Reduction of soil heavy metal bioavailability by nanoparticles and cellulosic wastes improved the biomass of tree seedlings

The purpose of this study was to use zero‐valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) and cellulosic wastes to reduce bioavailability of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), and to establish Persian maple seedlings ( Acer velutinum Bioss.) in contaminated soil. One‐year‐old seedlings were planted in pots filled with unpolluted soil. Lead [Pb(NO 3 ) 2 ] and Cd [Cd(NO 3 ) 2 ] were added with concentrations of 0 (Control), 100 (Pb100), 200 (Pb200), and 300 (Pb300) mg kg −1 and 10 (Cd10), 20 (Cd20), and 30 (Cd30) mg kg −1 . Cellulosic wastes were mixed with soil at the same time of planting [four levels: 0, 10 (W1), 20 (W2), 30 (W3) g 100 g −1 soil]. The nZVI was prepared by reducing Fe 3+ to Fe 0 and injected to pots [four levels: 0, 1 (N1), 2 (N2), and 3 (N3) mg kg −1 ]. Height, diameter, biomass, tolerance index of seedlings, bioavailability of heavy metals in soil, and removal efficiency of amendments were measured. The highest values of seedling characteristics were observed in N3. The highest removal efficiency of Pb (Pb100: 81.95%, Pb200: 75.5%, Pb300: 69.9%) and Cd (Cd10: 92%, Cd20: 73.7%, Cd30: 68.5%) was also observed in N3. The use of nZVI and cellulosic waste could be a proper approach for seedling establishment in forests contaminated with heavy metals.