Summary
This experimental study assessed the remediation potential of six mineral sorbents and biochar in soils artificially contaminated with cadmium and cobalt at 100 mg kg−1. Molecular sieve and biochar proved most effective at stimulating microbial and enzymatic activity and plant biomass recovery, whilst zeolite and sepiolite also significantly enhanced enzyme activity. The findings suggest that material selection is critical for effective heavy metal remediation and soil function restoration.
UK applicability
The remediation approaches evaluated may have limited direct applicability to UK farming practice, as the study was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions with artificially spiked contamination rather than in field settings with naturally occurring or legacy heavy metal pollution.
Key measures
Soil microbiome composition, activity of seven soil enzymes (including dehydrogenases), Helianthus annuus L. biomass and chlorophyll synthesis, in response to Co2+ and Cd2+ contamination at 100 mg kg−1 d.m.
Outcomes reported
The study evaluated the effectiveness of six sorbent materials (molecular sieve, expanded clay, halloysite, zeolite, sepiolite, and biochar) in remediating soil contaminated with cadmium and cobalt by measuring impacts on soil microbiota, enzyme activity, and sunflower biomass production.
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