1.  Introduction:

One of the growing environmental concerns in the development of agricultural soils is contamination with the heavy metals that is of great environmental and health concern worldwide. The occurrence of heavy metal in soil presents a tremendous threat to both the ecological health and the growth and development of plants and hence yield of agriculture. The effect of rapid industrialization, urban sprawl, and indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals has greatly promoted the high levels of toxic metals including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), and mercury (Hg) in the soil (Alloway, 2013). These metals are easily absorbed in the plants (especially the leafy vegetables) and they accumulate in the edible tissues, which can greatly affect human health via the food chain.

Biomass pyrolysis product is called biochar that is porous in structure and has a high surface area and is known to have the potential to reduce the bioavailability and mobility of heavy metals in the soil. The use of biochar reduced the consumption of metals in a day and the risk index of human health values thereby relieving the health risk (Alam et al., 2021). This immobilization does not only prevent transport of toxic metals to plants and ground water, but also revitalizes a degraded soil by enhancing nutrient storage capacity, microbial activities, water holding capacity, etc. (Biederman & Stanley Harpole, 2013). Thus, this study aims to assess the role of biochar in the reduction of the uptake of toxic heavy metals on vegetable crops that will ensure the food safety, focusing on increasing concern about industrial as well as agricultural soil pollution. This study is a step towards ecologically safe practice because it helps minimize soil and water pollution, facilitate the production of a cleaner product, and strengthen the long-term soil recovery, relating with the global environmental agenda such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mainly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2.  Objectives:

The objectives of this study are: