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Elbagory M, Shaker EM, El-Nahrawy S, Omara AED, Khalifa TH. The Concurrent Application of Phosphogypsum and Modified Biochar as Soil Amendments Influence Sandy Soil Quality and Wheat Productivity. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1492. [PMID: 38891301 PMCID: PMC11174802 DOI: 10.3390/plants13111492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Sandy soil covers a significant portion of Egypt's total land area, representing a crucial agricultural resource for future food security and economic growth. This research adopts the hypothesis of maximizing the utilization of secondary products for soil improvement to reduce ecosystem pollution. The study focuses on assessing the impact of combining phosphogypsum and modified biochar as environmentally friendly soil amendments on loamy sand soil quality parameters such as soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, nutrient levels, and wheat yield. The treatments were T1: the recommended NPK fertilizer (control); T2: 2.5 kg phosphogypsum m-2 soil; T3: 2.5 kg rice straw biochar m-2 soil; T4: 2.5 kg cotton stalk biochar m-2 soil; T5: 2.5 kg rice-straw-modified biochar m-2 soil; T6: 2.5 kg cotton-stalk-modified biochar m-2 soil; and T7 to T10: mixed phosphogypsum and biochar treatments. The results revealed that the combined use of phosphogypsum and modified cotton stalk biochar (T10) significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) by 73.66% and 99.46% in both seasons, the soil available N both seasons by 130.12 and 161.45%, the available P by 89.49% and 102.02%, and the available K by 39.84 and 70.45% when compared to the control treatment. Additionally, this treatment led to the highest grain yield of wheat (2.72 and 2.92 Mg ha-1), along with a significant increase in straw yield (52.69% and 59.32%) compared to the control treatment. Overall, the findings suggest that the combined use of phosphogypsum and modified biochar, particularly cotton-stalk biochar, holds promise for improving loamy sand-soil quality and wheat productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohssen Elbagory
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, King Khalid University, Mohail 61321, Assir, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Eman M. Shaker
- Soil Improvement and Conservation Research Department, Soils, Water, and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Giza 12112, Egypt;
| | - Sahar El-Nahrawy
- Soil Microbiology Research Department, Soils, Water, and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Giza 12112, Egypt;
| | - Alaa El-Dein Omara
- Soil Microbiology Research Department, Soils, Water, and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Giza 12112, Egypt;
| | - Tamer H. Khalifa
- Soil Improvement and Conservation Research Department, Soils, Water, and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Giza 12112, Egypt;
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Liao W, Sidhu V, Sifton MA, Margolis L, Drake JAP, Thomas SC. Biochar and vegetation effects on discharge water quality from organic-substrate green roofs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171302. [PMID: 38428607 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171302] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Green roofs have been increasingly used to improve stormwater management, but poor vegetation performance on roof systems, varying with vegetation type, can degrade discharge quality. Biochar has been suggested as an effective substrate additive for green roofs to improve plant performance and discharge quality. However, research on the effects of biochar and vegetation on discharge quality in the long term is lacking and the underlying mechanisms involved are unclear. We examined the effects of biochar amendment and vegetation on discharge quality on organic-substrate green roofs with pre-grown sedum mats and direct-seeded native plants for three years and investigated the key factors influencing discharge quality. Sedum mats reduced the leaching of nutrients and particulate matter by 6-64% relative to native plants, largely due to the higher initial vegetation cover of the former. Biochar addition to sedum mat green roofs resulted in the best integrated water quality due to enhanced plant cover and sorption effects. Structural equation modeling revealed that nutrient leaching was primarily influenced by rainfall depth, time, vegetation cover, and substrate pH. Although biochar-amended sedum mats showed better discharge quality from organic-substrate green roofs, additional ecosystem services may be provided by native plants, suggesting future research to optimize plant composition and cover and biochar properties for sustainable green roofs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Liao
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada.
| | - Virinder Sidhu
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Melanie A Sifton
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada
| | - Liat Margolis
- John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto, 1 Spadina Cres., Toronto, ON M5S 2J5, Canada
| | - Jennifer A P Drake
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Sean C Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada
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Maqbool Z, Shahbaz Farooq M, Rafiq A, Uzair M, Yousuf M, Ramzan Khan M, Huo S. Unlocking the potential of biochar in the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals for sustainable agriculture. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2024; 51:FP23257. [PMID: 38310926 DOI: 10.1071/fp23257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Agricultural soils contaminated with heavy metals (HMs) impose a threat to the environmental and to human health. Amendment with biochar could be an eco-friendly and cost-effective option to decrease HMs in contaminated soil. This paper reviews the application of biochar as a soil amendment to immobilise HMs in contaminated soil. We discuss the technologies of its preparation, their specific properties, and effect on the bioavailability of HMs. Biochar stabilises HMs in contaminated soil, enhance the overall quality of the contaminated soil, and significantly reduce HM uptake by plants, making it an option in soil remediation for HM contamination. Biochar enhances the physical (e.g. bulk density, soil structure, water holding capacity), chemical (e.g. cation exchange capacity, pH, nutrient availability, ion exchange, complexes), and biological properties (e.g. microbial abundance, enzymatic activities) of contaminated soil. Biochar also enhances soil fertility, improves plant growth, and reduces the plant availability of HMs. Various field studies have shown that biochar application reduces the bioavailability of HMs from contaminated soil while increasing crop yield. The review highlights the positive effects of biochar by reducing HM bioavailability in contaminated soils. Future work is recommended to ensure that biochars offer a safe and sustainable solution to remediate soils contaminated with HMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubaira Maqbool
- School of Food Science and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; and Department of Soil Science and Environmental Science, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahbaz Farooq
- School of Food Science and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; and Rice Research Program, Crop Sciences Institute (CSI), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Park Road, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Anum Rafiq
- Institute Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Muhammad Uzair
- National Institute of Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yousuf
- Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), G5, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ramzan Khan
- National Institute of Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shuhao Huo
- School of Food Science and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
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Kubaczyński A, Walkiewicz A, Pytlak A, Grządziel J, Gałązka A, Brzezińska M. Application of nitrogen-rich sunflower husks biochar promotes methane oxidation and increases abundance of Methylobacter in nitrogen-poor soil. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 348:119324. [PMID: 37857224 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119324] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The area of sunflower crops is steadily increasing. A beneficial way of managing sunflower waste biomass could be its use as a feedstock for biochar production. Biochar is currently being considered as an additive for improving soil parameters, including the ability to oxidise methane (CH4) - one of the key greenhouse gases (GHG). Despite the high production of sunflower husk, there is still insufficient information on the impact of sunflower husk biochar on the soil environment, especially on the methanotrophy process. To fill this knowledge gap, an experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of addition of sunflower husk biochar (produced at 450-550 °C) at a wide range of doses (1-100 Mg ha-1) to Haplic Luvisol. In the presented study, the CH4 oxidation potential of soil with and without sunflower husk biochar was investigated at 60 and 100% water holding capacity (WHC), and with the addition of 1% CH4 (v/v). The comprehensive study included GHG exchange (CH4 and CO2), physicochemical properties of soil (pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), WHC), and the structure of soil microbial communities. That study showed that even low biochar doses (5 and 10 Mg ha-1) were sufficient to enhance pH, SOC, DOC and NO3--N content. Importantly, sunflower husk biochar was significant source of NO3--N, which soil concentration increased from 9.40 ± 0.09 mg NO3--N kg-1 for the control to even 19.40 ± 0.26 mg NO3--N kg-1 (for 100 Mg ha-1). Significant improvement of WHC (by 11.0-12.4%) was observed after biochar addition at doses of 60 Mg ha-1 and higher. At 60% WHC, application of biochar at a dose of 40 Mg ha-1 brought significant improvements in CH4 oxidation rate, which was 4.89 ± 0.37 mg CH4-C kg-1 d-1. Higher biochar doses were correlated with further improvement of CH4 oxidation rates, which at 100 Mg ha-1 was seventeen-fold higher (8.36 ± 0.84 mg CH4-C kg-1 d-1) than in the biochar-free control (0.48 ± 0.28 mg CH4-C kg-1 d-1). CO2 emissions were not proportional to biochar doses and only grew circa (ca.) twofold from 3.16 to 6.90 mg CO2-C kg-1 d-1 at 100 Mg ha-1. Above 60 Mg ha-1, the diversity of methanotrophic communities increased, with Methylobacter becoming the most abundant genus, which was as high as 7.45%. This is the first, such advanced and multifaceted study of the wide range of sunflower husk biochar doses on Haplic Luvisol. The positive correlation between soil conditions, methanotroph abundance and CH4 oxidation confirmed the multifaceted, positive effect of sunflower husk biochar on Haplic Luvisol. Sunflower husk biochar can be successfully used for Haplic Luvisol supplementation. This additive facilitates soil protection against degradation and has the potential to mitigate GHG emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Kubaczyński
- Department of Natural Environment Biogeochemistry, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Anna Walkiewicz
- Department of Natural Environment Biogeochemistry, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Anna Pytlak
- Department of Natural Environment Biogeochemistry, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Jarosław Grządziel
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-State Research Institute (IUNG-PIB), Czartoryskich 8, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | - Anna Gałązka
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-State Research Institute (IUNG-PIB), Czartoryskich 8, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Brzezińska
- Department of Natural Environment Biogeochemistry, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290, Lublin, Poland.
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Liao W, Halim MA, Kayes I, Drake JAP, Thomas SC. Biochar Benefits Green Infrastructure: Global Meta-Analysis and Synthesis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15475-15486. [PMID: 37788297 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization has degraded ecosystem services on a global scale, and cities are vulnerable to long-term stresses and risks exacerbated by climate change. Green infrastructure (GI) has been increasingly implemented in cities to improve ecosystem functions and enhance city resilience, yet GI degradation or failure is common. Biochar has been recently suggested as an ideal substrate additive for a range of GI types due to its favorable properties; however, the generality of biochar benefits the GI ecosystem function, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we present a global meta-analysis and synthesis and demonstrate that biochar additions pervasively benefit a wide range of ecosystem functions on GI. Biochar applications were found to improve substrate water retention capacity by 23% and enhance substrate nutrients by 12-31%, contributing to a 33% increase in plant total biomass. Improved substrate physicochemical properties and plant growth together reduce discharge water volume and improve discharge water quality from GI. In addition, biochar increases microbial biomass on GI by ∼150% due to the presence of biochar pores and enhanced microbial growth conditions, while also reducing CO2 and N2O emissions. Overall results suggest that biochar has great potential to enhance GI ecosystem functions as well as urban sustainability and resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Liao
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B3, Canada
| | - Md Abdul Halim
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B3, Canada
| | - Imrul Kayes
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B3, Canada
| | - Jennifer A P Drake
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Sean C Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B3, Canada
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6
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Sifton MA, Smith SM, Thomas SC. Biochar-biofertilizer combinations enhance growth and nutrient uptake in silver maple grown in an urban soil. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288291. [PMID: 37463169 PMCID: PMC10353828 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Declining tree health status due to pollutant impacts and nutrient imbalance is widespread in urban forests; however, chemical fertilizer use is increasingly avoided to reduce eutrophication impacts. Biochar (pyrolyzed organic waste) has been advocated as an alternative soil amendment, but biochar alone generally reduces plant N availability. The combination of biochar and either organic forms of N or Plant Growth Promoting Microbes (PGPMs) as biofertilizers may address these challenges. We examined the effects of two wood biochar types with Bacillus velezensis and an inactivated yeast (IY) biofertilizer in a three-month factorial greenhouse experiment with Acer saccharinum L. (silver maple) saplings grown in a representative urban soil. All treatments combining biochars with biofertilizers significantly increased sapling growth, with up to a 91% increase in biomass relative to controls. Growth and physiological responses were closely related to nutrient uptake patterns, with nutrient vector analyses indicating that combined biochar and biofertilizer treatments effectively addressed nutrient limitations of both macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg, Ca), and micronutrients (B, Fe, Mn, Mo, Na, S, and Zn). Biochar-biofertilizer treatments also reduced foliar concentrations of Cu, suggesting potential to mitigate toxic metal impacts common in urban forestry. We conclude that selected combinations of biochar and biofertilizers have substantial promise to address common soil limitations to tree performance in urban settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Sifton
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sandy M Smith
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sean C Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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7
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Gu YY, Liang XY, Zhang HY, Fu R, Li M, Chen CJ. Effect of biochar and bioorganic fertilizer on the microbial diversity in the rhizosphere soil of Sesbania cannabina in saline-alkaline soil. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1190716. [PMID: 37455751 PMCID: PMC10339320 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1190716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Biochar and bioorganic fertilizer (BOF) application in agriculture has garnered increasing interest recently. However, the effects of biochar and BOF on rhizosphere soil microecology, especially in a region with saline-alkaline soil, remain largely unexplored. Methods In this study, we performed Illumina-based 16S rRNA sequencing to investigate the effects of biochar with or without BOF addition, as well as at different addition rates and particles sizes, on the microecology of saline-alkaline rhizosphere soil. Results In the field experiment, biochar and BOF application altered the rhizosphere soil microecology. Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi accounted for >60% of the total bacterial population in each treatment. In the different treatments, Actinobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria were the predominant classes; Micromonosporales and Vicinamibacterales were the dominant orders; norank_f__Geminicoccaceae and Micromonosporaceae were the most abundant families; and Micromonospora and norank_f_Geminicoccaceae were the predominant genera. Application of biochar with or without BOF decreased soil electrical conductivity (EC) by 7% -11.58% only at the depth of 10 cm below the surface, again, soil EC can be significantly reduced by an average of 4% at 10 cm depth soil after planting Sesbania cannabina. Soil organic carbon, organic matter, available potassium, and available phosphorus contents had significant effects on the soil bacterial community structure. Conclusion Co-application of biochar and BOF resulted in the greatest improvement of rhizosphere soil microecology, either by promoting plant growth or improving the nutrition and physicochemical properties of soil, followed by BOF alone and biochar alone. Additionally, higher application rate of biochar was better than lower application rate, and fine biochar had a stronger effect than coarse biochar. These results provide guidance for the development of new saline-alkaline soil remediation strategies.
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Yadav SK, Bag R. Effect of Bamboo biochar on strength and water retention properties of low plastic clay and silty sand. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6201. [PMID: 37069251 PMCID: PMC10110512 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Biochar is a carbon-rich stable product derived from the thermochemical decomposition of biomass. The properties of biochar vary with types of feedstock, heating rate, pyrolysis temperature, etc. Consequently, the mechanical and hydrological properties of biochar amended soil (BAS) also differ with types of biochar and soils. However, the effect of bamboo biochar (BB) amendment on soil strength and water retention properties is missing in the previous literature. Bamboo biomass was pyrolysed at 600 °C to produce biochar. BB and soils (low plastic clay (CL) and silty sand (SM)) were mixed to prepare BAS. The samples were prepared by mixing BB in five ratios, i.e., 0%, 1%, 2%, 3.5% and 5% of dry soil weight. The biochar application has increased optimum moisture content, alkalinity (pH) and Atterberg limits, whereas, reduced maximum dry density and specific gravity of both the soils (CL and SM). The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of CL soil was noted to increase by 10.5% with 2% biochar content and decreased after that, whereas the UCS of SM soil was found to decrease continuously with the biochar content increment. Therefore, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) result showed that biochar application has contrary effects on both soils. The measured gravimetric water content (GWC) of BAS was increased with biochar increment in both soils. However, GWC increased more in CL than in SM soil at the same biochar content. The microstructural analysis showed that the biochar amendment filled the pore space of the soil matrix, resulting in an increase in UCS and GWC values. The increased water retention capacity and strength (UCS) of biochar amended CL soil provides evidence that it could be used as a landfill cover material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailesh Kumar Yadav
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Ramakrishna Bag
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Patna, Bihar, India.
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Li Y, Gupta R, Zhang Q, You S. Review of biochar production via crop residue pyrolysis: Development and perspectives. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 369:128423. [PMID: 36462767 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide surge in crop residue generation has necessitated developing strategies for their sustainable disposal. Pyrolysis has been widely adopted to convert crop residue into biochar with bio-oil and gas being two co-products. The review adopts a whole system philosophy and systematically summarises up-to-date knowledge of crop residue pyrolysis processes, influential factors, and biochar applications. Essential process design tools for biochar production e.g., cost-benefit analysis, life cycle assessment, and machine learning methods are also reviewed, which has often been overlooked in prior reviews. Important aspects include (a) correlating techno-economics of biochar production with crop residue compositions, (b) process operating conditions and management strategies, (c) biochar applications including soil amendment, fuel displacement, catalytic usage, etc., (d) data-driven modelling techniques, (e) properties of biochar, and (f) climate change mitigation. Overall, the review will support the development of application-oriented process pipelines for crop residue-based biochar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yize Li
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Rohit Gupta
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; Nanoengineered Systems Laboratory, UCL Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK; Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, University College London, London W1W 7TY, UK
| | - Qiaozhi Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Siming You
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
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10
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Bolan N, Sarmah AK, Bordoloi S, Bolan S, Padhye LP, Van Zwieten L, Sooriyakumar P, Khan BA, Ahmad M, Solaiman ZM, Rinklebe J, Wang H, Singh BP, Siddique KHM. Soil acidification and the liming potential of biochar. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120632. [PMID: 36384210 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Soil acidification in managed ecosystems such as agricultural lands principally results from the increased releasing of protons (H+) from the transformation reactions of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) containing compounds. The incorporation of liming materials can neutralize the protons released, hence reducing soil acidity and its adverse impacts to the soil environment, food security, and human health. Biochar derived from organic residues is becoming a source of carbon input to soil and provides multifunctional values. Biochar can be alkaline in nature, with the level of alkalinity dependent upon the feedstock and processing conditions. This review covers the fundamental aspects of soil acidification and of the use of biochar to address constraints related to acidic soil. Biochar is increasingly considered as an effective soil amendment for reducing soil acidity owing to its liming potential, thereby enhancing soil fertility and productivity in acid soils. The ameliorant effect on acid soils is mainly because of the dissolution of carbonates, (hydro)-oxides of the ash fraction of biochar and potential use by microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanthi Bolan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia.
| | - Ajit K Sarmah
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92010, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Sanandam Bordoloi
- Prairie Research Institute-Illinois Sustainable Technology Centre, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Shankar Bolan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia
| | - Lokesh P Padhye
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92010, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | | | - Prasanthi Sooriyakumar
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia
| | - Basit Ahmed Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Mahtab Ahmad
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Zakaria M Solaiman
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany; International Research Centre of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability (IRCNHS), Shoolini University, Solan 173212, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Hailong Wang
- Biochar Engineering Technology Research Center of Guangdong Province, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, People's Republic of China
| | - Bhupinder Pal Singh
- Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, Australia
| | - Kadambot H M Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6001, Australia
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11
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Impact of Biochar and Bioorganic Fertilizer on Rhizosphere Bacteria in Saline-Alkali Soil. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122310. [PMID: 36557563 PMCID: PMC9785793 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Biochar and bioorganic fertilizers (BOF) that are used in agriculture can, both directly and indirectly, impact rhizosphere soil microorganisms. However, changes to the halophyte rhizosphere bacterial community after applying biochar and BOF to saline−alkali soil have not been thoroughly described. This study has investigated the bacterial communities of halophytes in saline−alkali soil through the addition of different biochar and BOF formulas using Illumina-based sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene fragment. B_BOF (biochar and BOF combined application) had the best effect, either by promoting the plant growth or by improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The concentration of the rhizosphere bacterial communities correlated with the changes in soil organic matter (OM) and organic carbon (OC). Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteria accounted for >80% of the total bacteria in each treatment. In addition, the abundance of Micromonospora was much higher in response to B_BOF than to the other treatments. BOF, with or without biochar, significantly influenced the bacterial community composition in the saline−alkali soil. The OC, OM, total nitrogen, and the available phosphorus had significant effects on the bacterial structure of this soil. The complex correlation of the bacterial communities between CK and B_BOF was higher compared to that between CK and FB or between CK and BOF. These findings suggested that the plant growth, the soil characteristics, and the diversity or community composition of the rhizosphere bacteria in saline−alkali soil were significantly influenced by B_BOF, followed by BOF, and then biochar; fine biochar had a stronger effect than medium or coarse biochar. This study provides an insight into the complex microbial compositions that emerge in response to biochar and BOF.
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Liao W, Sifton MA, Thomas SC. Biochar granulation reduces substrate erosion on green roofs. BIOCHAR 2022; 4:61. [PMID: 36317055 PMCID: PMC9613583 DOI: 10.1007/s42773-022-00186-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Green roofs are exposed to high winds and harsh environmental conditions that can degrade vegetation and erode substrate material, with negative consequences to ecosystem services. Biochar has been promoted as an effective substrate additive to enhance plant performance, but unprocessed biochars are susceptible to wind and water erosion. Applications of granulated biochars or chemical dust suppressants are suggested as a means to mitigate biochar and substrate erosion; however, research on biochar type and chemical dust suppressant use on biochar and substrate erosion is lacking. Vegetation is a crucial factor that influences substrate erosion, yet plant responses may vary with biochar type and chemical dust suppressant; thus, the effects of possible mitigation measures on biochar and substrate erosion are unclear. We investigated the effects of surface-applied granulated and unprocessed biochars and an organic dust suppressant (Entac™) on biochar and substrate erosion on green roofs with Sedum album L. and a native plant mix. Our results show that 94% of unprocessed biochars were lost from green roofs after 2 years regardless of the Entac™ amendment, likely due to the lightweight nature and fragmentation of biochar particles. In contrast, granulation of biochars reduced the biochar erosion and total substrate erosion by 74% and 39%, respectively, possibly due to enhanced biochar bulk density and particle size and improved moisture retention of biochar-amended substrates. Additionally, Sedum album better reduced biochar and substrate erosion than the native plant mix, likely due to rapid development of high vegetation cover that reduced wind exposure and enhanced substrate moisture retention. We conclude that applications of granulated biochars can substantially reduce biochar and substrate erosion on green roofs, improving green roof sustainability. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42773-022-00186-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Liao
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3 Canada
| | - Melanie A. Sifton
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3 Canada
| | - Sean C. Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3 Canada
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Ng LYF, Ariffin H, Yasim-Anuar TAT, Farid MAA, Hassan MA. High-Energy Ball Milling for High Productivity of Nanobiochar from Oil Palm Biomass. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3251. [PMID: 36145039 PMCID: PMC9501152 DOI: 10.3390/nano12183251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The current production method of nanobiochar (NBC), an emerging, environmentally friendly nanocarbon material, is tedious and lengthy. Therefore, in this study we aimed to improve the productivity of NBC via high-energy ball milling by manipulating the grinding media and processing time. The particle size distribution of the resulting NBC measured using dynamic light scattering showed that grinding media with steel balls of different sizes were more effective at producing NBC than small uniform steel balls, which failed to produce NBC even after 90 min of milling. Average NBC particles of around 95 nm were achieved after only 30 min of ball milling, and the size was further reduced to about 30 nm when the milling was prolonged to 150 min. Further prolonging the milling duration led to agglomeration, which increased the size of the biochar nanoparticles. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data showed that the duration of milling and particle size did not cause noticeable differences in the thermal stability of the NBC. Based on the FTIR analysis, the chemical structure of the NBC was not affected by the ball milling. The results showed that 60 min of high-energy ball milling is sufficient to produce NBC particles of 75 nm, with a large surface area and high thermal stability. This could prove beneficial in a myriad of applications, ranging from agriculture to composite fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Yee Foong Ng
- Laboratory of Biopolymer and Derivatives, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia
| | - Hidayah Ariffin
- Laboratory of Biopolymer and Derivatives, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia
- Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia
| | - Tengku Arisyah Tengku Yasim-Anuar
- Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia
- Nextgreen Pulp & Paper Sdn. Bhd., Green Technology Park, Paloh Inai, Pekan 26600, Malaysia
| | - Mohammed Abdillah Ahmad Farid
- Department of Biological Functions Engineering, Gradute School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka 808-0196, Japan
| | - Mohd Ali Hassan
- Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia
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Liao W, Drake J, Thomas SC. Biochar granulation, particle size, and vegetation effects on leachate water quality from a green roof substrate. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 318:115506. [PMID: 35753127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biochar, due to its favourable physiochemical properties, has been promoted as an ideal substrate additive on green roofs, with potential benefits to hydrological function. However, biochar is susceptible to water erosion, which may result in biochar loss and water pollution. The use of granulated biochars or biochars in large particle sizes could potentially alleviate biochar erosion loss, but effects on leachate quality have not been investigated. Also, biochar type and particle size influence plant performance, and effects on discharge quality may vary with vegetation. We assessed the effects of unprocessed and granulated biochars at five (0.25-0.5 mm, 0.5-1 mm, 1-2 mm, 2-2.8 mm, 2.8-4 mm) and four (1-2 mm, 2-2.8 mm, 2.8-4 mm, and 4-6.3 mm) particle size ranges, respectively, on leachate quality on a typical green roof substrate, with presence and absence of vegetation (Agastache foeniculum - a drought-tolerant native forb). We evaluated integrated leachate quality using the CCME Water Quality Index (WQI). Unprocessed biochars reduced nutrient leaching due to increased water retention capacity (WRC) and total porosity. In contrast, granulated biochars, although showing less pronounced mitigation of nutrient leaching, reduced total suspended solids (TSS) and improved WQI in leachate due to enhanced plant performance. In addition, small biochar particles better reduced nutrient leaching and particle loss than large biochar particles, possibly due to increased WRC and formation of water-stable aggregates. The presence of vegetation generally reduced the leaching of nutrients and TSS, consistent with plant nutrient uptake and root substrate stabilization. However, plant biomass was correlated with increased total N leaching, likely due to litter inputs and rapid litter decomposition. We conclude that applications of granulated biochars may best improve discharge quality from green roofs through sorption effects and by enhancing plant performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Liao
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON, M5S 3B3, Canada.
| | - Jennifer Drake
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, ON, M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Sean C Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON, M5S 3B3, Canada
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15
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Mao Q, Hu B, Agathokleous E, Wang L, Koike T, Ma M, Rennenberg H. Biochar application improves karstic lime soil physicochemical properties and enzymes activity and enhances sweet tea seedlings physiological performance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 830:154815. [PMID: 35341840 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Karst lime soil, commonly found in rocky desert ecosystems of Southwest China, exhibits high pH, poor water retention, and intense erosion. To prevent further soil erosion and soil losses from these ecosystems, stabilization measures based on improved green infrastructure are needed. The present study aimed at elucidating the performance of sweet tea (Lithocarpus polystachyus) seedlings grown on this soil type upon biochar application. Biochar was classified into different particle sizes, viz. 0.25-0.5 mm (medium), 0.5-1 mm (coarse), 1-2 mm (gravel), and their mixture, and added at the concentrations of 1, 2, or 5% soil mass. The pH, moisture, and porosity of soil increased upon biochar application compared to control; however, soil bulk density significantly decreased. The activity of soil phosphatase was increased by biochar particle size. Biochar particle size and concentration significantly enhanced the soil organic carbon content, but they differently affected total and plant-available nutrients in the soil. Light-saturated photosynthesis was positively affected, while stomatal conductance, leaf transpiration, and the intercellular CO2 concentrations of sweet tea leaves were negatively affected by biochar particle size and/or concentration compared to control. Leaf chlorophyll and soluble protein contents were increased by biochar application. From these results, we conclude that biochar can improve soil properties and the performance of sweet tea seedlings grown on Karst lime soil. We suggest its application at a concentration of 2% soil mass for keeping a high physiological performance of sweet tea seedlings in this environment. The selection of the ideal particle size is context-specific and depends on the target outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaozhi Mao
- Center of Molecular Ecological Physiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Bin Hu
- Center of Molecular Ecological Physiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- Department of Ecology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), Nanjing 210044, China.
| | - Lina Wang
- Center of Molecular Ecological Physiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Takayoshi Koike
- Urban Ecology of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Science, Beijing 100085, China; Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0608589, Japan
| | - Ming Ma
- Center of Molecular Ecological Physiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Heinz Rennenberg
- Center of Molecular Ecological Physiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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16
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Saah KJA, Kaba JS, Abunyewa AA. Inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, biochar particle size and rate of application on lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) nitrogen use and yield. ALL LIFE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2022.2080282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Konadu Jennifer Ama Saah
- Department of Agroforestry, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - James S. Kaba
- Department of Agroforestry, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Akwasi A. Abunyewa
- Department of Agroforestry, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Wu S, Cai X, Liao Z, He W, Shen J, Yuan Y, Ning X. Redox properties of nano-sized biochar derived from wheat straw biochar. RSC Adv 2022; 12:11039-11046. [PMID: 35425063 PMCID: PMC8992223 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra01211a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nano-sized biochar (NBC) has received increasing attention due to its unique physicochemical characteristics and environmental behaviour, but an understanding of its redox properties is limited. Herein, the redox properties of NBC derived from wheat straw were investigated at two pyrolysis temperatures (400 and 700 °C). These NBC materials were prepared from bulk-biochar by grinding, ultrasonication and separation treatments. The resulting NBC had average particle sizes of 78.8 ± 1.9 and 122.0 ± 2.1 nm after 400 and 700 °C treatments, respectively. The physicochemical measurements demonstrated that both the NBC prepared at 400 °C (NBC-400) and the NBC prepared at 700 °C (NBC-700) were enriched in carboxyl and phenolic oxygen-content groups. Electrochemical analyses showed that both NBC-400 and NBC-700 were redox active and had an electron transfer capacity (ETC) of 196.57 μmol−1 gC−1 and 363.47 μmol−1 gC−1, respectively. On the basis of its redox activity of NBC, the NBC was capable of mediating the reduction of iron and manganese minerals as well as the degradation of methyl orange (MO) by sulfide. The NBC-700 could stimulate these reactions better than the NBC-400 due to its higher redox activity. Meanwhile, the NBC was more active in stimulating these reactions than bulk-biochar. Our results highlight the importance of size in evaluating the redox reactivity of biochar and related environmental processes and improve our understanding of the redox properties of biochar. NBC exhibit significant efficiency in mediating MO or minerals reduction by accelerating electron transfer. NBC-700 has higher SSA, ETC and stronger redox property than NBC-400.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyin Wu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Xixi Cai
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Zhiyang Liao
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Wenjie He
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Junhua Shen
- Shaoguan Pengrui Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. P. R. China
| | - Yong Yuan
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Xunan Ning
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
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18
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Liao W, Drake J, Thomas SC. Biochar granulation enhances plant performance on a green roof substrate. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 813:152638. [PMID: 34968588 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Green roofs have been widely promoted as a means to enhance ecosystem services in cities, but roofs present a harsh growing environment for plants. Biochar is suggested to be a highly beneficial substrate additive for green roof systems due to its low weight, high nutrient and water retention capacity, and recalcitrance. However, biochar is susceptible to wind and water erosion, which may result in biochar loss and negative environmental impacts. Applications of biochar as large particles or in granulated form may mitigate biochar erosion potential, but relevant data on plant performance and substrate properties are lacking. We examined the effects of granulated and conventional biochars at a range of particle sizes on plant performance of the drought-tolerant forb Agastache foeniculum. We found that granulated biochar strongly enhanced plant growth, reproduction, and physiological status, acting to neutralize pH and enhance water retention capacity of the substrate. In contrast, although conventional biochar reduced substrate bulk density and enhanced substrate total porosity and water retention capacity, it suppressed plant growth. Our results also suggest that granulated biochar at intermediate particle sizes (2-2.8 mm) best enhanced plant performance. We conclude that use of granulated biochars on green roofs can strongly promote plant performance while increasing water infiltration and retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Liao
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada.
| | - Jennifer Drake
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Sean C Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada
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Kubaczyński A, Walkiewicz A, Pytlak A, Grządziel J, Gałązka A, Brzezińska M. Biochar dose determines methane uptake and methanotroph abundance in Haplic Luvisol. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:151259. [PMID: 34715215 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biochar promotes C sequestration and improvement of soil properties. Nevertheless, the effects of biochar addition on soil condition are poorly understood, especially with respect to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A large proportion of GHG emissions derive from agriculture and, thus, recognition of the effect of biochar addition to soil on GHG emissions from terrestrial ecosystems is an important issue. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of biochar application on soil in aspects of: GHG exchange (CH4 and CO2), basic physicochemical soil properties and structure of microbial communities in Haplic Luvisol. Soil was collected from fallow fields enriched with three doses of wood offcuts biochar (10, 20 and 30 Mg ha-1) and incubated at two moisture levels (60 and 100% WHC) with the addition of 1% CH4. To evaluate the influence of biochar aging in soil, the samples were analysed directly (short-term response) and five years (long-term response) after amendment. Generally, biochar addition increased soil pH, redox potential (Eh), organic carbon (SOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents. Under 60% WHC, direct biochar application to the soil resulted in a clear improvement in the CH4 uptake rate. In contrast to that (at 100% WHC) methane uptake rates were twofold decreased. The positive effect was reduced due to biochar aging in the soil, but five years after application, at 60% WHC and the highest biochar dose (30 Mg ha-1) still significantly enhanced CH4 oxidation. From a short-term perspective, biochar application increased CO2 emissions, but after five years this effect was not observed. Microbial tests confirmed that the improvement in CH4 oxidation was correlated with methanotroph abundance in the soil. Moreover, an increase of Methylocystis abundance in the soil enriched with biochar along with enhanced CH4 uptake rates confirm the positive biochar influence on methanotrophic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Kubaczyński
- Department of Natural Environment Biogeochemistry, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Anna Walkiewicz
- Department of Natural Environment Biogeochemistry, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Anna Pytlak
- Department of Natural Environment Biogeochemistry, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Jarosław Grządziel
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-State Research Institute (IUNG-PIB), Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Anna Gałązka
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-State Research Institute (IUNG-PIB), Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Brzezińska
- Department of Natural Environment Biogeochemistry, Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland.
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Yao S, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Hu J, Xie T. Modeling and characterization of the biochar electrodes for vanadium redox flow battery. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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21
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Khan N, Chowdhary P, Gnansounou E, Chaturvedi P. Biochar and environmental sustainability: Emerging trends and techno-economic perspectives. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 332:125102. [PMID: 33853722 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollutants including emerging contaminants are a growing concern worldwide. Organic wastes, such as food waste, compost, animal manure, crop residues, and sludge are generally used as feedstock. The conventional treatment methodologies (primary and secondary treatment process) do not mitigate or remove pollutants effectively. Hence, an effective, low-cost, and environmentally friendly tertiary treatment process is an urgent need. Biochar finds interesting applications in environmental processes like pollutant remediation, greenhouse gas mitigation, and wastewater treatment. Studies have shown that different types of adsorbents (biochars) like, native and engineered biochar are being used in the removal or mitigation of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, disinfectants, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and dibenzo-p-dioxins from contaminated sites for environmental management. The review discusses ample studieswhich can offer solutions for environmental sustenance and managementand the emerging trends and techno-economic prospectives of biochar for sustainable environmental management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawaz Khan
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Pankaj Chowdhary
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Edgard Gnansounou
- Bioenergy and Energy planning, IIC, ENAC, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Station 18, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Preeti Chaturvedi
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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22
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Ruzickova J, Koval S, Raclavska H, Kucbel M, Svedova B, Raclavsky K, Juchelkova D, Scala F. A comprehensive assessment of potential hazard caused by organic compounds in biochar for agricultural use. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 403:123644. [PMID: 33264861 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Great attention has been paid to using biochar as soil conditioner and bio-accumulator. Nevertheless, biochar application in agriculture might cause a potential hazard to ecosystems, considering that toxic organic pollutants present in biochar may enter the environment. European Biochar Certificate (EBC) set certain criteria for biochar production. Achieving the EBC established values of the molar ratio of H/Corg <0.7 and O/Corg <0.4, does not ensure that biochar will not cause phytotoxicity. The results of root growth inhibition of Sinapis alba were in the range of 9% (eucalyptus wood biochar) to 82% (maize biochar). Phytotoxicity of biochar was possibly caused by the presence of water-soluble organic compounds. In total, 62 organic compounds were identified in the leachate from noncertified biochar and 35 organic compounds in the leachate from certified biochar. Biochar safety, in terms of the presence of organic compounds, can be recognised by the evaluation of the ratio of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC). Biochar with the highest phytotoxicity showed the ratio between OC/EC > 0.1, inhibition of Sinapis alba <30% was observed with OC/EC < 0.02. To achieve Sinapis alba inhibition <20%, these parameters should be met: volatile matter (VM) <30%; concentration of OC < 4%; aromaticity ratio AL/AR < 0.35.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S Koval
- ENET Centre VSB-TU Ostrava, Czech Republic.
| | | | - M Kucbel
- ENET Centre VSB-TU Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - B Svedova
- ENET Centre VSB-TU Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | | | - D Juchelkova
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science VSB-TU Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - F Scala
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Italy
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Thomas SC. Post-processing of biochars to enhance plant growth responses: a review and meta-analysis. BIOCHAR 2021; 3:437-455. [PMID: 34723131 PMCID: PMC8547209 DOI: 10.1007/s42773-021-00115-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A number of processes for post-production treatment of "raw" biochars, including leaching, aeration, grinding or sieving to reduce particle size, and chemical or steam activation, have been suggested as means to enhance biochar effectiveness in agriculture, forestry, and environmental restoration. Here, I review studies on post-production processing methods and their effects on biochar physio-chemical properties and present a meta-analysis of plant growth and yield responses to post-processed vs. "raw" biochars. Data from 23 studies provide a total of 112 comparisons of responses to processed vs. unprocessed biochars, and 103 comparisons allowing assessment of effects relative to biochar particle size; additional 8 published studies involving 32 comparisons provide data on effects of biochar leachates. Overall, post-processed biochars resulted in significantly increased average plant growth responses 14% above those observed with unprocessed biochar. This overall effect was driven by plant growth responses to reduced biochar particle size, and heating/aeration treatments. The assessment of biochar effects by particle size indicates a peak at a particle size of 0.5-1.0 mm. Biochar leachate treatments showed very high heterogeneity among studies and no average growth benefit. I conclude that physiochemical post-processing of biochar offers substantial additional agronomic benefits compared to the use of unprocessed biochar. Further research on post-production treatments effects will be important for biochar utilization to maximize benefits to carbon sequestration and system productivity in agriculture, forestry, and environmental restoration. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42773-021-00115-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C. Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3 Canada
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24
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Biochar Effects on Soil Physiochemical Properties in Degraded Managed Ecosystems in Northeastern Bangladesh. SOIL SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/soilsystems4040069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A body of emerging research shows the promise of charcoal soil amendments (“biochars”) in restoring fertility in degraded agricultural and forest soils. “Sustainable biochars” derived from locally produced waste biomass and produced near the application site are of particular interest. We tested the effects of surface applications of wood-derived biochars (applied at 7.5 t·ha−1) on soil physiochemical properties (N, P, K, pH, soil moisture content, organic matter content, and bulk density) in three land-use types: agriculture (Camellia sinensis monoculture), agroforestry (C. sinensis with shade trees), and secondary forest (Dipterocarpus dominated) assessed over seven months. We found significant positive effects of biochar on soil physiochemical properties in all land-use types, with the strongest responses in the most degraded tea monoculture sites. Although biochar had no significant effect on soil N and K, it improved soil P—the primary nutrient most commonly limiting in tropical soils. Biochar also enhanced soil moisture and organic matter content, reduced bulk density, and increased soil pH in monoculture sites. Our results support the general hypothesis that biochar can improve the fertility of degraded soils in agricultural and forest systems in Bangladesh and suggest that biochar additions may be of great benefit to the most degraded soils.
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25
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Song S, Arora S, Laserna AKC, Shen Y, Thian BWY, Cheong JC, Tan JKN, Chiam Z, Fong SL, Ghosh S, Ok YS, Li SFY, Tan HTW, Dai Y, Wang CH. Biochar for urban agriculture: Impacts on soil chemical characteristics and on Brassica rapa growth, nutrient content and metabolism over multiple growth cycles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 727:138742. [PMID: 32498194 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
With possible food crises looming in the near future, urban farming, including small-scale community and home gardens for home consumption, presents a promising option to improve food security in cities. These small-scale farms and gardens often use planter boxes and raised beds filled with lightweight soil or potting mixes. While previous studies on biochar focused on its application on large-scale contiguous farmlands, this study aimed to evaluate the suitability of biochar as a partial soil substitute to produce a durable and lightweight soil-biochar mix for small-scale urban farms. The effects of biochar on the chemical properties of the soil-biochar mix, crop yield and, particularly, crop nutrients and metabolic content were assessed. A germination test using pak choi seeds (Brassica rapa L. cultivar group Pak choi, Green-Petioled Form) showed that the biochar contained phytostimulants. Through a nursery pot experiment over four growth cycles, biochar treatments performed better than pure soil at retaining water-soluble NO3- and K+ ions, but were worse at retaining PO43- ions. Nonetheless, despite its positive effect on soil NO3- retention, biochar application did not improve crop yield significantly when the application rate varied from 0% to 60% (v/v). Untargeted metabolomic analyses showed that biochar application may increase the production of carbohydrates and certain flavonoids and glucosinolates. The results of this study showed that biochar can potentially be used to improve pak choi nutritional values and applied in large quantity to obtain a lightweight soil mix for urban farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117558, Republic of Singapore
| | - Srishti Arora
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, Create Tower #15-02, Singapore 138602, Republic of Singapore
| | - Anna Karen C Laserna
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
| | - Ye Shen
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, Create Tower #15-02, Singapore 138602, Republic of Singapore
| | - Brian W Y Thian
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jia Chin Cheong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117558, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jonathan K N Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117558, Republic of Singapore
| | - Zhongyu Chiam
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117558, Republic of Singapore
| | - Siew Lee Fong
- Agri-technology & Food Innovation Department, Singapore Food Agency, Sembawang Research Station, Lorong Chencharu, Singapore 769194, Republic of Singapore
| | - Subhadip Ghosh
- Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (Research), National Parks Board, Republic of Singapore; School of Environmental & Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center & APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sam F Y Li
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
| | - Hugh T W Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117558, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yanjun Dai
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Chi-Hwa Wang
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, Create Tower #15-02, Singapore 138602, Republic of Singapore; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Republic of Singapore.
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26
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Fazeli Sangani M, Abrishamkesh S, Owens G. Physicochemical characteristics of biochars can be beneficially manipulated using post-pyrolyzed particle size modification. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 306:123157. [PMID: 32182470 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This work aimed to study the changes in the physicochemical properties of biochars induced by post-pyrolyzed particle size processing. Twelve distinct physicochemical attributes of four different particle sized biochars, derived from three different feedstocks, including rice husk, tea wastes and woodchips; were investigated. Amongst all of the investigated characteristics water repellency (η2 = 0.99) and mean pore diameter (η2 = 0.95) were the characteristics most affected by feedstock type and particle size, respectively. The interaction effect between biochar type and particle size was extremely significant (P < 0.001) for surface area and mean pore diameter. While feedstock mainly controlled biochar characteristics, most characteristics were also particle size dependent, where size dependency was more influential on physical than chemical properties. For most properties a significant interaction effect between biochar type and particle size was also detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood Fazeli Sangani
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Sepideh Abrishamkesh
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Gary Owens
- Environmental Contaminants Group, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, South Australia 5095, Australia.
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Khalid S, Shahid M, Murtaza B, Bibi I, Asif Naeem M, Niazi NK. A critical review of different factors governing the fate of pesticides in soil under biochar application. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 711:134645. [PMID: 31822404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Pesticides are extensively used in the modern agricultural system. The inefficient and extensive use of pesticides during the last 5 to 6 decades inadvertently led to serious deterioration of environmental quality with health risk to living organisms, including humans. It is important to use some environmentally-friendly and sustainable approaches to remediate, restore and maintain soil quality. Biochar has gained considerable attention globally as a promising soil amendment because it has the ability to adsorb and as such minimize the bioavailability of pesticides in soils. This review emphasizes the recent trends and implications of biochar in pesticide-contaminated soils, as well as highlights need of the pesticides use and associated environmental issues in context of the biochar application. The overarching aim of this review is to signify the role of biochar on primary processes such as effect of biochar on the persistence, mineralization, leaching and efficacy of pesticides in soil. Notably, the effects of biochar on pesticide adsorption-desorption, degradation and bioavailability under various operating/production conditions are critically discussed. This review delineates the indirect impact of biochar on pesticides persistence in soils and proposes key recommendations for future research which are essential for the remediation and restoration of pesticides-impacted soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Khalid
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahid
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan.
| | - Behzad Murtaza
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
| | - Irshad Bibi
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asif Naeem
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
| | - Nabeel Khan Niazi
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan; School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba 4350, Queensland, Australia.
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Impact of Biochar on Physicochemical Properties of Haplic Luvisol Soil under Different Land Use: A Plot Experiment. AGRONOMY-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/agronomy9090531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is limited information regarding the effect of biochar (BioC) on improving the fertility of degraded soils (fallow and grassland), particularly with respect to changes with time. The objective of the study was to evaluate, in a three-year field experiment, the influence of BioC on the physicochemical properties of Haplic Luvisol. BioC, obtained via wood waste pyrolysis at 650 °C, was applied to the soil of subplots under fallow and grassland at rates of 0, 1, 2, and 3 kg·m−2. Soil samples were collected eight times, from 2013 to 2015. Physicochemical characterization was performed for soil and BioC by analyzing density, pH, surface charge, as well as ash and organic carbon content. BioC’s influence on the physicochemical properties of degraded soils was determined by analyzing the changes in pH, specific surface area, radius, and volume of the micropore. The addition of BioC affected analyzed soils to varying degrees. In the case of the fallow, a positive effect on changes in these parameters was observed, particularly at the highest biochar dose and for the last year of the experiment. However, for the grassland, in most cases we observed the opposite trend—for example, pH and specific surface area values decreased with increasing biochar dose. We believe that it is necessary to examine how BioC affects sorption properties of organic matter of fallow and grassland soils, as well as the BioC’s influence on humic acids of these soils as a function on BioC dose and function of time.
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