Comparative analysis biochar and compost-induced degradation of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in soils

Abstract

In recent years, biochar has been extensively studied as a sorbent for immobilizing contaminants and minimizing their bioavailability in soils. Few studies have been conducted to evaluate the interactions between biochar and compost in soils and their impact on degradation of organic contaminants. In the present study, soils with high organic carbon content (HOC) and low organic carbon content (LOC) were spiked with 100mg·kg^-1 di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) amended with biochar derived from dead pigs, bamboo, and composted sheep manure. The soils were thereafter incubated for 112days at 25°C and periodically sampled for monitoring DEHP concentrations. Degradation of DEHP was described by a logistic model. Results showed that the initial degradation rates were slow, but accelerated after 14days of incubation. The DEHP degradation rates were higher in the HOC soils than in the LOC soils over the incubation period. The half-lives of DEHP were shorter in the LOC soils treated with pig biochar, and bamboo/pig biochar plus compost than in the untreated soil. However, there was no significant difference in the half-lives of DEHP in the HOC control and treated soils. The differential effects of soil amendments on DEHP degradation between LOC and HOC soils could be explained by the properties of the organic amendments, soil pH and the organic carbon contents of the soils.

Keywords: Decomposition; Incubation; Organic amendments; Soil contamination.