Comprehensive effects of biochar-assisted nitrogen and phosphorus bioremediation on hydrocarbon removal and microecological improvement in petroleum-contaminated soil

Xuhong Zhang; Manli Wu; Zeliang Liu; Yawen Ou; Ting Zhang; Mengqi Li

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131852

Comprehensive effects of biochar-assisted nitrogen and phosphorus bioremediation on hydrocarbon removal and microecological improvement in petroleum-contaminated soil

Bioresour Technol. 2024 Nov 20:131852. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131852. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xuhong Zhang¹, Manli Wu², Zeliang Liu¹, Yawen Ou¹, Ting Zhang¹, Mengqi Li¹

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering of Shaanxi Province, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resources, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an 710055, China.
² Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering of Shaanxi Province, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resources, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an 710055, China. Electronic address: 447005853@qq.com.

PMID: 39577780
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131852

Abstract

Biochar is widely used in agricultural soils, but its effects with nitrogen and phosphorus amendments on petroleum-contaminated soil are unclear. This study investigated biochar-assisted biostimulation in a microcosm experiment, focusing on hydrocarbon degradation, nitrogen cycling, and soil properties. Compared to the biostimulation alone (BS), biochar combined biostimulation (BSC) significantly enhanced the abundances of petroleum hydrocarbon degraders including Lysobacter and Brevundimonas, which led to a 17% increase in total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation, with 9% and 39% enhancements in saturated hydrocarbon degradation and aromatic hydrocarbon fraction degradation, respectively. Biochar also promoted ammonia and nitrous oxide oxidation by upregulating AOA, AOB, norB, and nosZ genes, while controlling nitrogen loss by downregulating nirK. Soil moisture, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), dehydrogenase activity (SDHA), and microbial proliferation were significantly enhanced. Structural equation models (SEM) indicated synergistic interactions between nitrogen cycling and hydrocarbon degradation. Biochar enhances hydrocarbon degradation and nitrogen cycling, offering a promising soil remediation approach.

Keywords: Biochar assisted biostimulation; Functional genes; Microbial community analysis; Nitrogen cycling; Petroleum-polluted soil; Soil environment.