Novel Fuller Earth, Rock Phosphate, and Biochar for Phytomanagement of Toxic Metals in Polluted Soils

Abstract

The present study was aimed to assess the efficacy of individual and combined effects of novel fuller earth, rock phosphate, and biochar (grapefruit peel) at 1% dosage on maize plant growth, soil chemical properties anduptake of toxic metals (TMs), such as Cu, Zn, Fe, and Cd, by maize plant sown in Korangi (district of Karachi, Pakistan) heavily polluted and Korangi less polluted (K-HP and K-LP) soils. The obtained results indicate that the dry biomass of maize crop increased by 14.13% with combined (FE1% + GBC1%) on K-HP soil and 18.24% with combined (FE 1% + GBC 1%) effects on K-LP soil. The maximum immobilization of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Cd was observed by 36% with GBC1%, 11.90% with FE1%, 98.97% with combined RP1% + GBC1%, 51.9% with FE1% + GBC1% for K-HP, 11.90% with FE1%, 28.6% with FE1%, 22.22% with RP1% + GBC1%, and 57.05% with FE 1% + GBC 1% for K-LP soil. After the addition of proposed substances, modification of soil OM, SOC, TOC, and pH level appeared this lead to the changes in the phyto-availability of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Cd in maize plant. It was concluded that the application of individual and combined effects of novel fuller earth, rock phosphate, and biochar (grapefruit peel) have potential to stabilize pollutants from multi-metal polluted soils for safe crop production.

Potential Role of Combined Microbial Inoculants and Plant of Limnocharis flava on Eliminating Cadmium from Artificial Contaminated Soil

“…The results revealed that the Cd remained in L. flava restricted the development of the plant. Bahadur et al [37] observed a positive correlation among Cd content in maize shoots and Cd in heavily and mildly polluted soils.…”

Alone and Combined Application of Press Mud Compost and Fuller Earth for Abating Pb and Cd and Enhance Sorghum Growth in Polluted Soils

“…The concentration CaCO3 was increased up to 3.55 and 22.58 % with PMC 1 % + FE 1 % as amendment in the Sharafi Goth and Malir polluted soils (Figure 4 e, f). Bahadur et al (2022) stated that EC, pH and O.M were enhanced with the addition of fuller earth in contaminated soils from Korangi industrial area. James and Pandian (2016) examined that 0.25 % press mud was ideal in augmenting the strength of the lime-stabilized soil at the initial consumption of lime (ICL).…”

“…Sabir et al (2013) revealed that maize growth was increased by application of press mud. Bahadur et al (2022) reported that the maize growth was increased in heavily polluted soil with the application of fuller earth. It was observed that the soil EC was increasing application of amendments, whereas the maximum soil EC was observed ranging from 0.94 to 1.46 EC dS m -1 with the application of PMC 1 % + FE 1 % in Sharafi Goth polluted soil, and 1.16 to 1.77 EC dS m -1 with the addition of PMC 1 % + FE 1 % in Malir polluted soil (Figure 3 c, d).…”

“…Fuller earth is a hydrated solid material that has potential to adsorb pollutants in the soil medium due to greater pore space and high cation exchange capacity and huge surface area of particles (Bahadur et al, 2022). It is a sedimentary clay, which is rich in magnesium oxide, having bleaching and clarifying petroleum applications along with abilities to refine edible oils.…”

“…Mise et al (2020) evaluated that impact of fuller's earth on removal of Zn from laterite soil and black cotton soil. Bahadur et al (2022) assessed that impact of fuller earth, rock phosphate, and biochar on remediation of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Cd in heavy and less polluted soil and reduce their uptake by maize plant. Kandil et al (2023) studied the efficacy of hybrid composite of fuller's earth, aluminium silicate and chitosan on removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) in aqueous solution.…”