Silicon-nanoparticles loaded biochar for soil arsenic immobilization and alleviation of phytotoxicity in barley: Implications for human health risk

Arsenic (As)-induced environmental pollution and associated health risks are recognized on a global level. Here the impact of cotton shells derived biochar (BC) and silicon-nanoparticles loaded biochar (nano-Si-BC) was explored on soil As immobilization and its phytotoxicity in barley plants in a greenhouse study. The barley plants were grown in a sandy loam soil with varying concentrations of BC and nano-Si-BC (0, 1, and 2