Combining biochar and zerovalent iron (BZVI) as a paddy field soil amendment for heavy cadmium (Cd) contamination decreases Cd but increases zinc and iron concentrations in rice grains: a field-scale evaluation

Consuming rice grown in contaminated soil that has an elevated level of cadmium (Cd) is a health risk. This study revealed that using a combination of biochar and zerovalent iron (BZVI) reduces the concentration of Cd and enhances that of the essential elements zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in rice. The Cd concentration in brown rice grain cultivated in an untreated paddy was 0.84 ± 0.20 mg kg−1, double the acceptable level (0.4 mg kg−1). Soil...