Biochar (BC) boasts diverse environmental applications. However, its potential for environmental biomonitoring has, surprisingly, remained largely unexplored. This study presents a preliminary analysis of BC’s potential as a biomonitor for the environmental availability of ionic Cd, utilizing the lichen Evernia prunastri L. (Ach.) as a reference organism. For this purpose, the lichen E. prunastri and two types of wood-derived biochar, biochar 1 (BC1) and biochar 2 (BC2), obtained from two anonymous producers, were investigated for their ability to accumulate, or sequester and subsequently release, Cd when exposed to Cd-depleted conditions. Samples of lichen and biochar (fractions between 2 and 4 mm) were soaked for 1 h in a solution containing deionized water (control), 10 μM, and 100 μM Cd2+ (accumulation phase). Then, 50% of the treated samples were soaked for 24 h in deionized water (depuration phase). The lichen showed a very good ability to adsorb ionic Cd, higher than the two biochar samples (more than 46.5%), and a weak ability to release the metal (ca. 6%). As compared to the lichen, BC2 showed a lower capacity for Cd accumulation (−48%) and release (ca. 3%). BC1, on the other hand, showed a slightly higher Cd accumulation capacity than BC2 (+3.6%), but a release capacity similar to that of the lichen (ca. 5%). The surface area and the cation exchange capacity of the organism and the tested materials seem to play a key role in their ability to accumulate and sequester Cd, respectively. This study suggests the potential use of BC as a (bio)monitor for the presence of PTEs in atmospheric depositions and, perhaps, water bodies.

Accumulation and Release of Cadmium Ions in the Lichen Evernia prunastri L. (Ach.) and Wood-Derived Biochar: Implication for the Use of Biochar for Environmental Biomonitoring / Vannini, A; Pagano, L; Bartoli, M; Fedeli, R; Malcevschi, A; Sidoli, M; Magnani, G; Pontiroli, D; Riccò, M; Marmiroli, M; Petraglia, A; Loppi, S. - In: TOXICS. - ISSN 2305-6304. - (2024). [10.3390/toxics12010066]

Accumulation and Release of Cadmium Ions in the Lichen Evernia prunastri L. (Ach.) and Wood-Derived Biochar: Implication for the Use of Biochar for Environmental Biomonitoring

Vannini A
;
Pagano L;Bartoli M;Malcevschi A;Sidoli M;Magnani G;Pontiroli D;Riccò M;Marmiroli M;Petraglia A;
2024-01-01

Abstract

Biochar (BC) boasts diverse environmental applications. However, its potential for environmental biomonitoring has, surprisingly, remained largely unexplored. This study presents a preliminary analysis of BC’s potential as a biomonitor for the environmental availability of ionic Cd, utilizing the lichen Evernia prunastri L. (Ach.) as a reference organism. For this purpose, the lichen E. prunastri and two types of wood-derived biochar, biochar 1 (BC1) and biochar 2 (BC2), obtained from two anonymous producers, were investigated for their ability to accumulate, or sequester and subsequently release, Cd when exposed to Cd-depleted conditions. Samples of lichen and biochar (fractions between 2 and 4 mm) were soaked for 1 h in a solution containing deionized water (control), 10 μM, and 100 μM Cd2+ (accumulation phase). Then, 50% of the treated samples were soaked for 24 h in deionized water (depuration phase). The lichen showed a very good ability to adsorb ionic Cd, higher than the two biochar samples (more than 46.5%), and a weak ability to release the metal (ca. 6%). As compared to the lichen, BC2 showed a lower capacity for Cd accumulation (−48%) and release (ca. 3%). BC1, on the other hand, showed a slightly higher Cd accumulation capacity than BC2 (+3.6%), but a release capacity similar to that of the lichen (ca. 5%). The surface area and the cation exchange capacity of the organism and the tested materials seem to play a key role in their ability to accumulate and sequester Cd, respectively. This study suggests the potential use of BC as a (bio)monitor for the presence of PTEs in atmospheric depositions and, perhaps, water bodies.
2024
Accumulation and Release of Cadmium Ions in the Lichen Evernia prunastri L. (Ach.) and Wood-Derived Biochar: Implication for the Use of Biochar for Environmental Biomonitoring / Vannini, A; Pagano, L; Bartoli, M; Fedeli, R; Malcevschi, A; Sidoli, M; Magnani, G; Pontiroli, D; Riccò, M; Marmiroli, M; Petraglia, A; Loppi, S. - In: TOXICS. - ISSN 2305-6304. - (2024). [10.3390/toxics12010066]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2968393
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