1
|
Yang X, Hou R, Fu Q, Li T, Li M, Cui S, Li Q, Liu M. A critical review of biochar as an environmental functional material in soil ecosystems for migration and transformation mechanisms and ecological risk assessment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 360:121196. [PMID: 38763117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
At present, biochar has a large application potential in soil amelioration, pollution remediation, carbon sequestration and emission reduction, and research on the effect of biochar on soil ecology and environment has made positive progress. However, under natural and anthropogenic perturbations, biochar may undergo a series of environmental behaviors such as migratory transformation, mineralization and decomposition, and synergistic transport, thus posing certain potential risks. This paper outlines the multi-interfacial migration pathway of biochar in "air-soil-plant-animal-water", and analyzes the migration process and mechanism at different interfaces during the preparation, transportation and application of biochar. The two stages of the biochar mineralization process (mineralization of easily degradable aliphatic carbon components in the early stage and mineralization of relatively stable aromatic carbon components in the later stage) were described, the self-influencing factors and external environmental factors of biochar mineralization were analyzed, and the mineral stabilization mechanism and positive/negative excitation effects of biochar into the soil were elucidated. The proximity between field natural and artificially simulated aging of biochar were analyzed, and the change of its properties showed a trend of biological aging > chemical aging > physical aging > natural aging, and in order to improve the simulation and prediction, the artificially simulated aging party needs to be changed from a qualitative method to a quantitative method. The technical advantages, application scope and potential drawbacks of different biochar modification methods were compared, and biological modification can create new materials with enhanced environmental application. The stability performance of modified biochar was compared, indicating that raw materials, pyrolysis temperature and modification method were the key factors affecting the stability of biochar. The potential risks to the soil environment from different pollutants carried by biochar were summarized, the levels of pollutants released from biochar in the soil environment were highlighted, and a comprehensive selection of ecological risk assessment methods was suggested in terms of evaluation requirements, data acquisition and operation difficulty. Dynamic tracing of migration decomposition behavior, long-term assessment of pollution remediation effects, and directional design of modified composite biochar materials were proposed as scientific issues worthy of focused attention. The results can provide a certain reference basis for the theoretical research and technological development of biochar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Yang
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Water Conservancy Engineering in Cold Region, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China
| | - Renjie Hou
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Water Conservancy Engineering in Cold Region, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Water Conservancy Engineering in Cold Region, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China.
| | - Tianxiao Li
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Water Conservancy Engineering in Cold Region, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China.
| | - Mo Li
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Water Conservancy Engineering in Cold Region, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China
| | - Song Cui
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Water Conservancy Engineering in Cold Region, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China
| | - Qinglin Li
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Water Conservancy Engineering in Cold Region, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China
| | - Mingxuan Liu
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Water Conservancy Engineering in Cold Region, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Farru G, Cappai G, Carucci A, De Gioannis G, Asunis F, Milia S, Muntoni A, Perra M, Serpe A. A cascade biorefinery for grape marc: Recovery of materials and energy through thermochemical and biochemical processes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 846:157464. [PMID: 35868380 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The agro-industrial sector makes a high contribution to greenhouse gas emissions; therefore, proper waste management is crucial to reduce the carbon footprint of the food chain. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising and flexible thermochemical process for converting organic materials into energy and added-value products that can be used in different applications. In this work, grape marc residues before and after an extraction process for recovering polyphenols were hydrothermally treated at 220 °C for 1 h. The resulting hydrochar and process water were investigated to test an innovative cascade approach aimed at a multiple product and energy recovery based on the integration of HTC with anaerobic digestion. The results show that this biorefinery approach applied to grape marc could allow to diversify and integrate its potential valorisation options. The produced hydrochars possess an increased fixed carbon content compared to the feedstock (up to +70 %) and, therefore, can be used in soil, immobilizing carbon in a stable form and partially replacing peat in growing media (up to 5 % in case of hydrochar from grape marc after extraction), saving the consumption of this natural substrate. In addition, energy can be recovered from both hydrochar by combustion and from process water through anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. Hydrochars show good properties as solid fuel similar to lignite, with an energy content of around 27 MJ kg-1 (+30 % compared to the feedstock). The anaerobic digestion of the process water allowed obtaining up to 137 mL of biomethane per gram of fed COD. Finally, while HTC process waters are suitable for biological treatment, attention must be paid to the presence of inhibiting compounds that induce acute toxic effects in aerobic conditions. The proposed approach is consistent with the principles of circular economy and could increase the overall sustainability and resilience of the agro-industrial sector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Farru
- DICAAR - Department of Civil - Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Cappai
- DICAAR - Department of Civil - Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; IGAG-CNR - Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Carucci
- DICAAR - Department of Civil - Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; IGAG-CNR - Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giorgia De Gioannis
- DICAAR - Department of Civil - Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; IGAG-CNR - Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabiano Asunis
- DICAAR - Department of Civil - Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Stefano Milia
- IGAG-CNR - Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Aldo Muntoni
- DICAAR - Department of Civil - Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; IGAG-CNR - Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Matteo Perra
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, Cagliari 09124, Italy
| | - Angela Serpe
- DICAAR - Department of Civil - Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; IGAG-CNR - Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Persson T, Rueda-Ayala V. Phosphorus retention and agronomic efficiency of refined manure-based digestate—A review. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.993043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Digestate, a by-product from anaerobic digestion of organic materials such as animal manure, is considered a suitable plant fertilizer. However, due to its bulkiness and low economic value, it is costly to transport over long distances and store for long periods. Refinement processes to valorize digestate and facilitate its handling as a fertilizer include precipitation of phosphorus-rich mineral compounds, such as struvite and calcium phosphates, membrane filtration methods that concentrate plant nutrients in organic products, and carbonization processes. However, phosphorus retention efficiency in output products from these processes can vary considerably depending on technological settings and characteristics of the digestate feedstock. The effects of phosphorus in plant fertilizers (including those analogous or comparable to refined digestate products) on agronomic productivity have been evaluated in multiple experiments. In this review, we synthesized knowledge about different refinement methods for manure-based digestate as a means to produce phosphorus fertilizers, thereby providing the potential to increase phosphorus retention in the food production chain, by combining information about phosphorus flows in digestate refinement studies and agronomic fertilizer studies. It was also sought to identify the range, uncertainty, and potential retention efficiency by agricultural crops of the original phosphorus amount in manure-based digestate. Refinement chains with solid/wet phase separation followed by struvite or calcium phosphate precipitation or membrane filtration of the wet phase and carbonization treatments of the solid phase were included. Several methods with high potential to extract phosphorus from manure-based wet phase digestate in such a way that it could be used as an efficient plant fertilizer were identified, with struvite precipitation being the most promising method. Synthesis of results from digestate refinement studies and agronomic fertilizer experiments did not support the hypothesis that solid/wet separation followed by struvite precipitation, or any other refinement combination, results in higher phosphorus retention than found for unrefined digestate. Further studies are needed on the use of the phosphorus in the solid phase digestate, primarily on phosphorus-rich soils representative of animal-dense regions, to increase understanding of the role of digestate refinement (particularly struvite precipitation) in phosphorus recycling in agricultural systems.
Collapse
|