Effects of Fe-Mn-Ce oxide-modified biochar on As accumulation, morphology, and quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.).Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020 May; 27(15):18196-18207.ES
The fluidity of arsenic (As) in soil used for rice cultivation under flooding conditions is the main reason for its high accumulation in rice, which poses a serious threat to human's health. Biochar can immobilize heavy metal (for example lead) of soil because of the strong binding of heavy metals to the inner biochar particles. We conducted a pot experiment to evaluate the effects of biochar (BC) and Fe-Mn-Ce oxide-modified biochar composites (FMCBCs) on the morphology, As accumulation, and grain quality of rice grown in As-contaminated soils. The biochar and FMCBC treatments significantly increased the dry weight of roots, stems, leaves, and rice grains grown in As-contaminated soil (P < 0.05). The As concentration in different parts of rice was significantly lower with treatment FMCBC3-2 (BC, Fe, Mn, and Ce weight ratio of 24:2:3:10) than with the BC and control (no BC) treatments. The application of FMCBC3-2 maximized the yield and quality of rice grains: rice grain yields were 61.45-68.41% higher over control and the proportion of essential amino acids in the rice grains was 31.01-44.62%. The application of FMCBCs also increased the concentration of Fe-Mn plaques, which prevent the uptake of As by rice, thereby mitigating the toxic effects of As-contaminated soil on rice. In summary, Fe-Mn-Ce oxide-modified BC composites fixed As, reducing its fluidity and the As concentration in rice. Our results show that FMCBC3 could play an important role in reducing As accumulation and increasing the grain yield and quality of rice, thus ensuring food safety in regions contaminated with As.