Transformation behaviors and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals during resource recovery from Sedum plumbizincicola via hydrothermal liquefaction

Highlights: • Transformation of heavy metals in HTL of S. plumbizincicola was investigated. • HTL significantly reduced environmental risk levels of Cd, Zn and As. • Prolonged HTL facilitated immobilization of Cd, Cr and As in hydrochars. • Fast liquefaction favored Pb stabilization in hydrochars. • Low temperature with short reaction time prevented the leaching of Zn and As. Environmentally sound disposal of hyperaccumulator harvests is of critical importance to industrialization of phytoremediation. Herein, transformation behaviors and environmental risk of heavy metals were comprehensively examined during subcritical hydrothermal liquefaction of Sedum plumbizincicola. It is concluded that low temperature liquefaction favored resource recovery of heavy oil and hydrochars in terms of higher energy density, improved carbon sequestration and less energy consumption. Heavy metals were mainly distributed into hydrochars and water soluble phase with less than 10% in heavy oil. All metal elements except As could be accumulated in hydrochars by extending reaction time, whereas more than 96% of As was redistributed into water soluble phase. Prolonged liquefaction time facilitated immobilization of Cd, Cr and As in hydrochars, but fast liquefaction favored Pb stabilization. Liquefaction significantly reduced environmental risk level of Cd, Zn and As, but may mobilize Pb and Mn, especially for Mn to very high risk level at 240 ºC. High temperature with long reaction time tended to inhibit leaching rate of Mn, whereas low liquefaction temperature with short reaction time prevented the leaching of Zn and As from hydrochars. Overall, these findings are essential for downstream upgrading of heavy oil and metals recovery from hydrochars.