Selenium remediation in contaminated soils using biochar amended phytoextraction

Selenium-contaminated Soil remediation could be achieved using a cost-effective technology using a combination of biochar and phytoextraction. Selenium will be uptaken from soil and accumulated in different plant species with the support of biochar amendments. The potential of phytoextraction of Salix sp. and Phleum sp. plant species in a selenium contaminated soil amended with biochar will be tested. Selenium levels and speciation in soil and plants will be assessed in order to identify the plant specie having the best selenium phytoextraction potential. The influence of Selenium chemical speciation on soil-plant transfer and phytoextraction will be assessed. Then, the efficiency of biochar in enhancing the Selenium phytoextraction from soil will be determined in order to identify the most efficient combination of plant phytoextraction amended with biochar which will later be considered for phytoremediation of Se-contaminated soils.

Faculty Supervisor:

Satinder Kaur Brar;Jean-François Blais

Student:

Partner:

Centre technologique des résidus industriels

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services; Agriculture; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université du Québec : Institut national de la recherche scientifique

Program: