Effect of vermicompost and biochar amendments on uptake of heavy metals, micro and macroelements by Sedum Plumbizincicola

Abstract

Comparative research on the impact of organic amendments on the uptake of heavy metals and micro and macroelements of Sedum Plumbizincicola has been carried out. Experiments have been implemented in controlled conditions. The soil used in this experiment was sampled from the vicinity of the Non-Ferrous Metals Work near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The pot experiment was a randomised complete block design containing five treatments and three replications (15 pots). The treatments consisted of a control (no organic amendments) and vermicompost and biochar amendments (added at 5% and 10%, respectively, recalculated based on dry soil weight). Applying organic additives to the soil influences the physicochemical properties. It leads to increased organic matter, electrical conductivity and content of macroelements (P, K, Ca and Mg) and microelements (Fe, Mn, Zn) in the soil. Applying organic additives to the soil affects the uptake of heavy metals and micro and macro elements by Sedum Plumbizincicola. Organic additives affect yield, influenced by the type of additive and dose. Cd and Zn yields were up to 3 times higher in the variant with 10% vermicompost application. Application of 10% biochar resulted in a negligible increase. Keywords: phytoextraction, organic amendments, contaminated soils, Sedum Plumbizincicola