About this Research Topic
Soil pollution with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is one of the main ecological threats worldwide. These contaminants are not biodegradable; hence persist in soil to be absorbed by plants and enter the food chain. This possesses potential health threats for man and animals. Chemical approaches can be used to remove contaminant from soils. Despite the high performance of their techniques; the secondary products may pollute the environment. A cheap and eco-friendly approach known by phytoremediation is therefore the preferred method of contaminant removal.
Another challenge is the global warming threat. Organic amendments can improve the fertility of the soil. However, their carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane emissions are altering our climate. Remarkable effects of biochar as soil amendment have been highlighted during the last few decades. Improving soil fertility, enhancing plant growth, controlling environmental contamination and mitigation of climate changes are the golden keys promoting biochar as a promising technology for environmental sustainability.
A cheap and eco-friendly approach known by phytoremediation is guaranteed for phytoextraction of contaminants from soil. This eco-friendly technique may successfully extract PTEs from vast contaminated areas in a cost-effective way, following (i) ex-situ and (ii) in-situ technologies. In addition, studying the role of biochar applications in combination with phytoremediation technology for the remediation of contaminated soils.
Sequestering soil carbon is also a must to improve the surrounding environment. In this regard, biochar would be a suitable amendment to mitigate global warming besides it being an excellent soil conditioner. It is also considered a slow-release fertilizer that minimizes nutrient leaching from the surface layers of sandy soils.
The main topics of the current issue are to study:
- The feasibility of using ornamental or native plants to attain successful phytoextraction of potentially toxic elements from soils or water to decline their level to more environmentally desirable ones.
- Papers on the bioremediation of organic contaminants in soils or aqueous solutions are also welcomed.
- The importance of biochar in improving plant productivity and, at the same time reducing global warming threats is also a matter of concern.
Another challenge is the global warming threat. Organic amendments can improve the fertility of the soil. However, their carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane emissions are altering our climate. Remarkable effects of biochar as soil amendment have been highlighted during the last few decades. Improving soil fertility, enhancing plant growth, controlling environmental contamination and mitigation of climate changes are the golden keys promoting biochar as a promising technology for environmental sustainability.
A cheap and eco-friendly approach known by phytoremediation is guaranteed for phytoextraction of contaminants from soil. This eco-friendly technique may successfully extract PTEs from vast contaminated areas in a cost-effective way, following (i) ex-situ and (ii) in-situ technologies. In addition, studying the role of biochar applications in combination with phytoremediation technology for the remediation of contaminated soils.
Sequestering soil carbon is also a must to improve the surrounding environment. In this regard, biochar would be a suitable amendment to mitigate global warming besides it being an excellent soil conditioner. It is also considered a slow-release fertilizer that minimizes nutrient leaching from the surface layers of sandy soils.
The main topics of the current issue are to study:
- The feasibility of using ornamental or native plants to attain successful phytoextraction of potentially toxic elements from soils or water to decline their level to more environmentally desirable ones.
- Papers on the bioremediation of organic contaminants in soils or aqueous solutions are also welcomed.
- The importance of biochar in improving plant productivity and, at the same time reducing global warming threats is also a matter of concern.
Keywords: Potentially toxic elements, PTEs, Plant growth, Stress, Biochar, phytoremediation
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