Analysis of Mineral Nutrients in Biochar Derived from Plants in Mining Areas

Authors

  • Bing Wang School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, 66 Wa-liu Road, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8872-9634
  • Mengke Cui School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, 66 Wa-liu Road, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
  • Jianghao Wang School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, 66 Wa-liu Road, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
  • Bo Liu School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, 66 Wa-liu Road, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
  • Shuai Wang School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, 66 Wa-liu Road, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
  • Yonggang Li Guangxi Key Laboratory of Urban Water Environment, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Baise University, Baise 533000, China
  • Xiaoqing Jia School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, 66 Wa-liu Road, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
  • Xuan Zhang School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, 66 Wa-liu Road, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
  • Zhiyu Gu School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, 66 Wa-liu Road, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
  • Kenji Ogino Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
  • Yuxian Hu School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, 66 Wa-liu Road, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China

Keywords:

Mine restoration plants, Mineral nutrients, Artemisia annua, Biochar

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a critical technique for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soils in coal gangue zones of mining areas. However, resource valorization of plant residues after heavy metal remediation poses considerable challenges. Converting these residues into biochar via thermochemical routes yields a material enriched with mineral nutrients (e.g., Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu), conferring potential as a soil amendment. This study focused on remediation plants in coal gangue-affected mining regions, selecting Artemisia annua (a typical restoration plant) to prepare biochar through pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for quantitative analysis of mineral nutrients, providing a scientific basis for resource valorization of heavy metal-laden biomass residues from mining area remediation plants. The results indicated that, except for slight Mg fluctuation in hydrothermally carbonized biochar relative to the raw material, mineral nutrient concentrations (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) in biochar prepared under other conditions were significantly enhanced (1.53 to 3.14 times via pyrolysis and 1.36 to 2.78 times via HTC). Furthermore, mineral nutrient concentrations under certain conditions complied with the Chinese agricultural industry standard for biochar (NY/T 4159-2022).

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Published

2025-12-03

How to Cite

Wang, B., Cui, M., Wang, J., Liu, B., Wang, S., Li, Y., … Hu, Y. (2025). Analysis of Mineral Nutrients in Biochar Derived from Plants in Mining Areas. BioResources, 21(1), 570–579. Retrieved from https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24953

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Research Article or Brief Communication