Assessment of the application of two amendments (lime and biochar) on the acidification and bioavailability of Ni in a Ni-contaminated agricultural soils of northern Colombia

Soil acidification and increased bioavailability of Ni are problems that affect agricultural soils. This study aims to compare the effects of both lime and biochar from corn stover in soil acidity correction, improving soil physicochemical properties and soil re-acidification resistance. As well as assesseing the impacts on human health risk caused by bioavailability of nickel. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted for 30 days to determine the effect of biochar and lime on soil physicochemical properties and nickel bioavailability. Afterwards, a laboratory test was carried out to determine the repercussions of both amendments on soil resistance to re-acidification and re-mobilization of nickel. Human health risk was determined using nickle bioavailable concentration. Overall, the results of this study showed that biochar application significantly reduced soil acidity from 8.2 ± 0.8 meq 100 g(−1) to 1.9 ± 0.3 meq 100 g(−1), this reduction markedly influenced the bioavailability of nickel, which decreased significantly. Moreover, soil physicochemical properties and soil resistance to acidification were improved. Furthermore, biochar significantly reduced human health risk compared to lime application, even under a re-acidification scenario. It was possible to verify that Ni immobilization in the soil was increased when biochar was used. Soil Ni immobilization is associated with co-precipitation and chemisorption. Hence, it was demonstrated that biochar is more effective than lime in reducing soil acidity and remedying nickel-contaminated agricultural soils.