ABSTRACT
High concentrations of V in soil could cause contamination, leading to adverse consequences on plants, soil and groundwater, and threatening the health of humans and animals, which is becoming a global environmental concern. Soil V is present in different fractions such as soluble, exchangeable, bound to carbonate, bound to Mn and Fe (hydr)oxides, complexed with organic matter, bound to sulfides and in non-mobile residues. The toxicity risk exists when elevated V concentrations are present in the mobile or potentially mobile fractions in soils, while the risk is low when V is in the non-mobile forms. Therefore, the immobilization of mobile toxic soil elements, including V, has been recommended as a cost-effective strategy for the remediation of contaminated soils. Biochar as a soil amendment has garnered significant attention among different immobilization techniques that can efficiently remediate contaminated soils. This chapter discusses the potential of biochar as an emergent candidate for the immobilization of V in soils and the responsible mechanisms of interaction between biochar and V in the soil. The promising production types and conditions for producing biochars with a high adsorption efficiency for V in the soil and the management of risk associated with biochar application are also discussed.
