Spectroscopic and chemical properties of biochar and water treatment residual nanoparticles and their effects on canola growth and biological activity

Abstract Nanotechnology is a promising science in the development and improvement of soil, raising its production capacity and recycling waste in a hastily manner. This study aims to investigate the properties of some recycled nanomaterials and their effect on the biological activity and productivity of canola in degraded soils. Measuring the spectroscopic and chemical properties of nanomaterials such as biochar (nB) and water treatment residuals (nWTR) and adding them at different rates to the degraded soil. The results showed that the FTIR and XRD spectra of nWTR and nB contain many functional groups (such as C = O, OH, C = C, C-H, Si-O-Al, and Si-O-Si) and minerals. Zeta potential of the nB and nWTR was − 31.08 mV and − 65.25 mV, respectively. Addition of nB or nWTR at different rates significantly improved canola yield. Seed weight of canola plant increased with increasing nB rate by more than 64%, while it decreased with increasing nWTR rate. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and the activity of dehydrogenase (DHA) and catalase (CLA) increased significantly in the treated pots with the addition of nB and nWTR at different rates. Our results suggested the possibility of adding reused materials in the form of nanomaterials to the degraded soils, which would have the ability to improve their properties and increase their yield.