve soil quality, but their effects on soil physicochemical properties and microbial structures may be different. Comparative studies can help us understand the advantages and disadvantages of different types of soils. In the current research, five treatments, including a control group (CK), two concentrations of biochar (2% BC and 4% BC), and two concentrations of organic fertilizer (2% OF and 4% OF) and their effects on soil properties, enzyme activities, and bacterial diversity were evaluated. The BC and OF significantly increased the soil EC, pH, and soil nutrients (p < 0.05). The 2% BC increased the biomass of Pennisetum giganteum by 41.7%. The 4% BC and OF reduced the biomass of P. giganteum. Furthermore, the observed decrease in the P. giganteum yield following the application of the 4% BC can be attributed to reductions in the available phosphorus (AP) and CaCl₂-P, as well as alterations in the soil enzyme activity. However, the negative impact of OFs on crop yield may be associated with an increased EC, elevated abundance of soil-borne pathogens, and decreased levels of beneficial microorganisms. In summary, a comparative study of the effects of BC and OF on the growth of P. giganteum in acidic soil is of great significance for improving the soil quality, promoting the development of organic agriculture, protecting the environment, and promoting land reclamation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methods and Technologies in Soil Metal Pollution Removal)

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10 pages, 2216 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bacillus Thuringiensis Enhances the Ability of Ryegrass to Remediate Cadmium-Contaminated Soil

by Jiyuan Jin, Ruidong Mi, Qiao Li, Jian Lang, Yushu Lan, Na Huang and Gang Yang

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5177; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065177 - 15 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1286

Abstract

Phytoremediation technology has been widely used for the remediation of heavy metals in soil due to its favorable environmental and ecological effects, but establishing a single phytoremediation technology can result in bottlenecks, such as a long cycle, low biomass, and difficulty in root absorption. At present, inoculation with microorganisms that could assist plants in their remediation of contaminated soils is attracting increasing attention. Therefore, in this study we selected ryegrass and Bacillus thuringiensis (SY) and analyzed the effects of SY inoculation on the growth of ryegrass, including the accumulation of Cd in ryegrass, changes in heavy metal forms, and the heavy metal content in rhizosphere soil, using pot experiments. The results indicate that SY inoculation promotes root growth and development of the ryegrass and the accumulation of cadmium in the plants. In addition, SY inoculation increased the levels of soil nutrients and the activities of soil urease, sucrase, and alkaline phosphatase. This study reveals that the use of SY improves the remediation efficiency of ryegrass for cadmium-contaminated soil, and supports the application potential of microorganisms in soil remediation technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methods and Technologies in Soil Metal Pollution Removal)

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