Assessment of Zeolite, Biochar, and Their Combination for Stabilization of Multimetal-Contaminated Soil

In this study, the natural zeolite and rice husk biochar were mixed as a combination amendment for metal immobilization in a Cd, Pb, As, and W co-contaminated soil. A 90 day incubation study was conducted to investigate the effects of amendments on toxic metal in soil. Zeolite, biochar, and their combination application increased the soil pH and cation exchange capacity. A combination of amendments decreased the bioavailability of Cd, Pb, As, and W. Besides, the potential drawback of biochar application on As and W release was overcome by the combination agent. Zeolite, biochar, and combination treatment decreased total bioavailability toxicity from 335.5 to 182.9, 250.5, and 143.4, respectively, which means that combination was an optimum amendment for soil remediation. The results of the Community Bureau of Reference sequential extraction and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectrometry images confirmed the Cd and Pb adsorption onto biochar. However, As and W immobilization was dominantly controlled by zeolite. It appears that the combination of amendments is an efficient amendment to remediate Cd, Pb, As, and W co-contamination in soil, although the combination of amendments has a lower stabilization rate for W than for zeolite.