Role of Soil Supplements (Integrated Nutrient Management, Biochar) in Minimizing Heavy Metal/Metalloid-Induced Toxicity and Accumulation
摘要
The accumulation of heavy metals and metalloids in agricultural soils is an emerging concern due to the severe toxic effects posed on crop production, soil health, and food safety. Especially in areas with active industries or inadequate waste disposal, the build-up of these toxins in soils can therefore have serious implications for the environment or public health. This chapter presents the prospects of soil supplements (INM practices and biochar) for their roles in minimizing the detrimental effects of heavy metals and metalloids on soil properties, soil microflora, and crop growth. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) means the balanced usage of chemical fertilizers with organic amendments and biofertilizers, which can enhance the soil health and reduce the bioavailability of toxic elements. Biochar is a carbon-rich material derived from the pyrolysis of organic material, and it has been evaluated as a soil amendment for promotion of soil fertility as well as improvement of the water holding capacity, and for adsorption of heavy metals due to a decrease in their mobilization and bioavailability. This chapter thus reviews recent progress and studies conducted worldwide about the effect of these properties of soil amendments on metal toxicity, their accumulation in crops, and possible resilience of agricultural systems under contamination stress. Furthermore, it also quantifies the combined effect of INM and biochar, which implies that this combined management mode is an effective way to promote the sustainable cultivation mode and secure food safety in polluted regions. It concludes by describing the future prospects of the research and application of these soil amendments for the treatment of heavy metal pollution in various agro- ecosystems.