The formation of iron plaque and its
ability to sequestrate contaminant metals is influenced by soil contents and soil amendments. It was reported that both formation of
iron plaque and iron plaque adsorbed Cd increases with increasing
Fe amendment, though the proportion of iron plaque adsorbed Cd
decreases when Cd levels in soil are enhanced (Liu et al., 2008).
Sequestration of Zn in iron plaque was reported to be significant
under field conditions, but not in nutrient solution cultures (Ye
et al., 1998). It is expected that biochar-amendments may also
influence iron plaque formation and thereby the sorption, mobility
and plant translocation of heavy metals. This present study is the
first to investigate this potential influence of biochar.