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Sustainable Approach and Safe Use of Biochar and Its Possible Consequences. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su131810362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Biochar is considered as a potential substitute for soil organic matter (SOM). Considering the importance of biochar, the present review is based on the different benefits and potential risks of the application of biochar to the soil. Biochar addition to low organic carbon soils can act as a feasible solution to keep soil biologically active for the cycling of different nutrients. The application of biochar could improve soil fertility, increase crop yield, enhance plant growth and microbial abundance, and immobilize different contaminants in the soil. It could also be helpful in carbon sequestration and the return of carbon stock back to the soil in partially combusted form. Due to the large surface area of biochar, which generally depends upon the types of feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, it helps to reduce the leaching of fertilizers from the soil and supplies additional nutrients to growing crops. However, biochar may have some adverse effects due to emissions during the pyrolysis process, but it exerts a positive priming effect (a phenomenon in which subjection to one stimulus positively influences subsequent stimulus) on SOM decomposition, depletion of nutrients (macro- and micro-) via strong adsorption, and impact on soil physicochemical properties. In view of the above importance and limitations, all possible issues related to biochar application should be considered. The review presents extensive detailed information on the sustainable approach for the environmental use of biochar and its limitations.
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Zhou L, Li P, Zhang M, Han B, Chu C, Su X, Li B, Kang H, Ning J, Zhang B, Ma S, Su D, Pang Y, Niu Y, Zhang R. Carbon black nanoparticles induce pulmonary fibrosis through NLRP3 inflammasome pathway modulated by miR-96 targeted FOXO3a. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 241:125075. [PMID: 31683435 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Carbon black nanoparticle (CBNP) is a core constituent of air pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as well as a common manufactural material. It was proved to pose adverse effects on lung function and even provoke pulmonary fibrosis. However, the underlying mechanisms of CBNPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of fibrotic effects caused by CBNPs in rat lung and human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells. Forty-nine male rats were randomly subjected to 7 groups, means the 14-day exposure group (30 mg/m3), the 28-day exposure groups (5 mg/m3 and 30 mg/m3), the 90-day exposure group (30 mg/m3) and their respective controls. Rats were nose-only-inhaled CBNPs. 16HBE cells were treated with 0, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL CBNPs respectively for 24 h. Besides, Forkhead transcription factor class O (FOXO)3a and miR-96 overexpression or suppression 16HBE cells were established to reveal relative mechanisms. Our results suggested CBNPs induced pulmonary fibrosis in time- and dose-dependent manners. CBNPs induced persisting inflammation in rat lung as observed by histopathology and cytology analyses in whole lung lavage fluid (WLL). Both in vivo and in vitro, CBNPs exposure significantly increased the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, accompanied by the increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased miR-96 and increased FOXO3a expressions dose -and time-dependently. MiR-96 overexpression or FOXO3a suppression could partially rescue the fibrotic effects through inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome. Conclusively, our research show that CBNPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis was at least partially depended on activation of NLRP3 inflammasome which modulated by miR-96 targeting FOXO3a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixiao Zhou
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Peiyuan Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Mengyue Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Bin Han
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Chen Chu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Xuan Su
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Binghua Li
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Hui Kang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Jie Ning
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Boyuan Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Shitao Ma
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Dong Su
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Yaxian Pang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Yujie Niu
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China.
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Hamatui N, Naidoo RN, Kgabi N. Respiratory health effects of occupational exposure to charcoal dust in Namibia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2016; 22:240-248. [PMID: 27687528 DOI: 10.1080/10773525.2016.1214795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Charcoal processing activities can increase the risk of adverse respiratory outcomes. OBJECTIVE To determine dose-response relationships between occupational exposure to charcoal dust, respiratory symptoms and lung function among charcoal-processing workers in Namibia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with 307 workers from charcoal factories in Namibia. All respondents completed interviewer-administered questionnaires. Spirometry was performed, ambient and respirable dust levels were assessed in different work sections. Multiple logistic regression analysis estimated the overall effect of charcoal dust exposure on respiratory outcomes, while linear regression estimated the exposure-related effect on lung function. Workers were stratified according to cumulative dust exposure category. RESULTS Exposure to respirable charcoal dust levels was above occupational exposure limits in most sectors, with packing and weighing having the highest dust exposure levels (median 27.7 mg/m3, range: 0.2-33.0 for the 8-h time-weighted average). The high cumulative dust exposure category was significantly associated with usual cough (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-4.0), usual phlegm (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-4.1), episodes of phlegm and cough (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.1-6.1), and shortness of breath. A non-statistically significant lower adjusted mean-predicted % FEV1 was observed (98.1% for male and 95.5% for female) among workers with greater exposure. CONCLUSIONS Charcoal dust levels exceeded the US OSHA recommended limit of 3.5 mg/m3 for carbon-black-containing material and study participants presented with exposure-related adverse respiratory outcomes in a dose-response manner. Our findings suggest that the Namibian Ministry of Labour introduce stronger enforcement strategies of existing national health and safety regulations within the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndinomholo Hamatui
- a Department of Health Sciences , Namibia University of Science and Technology , Windhoek , Namibia
| | - Rajen N Naidoo
- b Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Nnenesi Kgabi
- c Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Namibia University of Science and Technology , Windhoek , Namibia
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Jones DL, Quilliam RS. Metal contaminated biochar and wood ash negatively affect plant growth and soil quality after land application. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2014; 276:362-70. [PMID: 24915641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.05.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/17/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Pyrolysis or combustion of waste wood can provide a renewable source of energy and produce byproducts which can be recycled back to land. To be sustainable requires that these byproducts pose minimal threat to the environment or human health. Frequently, reclaimed waste wood is contaminated by preservative-treated timber containing high levels of heavy metals. We investigated the effect of feedstock contamination from copper-preservative treated wood on the behaviour of pyrolysis-derived biochar and combustion-derived ash in plant-soil systems. Biochar and wood ash were applied to soil at typical agronomic rates. The presence of preservative treated timber in the feedstock increased available soil Cu; however, critical Cu guidance limits were only exceeded at high rates of feedstock contamination. Negative effects on plant growth and soil quality were only seen at high levels of biochar contamination (>50% derived from preservative-treated wood). Negative effects of wood ash contamination were apparent at lower levels of contamination (>10% derived from preservative treated wood). Complete removal of preservative treated timber from wood recycling facilities is notoriously difficult and low levels of contamination are commonplace. We conclude that low levels of contamination from Cu-treated wood should pose minimal environmental risk to biochar and ash destined for land application.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Jones
- Environment Centre Wales, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - R S Quilliam
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK.
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