RESEARCH PROJECT
Biochar as a metal trap in soil – mechanisms, modelling and ageing
KEY POINTS- biochar
- metal
- soil
Updated: February 2026
Project overview
Project start:
January 2021
Project manager:
Carin Sjostedt
Funded by:
VR-Swedish Research Council
Cooperators:
Participants
Research groups:
Additional info
More related research
Short summary
Biochar is often used as a soil amendment in metal contaminated soils for its ability to bind metals. However, the exact binding mechanisms are often unknown and it is unsure how long the binding lasts in the field. This project examines this using advanced experimental methods and modelling.
Aims:
- Quantify the organic functional groups of the biochar that contribute to metal complexation
- Determine the binding strength of Cu, Pb and Zn to biochar
- Determine the speciation of Cu, Pb, and Zn bound to biochar using X-ray absorption spectroscopy
- Calibrate a mechanistic model for the organic functional groups of the biochar as regards proton and metal binding
- Determine the solid-phase speciation of Cu, Pb and Zn in a contaminated soil amended with biochar over a 5-year period
- Test the mechanistic model on this soil amended with biochar using an assemblage model approach