Influence of biochar and soil properties on soil and plant tissue concentrations of Cd and Pb: A meta-analysis

The application of biochar to soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) has received particular attention due to its ability to reduce PTE uptake by the plants. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to identify Cd and Pb concentrations in plant shoots and roots in response to biochar application and soil properties. We collected data from 65 peer-reviewed journal articles published from 2009 to 2020 in which 66% of manuscripts were published from 2015 to 2020. The data were processed using OpenMEE software. The results pinpointed that addition of biochar to soil caused a significant decrease in shoot and root Cd and Pb concentrations as compared to untreated soils with biochar (control), and the reduction rate was affected by plant types and both biochar and soil properties. The biochar size less than 2 mm, biochar pH higher than 10, pyrolysis temperature of 401–600 °C, and the application rate higher than 2% appeared to be effective in reducing shoot and root Cd and Pb concentration. Soil properties such as pH, SOC, and texture influenced the efficiency of biochar for reducing plant Cd and Pb uptake. Biochar application increased SOC (54.3%), CEC (48.0%), pH (0.08), and EC (59.4%), and reduced soil extractable Cd (42.1%) and Pb (47.1%) concentration in comparison to control. A detailed study on the rhizosphere chemistry and uptake mechanism will help to underpin the biochar application rates and their efficiency reducing PTE mobility and plant uptake. [Display omitted] •Soil and biochar properties affected soil Cd and Pb availability and plant uptake.•Biochar pH and pyrolysis temperature control root and shoot Cd and Pb concentration.•An increase in soil pH and SOC induced by biochar reduced Cd and Pb concentration.•The application of biochar improved the physio-chemical properties of soil.•Reduction in the Cd and Pb concentrations induced by biochar varied with plant type.