In the journal Chemical Engineering Journal, Hanbo Chen et al., explore a novel approach to tackle soil contamination in antimony mining regions. The study focuses on using micron-engineered phosphorus-rich biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More to reduce the mobility of toxic metalloids, enhance bacterial biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More, and improve rice quality.

Arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) contamination in agricultural soils, often a result of mining activities, poses a significant threat to both agricultural productivity and human health. Rice, a staple food for much of the world, is particularly susceptible to accumulating these toxic substances. To combat this issue, researchers developed a strategy using biochar, a carbon-rich material known for its ability to immobilize heavy metals.  

In this study, the authors created three ball-milled phosphorus-rich biochars (BMPBs) with varying biochar-to-ball mass ratios. These modified biochars demonstrated enhanced properties, including a higher specific surface area and more functional groups, compared to pristine biochar. The application of BMPBs to soil contaminated with arsenic and antimony showed promising results.   The modified biochars were effective in reducing the concentration of soil-available arsenic. Notably, one of the biochar variants, BMPB-3, also reduced soil-available antimony and significantly increased the concentration of beneficial soil microorganisms. This particular treatment was the most effective in decreasing the uptake of arsenic and antimony by rice plants, leading to a substantial reduction in the accumulation of these metalloids in rice grains.  

The study also found that BMPB treatments mitigated oxidative stress in rice roots, further demonstrating their positive impact on plant health. The results highlight the potential of BMPB-3 as a soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More for managing arsenic and antimony contamination, offering a sustainable way to improve soil health and ensure crop safety.  

SOURCE: Chen, H., Li, J., Li, M., Li, J., Sarmah, A.K., Zhang, X., Gao, Y., Fang, Z., Yang, X., Liu, Y., Chen, C., Shan, S., & Wang, H. (2025). Micron-engineered phosphorus-rich biochar: A strategy for mitigating metalloid mobility, enhancing bacterial biomass, and improving rice (Oryza sativa L.) quality in antimony mining regions. Chemical Engineering Journal, 509, 161403.