Integrated Biochar–Compost Amendment for <i>Zea mays</i> L. Phytoremediation in Soils Contaminated with Mining Tailings of Quiulacocha, Peru

This study evaluated the phytoremediation of mine tailing-contaminated soils in Quiulacocha, Peru, using the combined application of biochar and compost, with <i>Zea mays L</i>. (maize) serving as the phytoremediator due to its high biomass production and stress tolerance. A factorial ex...

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Main Authors: Paul Virú-Vasquez, Alex Pilco-Nuñez, Freddy Tineo-Cordova, César Toribio Madueño-Sulca, Teodosio Celso Quispe-Ojeda, Antonio Arroyo-Paz, Ruby Alvarez-Arteaga, Yessenia Velasquez-Zuñiga, Luis Lizardo Oscanoa-Gamarra, Juan Saldivar-Villarroel, Mary Flor Césare-Coral, Ever Nuñez-Bustamante
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1448
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author Paul Virú-Vasquez
Alex Pilco-Nuñez
Freddy Tineo-Cordova
César Toribio Madueño-Sulca
Teodosio Celso Quispe-Ojeda
Antonio Arroyo-Paz
Ruby Alvarez-Arteaga
Yessenia Velasquez-Zuñiga
Luis Lizardo Oscanoa-Gamarra
Juan Saldivar-Villarroel
Mary Flor Césare-Coral
Ever Nuñez-Bustamante
author_facet Paul Virú-Vasquez
Alex Pilco-Nuñez
Freddy Tineo-Cordova
César Toribio Madueño-Sulca
Teodosio Celso Quispe-Ojeda
Antonio Arroyo-Paz
Ruby Alvarez-Arteaga
Yessenia Velasquez-Zuñiga
Luis Lizardo Oscanoa-Gamarra
Juan Saldivar-Villarroel
Mary Flor Césare-Coral
Ever Nuñez-Bustamante
author_sort Paul Virú-Vasquez
collection DOAJ
description This study evaluated the phytoremediation of mine tailing-contaminated soils in Quiulacocha, Peru, using the combined application of biochar and compost, with <i>Zea mays L</i>. (maize) serving as the phytoremediator due to its high biomass production and stress tolerance. A factorial experimental design was implemented, varying two main factors: the mining tailings dose (30% and 60% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) and the biochar pyrolysis temperature (300 °C and 500 °C). The mine tailings were characterized by high concentrations of heavy metals and unfavourable physico-chemical properties (pH, low organic matter), whereas the biochar, produced from pine forest residues, and the compost, derived from urban organic waste, exhibited attributes that enhance soil quality. During the pot experiment, response variables including the Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and Translocation Factor (TF) for various metals were evaluated to assess the capacity for contaminant immobilization and their distribution between plant roots and aerial tissues. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of biochar and compost significantly improved soil quality by increasing pH, cation exchange capacity, and nutrient retention, while simultaneously reducing the bioavailability of heavy metals and limiting their translocation to the aerial parts of maize. Factorial analysis further indicated that both the tailings dose and biochar pyrolysis temperature significantly influenced the efficacy of the phytoremediation process. In conclusion, the combined application of biochar and compost presents an effective and sustainable strategy for rehabilitating mine tailing-contaminated soils by stabilizing heavy metals and promoting the safe growth of <i>Zea mays</i> L.
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spelling doaj-art-b391536adb85459f82d40a2ab7cab0352025-08-20T03:14:46ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-05-011410144810.3390/plants14101448Integrated Biochar–Compost Amendment for <i>Zea mays</i> L. Phytoremediation in Soils Contaminated with Mining Tailings of Quiulacocha, PeruPaul Virú-Vasquez0Alex Pilco-Nuñez1Freddy Tineo-Cordova2César Toribio Madueño-Sulca3Teodosio Celso Quispe-Ojeda4Antonio Arroyo-Paz5Ruby Alvarez-Arteaga6Yessenia Velasquez-Zuñiga7Luis Lizardo Oscanoa-Gamarra8Juan Saldivar-Villarroel9Mary Flor Césare-Coral10Ever Nuñez-Bustamante11Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources, Universidad Nacional del Callao, Callao 07011, PeruFaculty of Chemical and Textile Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima 15024, PeruFaculty of Chemical and Textile Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima 15024, PeruFaculty of Chemical and Textile Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima 15024, PeruFaculty of Environmental Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima 15024, PeruFacultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima 15024, PeruFacultad de Ingeniería Geológica y Metalúrgica, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, PeruFacultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, PeruPrograma de Investigación Formativa, Universidad César Vallejo, Lima 15024, PeruFacultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional de Cañete, Lima 15024, PeruFaculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15024, PeruFaculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota, Chota 06121, PeruThis study evaluated the phytoremediation of mine tailing-contaminated soils in Quiulacocha, Peru, using the combined application of biochar and compost, with <i>Zea mays L</i>. (maize) serving as the phytoremediator due to its high biomass production and stress tolerance. A factorial experimental design was implemented, varying two main factors: the mining tailings dose (30% and 60% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) and the biochar pyrolysis temperature (300 °C and 500 °C). The mine tailings were characterized by high concentrations of heavy metals and unfavourable physico-chemical properties (pH, low organic matter), whereas the biochar, produced from pine forest residues, and the compost, derived from urban organic waste, exhibited attributes that enhance soil quality. During the pot experiment, response variables including the Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and Translocation Factor (TF) for various metals were evaluated to assess the capacity for contaminant immobilization and their distribution between plant roots and aerial tissues. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of biochar and compost significantly improved soil quality by increasing pH, cation exchange capacity, and nutrient retention, while simultaneously reducing the bioavailability of heavy metals and limiting their translocation to the aerial parts of maize. Factorial analysis further indicated that both the tailings dose and biochar pyrolysis temperature significantly influenced the efficacy of the phytoremediation process. In conclusion, the combined application of biochar and compost presents an effective and sustainable strategy for rehabilitating mine tailing-contaminated soils by stabilizing heavy metals and promoting the safe growth of <i>Zea mays</i> L.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1448biocharcompostmine tailingsphytoremediation<i>Zea mays</i> L.
spellingShingle Paul Virú-Vasquez
Alex Pilco-Nuñez
Freddy Tineo-Cordova
César Toribio Madueño-Sulca
Teodosio Celso Quispe-Ojeda
Antonio Arroyo-Paz
Ruby Alvarez-Arteaga
Yessenia Velasquez-Zuñiga
Luis Lizardo Oscanoa-Gamarra
Juan Saldivar-Villarroel
Mary Flor Césare-Coral
Ever Nuñez-Bustamante
Integrated Biochar–Compost Amendment for <i>Zea mays</i> L. Phytoremediation in Soils Contaminated with Mining Tailings of Quiulacocha, Peru
Plants
biochar
compost
mine tailings
phytoremediation
<i>Zea mays</i> L.
title Integrated Biochar–Compost Amendment for <i>Zea mays</i> L. Phytoremediation in Soils Contaminated with Mining Tailings of Quiulacocha, Peru
title_full Integrated Biochar–Compost Amendment for <i>Zea mays</i> L. Phytoremediation in Soils Contaminated with Mining Tailings of Quiulacocha, Peru
title_fullStr Integrated Biochar–Compost Amendment for <i>Zea mays</i> L. Phytoremediation in Soils Contaminated with Mining Tailings of Quiulacocha, Peru
title_full_unstemmed Integrated Biochar–Compost Amendment for <i>Zea mays</i> L. Phytoremediation in Soils Contaminated with Mining Tailings of Quiulacocha, Peru
title_short Integrated Biochar–Compost Amendment for <i>Zea mays</i> L. Phytoremediation in Soils Contaminated with Mining Tailings of Quiulacocha, Peru
title_sort integrated biochar compost amendment for i zea mays i l phytoremediation in soils contaminated with mining tailings of quiulacocha peru
topic biochar
compost
mine tailings
phytoremediation
<i>Zea mays</i> L.
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1448
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