Effect of montmorillonite biochar composite amendment on thallium bioavailability in contaminated agricultural soils and its mitigated health risk.

Little information is available on the effect of clay minerals and biochar composite on the remediation and bioavailability of thallium in agricultural soils. This study thus investigated the influence of montmorillonite biochar composite (Mnt-BC) amendment on the remediation of agricultural soil contaminated artificially by Tl and its potential health risks. Herein, bok choi was cultured to estimate the efficiency of soil Mnt-BC amendments through the bioavailability of Tl of the vegetable. Results showed that Tl bioavailability was significantly reduced in Mnt-BC-amended soils, mainly ascribed to the elevated soil pH and other improved soil properties of high functional groups (-OH, -COOH), negative charges, and exchangeable cations after amendment. Specifically, the highest immobilization efficiency of Tl in soils was observed in 2.5% treated soils with 79.11%, while in plant leaves the highest reduction of Tl was estimated to be 75.1% compared to the control treatment. Hence, the amendment dosage improved the immobilization of Tl in soil and subsequently reduced Tl uptake by the vegetable. Furthermore, from target hazard quotient (THQ) estimation, Mnt-BC amendment can lower the potential health risk while consuming such cultured bok choi in Tl-contaminated soils. Considering the environmental friendliness and high efficiency of Mnt-BC, it could be used as a potential soil amendment to remediate agricultural soils contaminated by Tl.