APPLICATION OF BIOCHAR PRODUCED FROM PROSOPIS JULIFLORA PODS FOR THE REMOVAL OF LEAD AND NICKEL FROM ARTIFICIALLY CONTAMINATED SOIL AND ENHANCING TOMATO GROWTH

Abstract

The utilization of biochar is considered an environmentally friendly and cost-effective remediation method. In this regard, the application of biochar produced from Prosopis juliflora pods seems to be potentially effective in immobilizing heavy metals and enhancing soil properties and quality. The batch experiment and incubation experiment were conducted with different initial concentrations of Pb (II) and Ni (II), which proved the efficiency of biochar in remediating contaminated aqueous solutions and soil, respectively. The maximum adsorption obtained for Pb (II) was 959.9 mg/g and 270 mg/g, whereas Ni (II) was 381.06 mg/g and 149.95 mg/g, at higher initial concentrations in batch and incubation experiments, respectively. Additionally, a pot experiment was carried out to ensure the efficiency of biochar on the growth of the tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum). Biochar showed a significant impact on tomato plants in terms of growth parameters and yield after the pot experiment. Moreover, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses demonstrated that biochar potentially reduced and remediated contaminated media through several mechanisms, namely, adsorption, precipitation, complexation, ion exchange, and electrostatic interaction. This study concludes that P. juliflora biochar potentially improved soil quality and properties and is attributed to enhancing the growth of tomato plants.