I have to perform a research study related to test the efficacy of the biochar on soil remediation.
I have prepared a biochar from some organic feed stock using slow pyrolisis at 300, 500 and 700 celcuis temperatures.
I have also got some soil sample from a agricultural site which are contaminated with certain heavy metals. (e.g Pb, Cu, Ni, Fe). the soil is NOT spiked with heavy metals by me.
I want to test how efficient my prepared biochar is in stopping these heavy metals from leaching into water cycle. (i.e I want to immobilize the heavy metals and retain them in the soil.)
I want to set up the column experiment to test this. I have few questions regarding this.
Where can I get the correct way to set up these?
1) How much biochar should I add w/w? 5% or 10 % or 2 %?
2) should i use deionized water or distilled water?
3) should i put water in the column equal to the pore volume? or any other standard given?
Thank You for your elaborate answer. It gave me new insights. its true I am no expert but rather a Lay man.
The objective of this study is just to determine whether the biochar I produced is effective in immobilization of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Fe and Cu) or not.
I have planned the experiment like this.
I will fill 4 total columns with contaminated (40 g) soil. In 3( for triplicate results) columns I will also add biochar 5% w/w. the fourth column will be blank (0% biochar)
Then I will pour de ionized water and collect the drained water.
i will perform AAS to compare the concentration of the above said heavy metals in the blank soil solution vs the biochar applied soil solution.
This way I will compare if my biochar is effective or not.
If you can suggest any improvements in this then I will be truly grateful
You can download and check OECD Test No. 312: Leaching in Soil Columns. This might help you answer some of your questions in setting up your experiment.
Link: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/environment/test-no-312-leaching-in-soil-columns_9789264070561-en
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