Meta-Analysis of Biochar as an Amendment for Arsenic Mitigation in Paddy Soils

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar in immobilizing arsenic (As) in contaminated paddy soils and its impact on As availability and bioaccumulation in rice, as well as rice plant biomass.

Recent Findings

Recent studies have focused on managing As contamination in agricultural fields, with a particular focus on South and Southeast Asia, where rice, a primary food source and As accumulator, is of significant concern. Biochar, a product of biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a viable solution for environmental remediation due to its effectiveness in immobilizing metal(loid)s in water and soil. The successful implementation of biochar as a soil amendment strategy has led to growing interest in its use as an effective means of reducing the bioaccumulation and availability of metal(loid)s, including As.

Summary

A meta-analysis of 25 studies revealed that biochar generated from maize and sewage sludge successfully reduced As availability and bioaccumulation in rice grains. In addition, the use of biochar led to higher biomass and yield of rice crops compared to control groups. Modified biochar was more effective in decreasing As availability, likely due to interactions with iron and calcium phases or complexes occurring in or on the biochars. Nevertheless, at elevated biochar dosages, As mobilization was noted in field conditions which warrants further investigation.