Combining biochar and sewage sludge for immobilization of heavy metals in mining soils

Excess heavy metal concentrations in mining areas is a worldwide problem due to their toxicity and persistence. Applying amendments to those areas is a cost-effective remediation technique that would aid revegetation efforts. The aim of this work was to study the ability of sewage sludge-derived biochar (SSB), wood charcoal powder (hereafter named wood biochar – WB), raw sewage sludge (SS), and their blending (WB/SS) to improve soil properties and to immobilize Cd, Pb, and Zn after their addition to heavy-metal contaminated soils from a Zn-mining area. Biochar was prepared from dried sewage sludge and a greenhouse experiment was set using different amendment doses (WB = 30 and 60 g kg−1, SS = 10 and 20 g kg−1). Addition of wood biochar and sewage sludge-derived biochar to soils led to increased leachate and soil pH. Biochar materials were responsible for the greatest reduction of Cd, Pb, and Zn bioavailability. The use of sewage sludge-derived biochar or the combination of sewage sludge with wood biochar in mining areas are potential alternatives for reusing and aggregating value to these locally available wastes, offering an opportunity to solve both soil remediation and waste disposal problems at once. •The amending potentials of biochars and sewage sludge were evaluated.•Application of biochars led to increased soil and leachate pH.•Biochars reduced Cd, Pb, and Zn bioavailability.