Recent Development in Bioremediation of Soil Pollutants Through Biochar for Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

Soil contamination due to heavy metals has become a great concern nowadays. The main reasons for soil contamination are both natural as well as anthropogenic. Natural processes like volcanic eruption, weathering of rocks, landslides and soil erosion while anthropogenic involves several activities like smelting, mining, application of agrochemicals (pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers) and industrial wastes. Heavy metals pollution has a direct influence on the fertility of agricultural soils. The removal of heavy metals from soil is very difficult as it stored in the environment for a long time, because of its persistent nature. Several in-situ bioremediation technologies are used for removal of heavy metals from the environment. Out of that in-situ biochar application is one of the prominent technologies for remediation of heavy metals and it was found to be effective in reducing the mobility of heavy metals in soils. Biochar effectively adsorbs heavy metals and decreases bioavailability and toxin-induced stress to the biotic component of soil. In this chapter, the emphasis has been given on heavy metal pollution and types of biochar used for remediation of heavy metals from the soil and water