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Liu X, Jiang C, Qin Y, Wang C, Wang J, Zheng X, Maihaiti M, Zhang X, Ma S, Xu S, Zhuang X. Production of biochar from squeezed liquid of fruit and vegetable waste: Impacts on soil N 2O emission and microbial community. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117245. [PMID: 37774999 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117245] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The squeezed liquid from fruit and vegetable waste (LW) presents a unique wastewater challenge, marked by recalcitrance in treatment and amplified design risks with the application of conventional processes. Following coagulation of the squeezed liquid, the majority of particulate matter precipitates. The resulting precipitated floc (LWF) is reclaimed and subsequently utilized for the synthesis of biochar. The present study primarily explores the viability of repurposing LWF as biochar to enhance soil quality and mitigate N2O emissions. Findings indicate that the introduction of a 2% proportion of LWFB led to a remarkable 99.5% reduction in total N2O emissions in contrast to LWF. Concurrently, LWFB substantially enhanced nutrients content by elevating soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen levels. Utilizing high-throughput sequencing in conjunction with qPCR, the investigation unveiled that the porous structure and substantial specific surface area of LWFB potentially fostered microbial adhesion and heightened diversity within the soil microbial community. Furthermore, LWFB notably diminished the relative abundance of AOB (Nitrosospira, Nitrosomonas), and NOB (Candidatus_Nitrotoga), thereby curbing the conversion of NH4+ into NO3-. The pronounced elevation in nosZ abundance implies that LWFB holds the potential to mitigate N2O emissions through a conversion to N2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Cancan Jiang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yu Qin
- Yangtze River Delta Branch, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yiwu, 322000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoxu Zheng
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mairemu Maihaiti
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xupo Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuanglong Ma
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Shengjun Xu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Xuliang Zhuang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Luo L, Wang J, Lv J, Liu Z, Sun T, Yang Y, Zhu YG. Carbon Sequestration Strategies in Soil Using Biochar: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11357-11372. [PMID: 37493521 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Biochar, a carbon (C)-rich material obtained from the thermochemical conversion of biomass under oxygen-limited environments, has been proposed as one of the most promising materials for C sequestration and climate mitigation in soil. The C sequestration contribution of biochar hinges not only on its fused aromatic structure but also on its abiotic and biotic reactions with soil components across its entire life cycle in the environment. For instance, minerals and microorganisms can deeply participate in the mineralization or complexation of the labile (soluble and easily decomposable) and even recalcitrant fractions of biochar, thereby profoundly affecting C cycling and sequestration in soil. Here we identify five key issues closely related to the application of biochar for C sequestration in soil and review its outstanding advances. Specifically, the terms use of biochar, pyrochar, and hydrochar, the stability of biochar in soil, the effect of biochar on the flux and speciation changes of C in soil, the emission of nitrogen-containing greenhouse gases induced by biochar production and soil application, and the application barriers of biochar in soil are expounded. By elaborating on these critical issues, we discuss the challenges and knowledge gaps that hinder our understanding and application of biochar for C sequestration in soil and provide outlooks for future research directions. We suggest that combining the mechanistic understanding of biochar-to-soil interactions and long-term field studies, while considering the influence of multiple factors and processes, is essential to bridge these knowledge gaps. Further, the standards for biochar production and soil application should be widely implemented, and the threshold values of biochar application in soil should be urgently developed. Also needed are comprehensive and prospective life cycle assessments that are not restricted to soil C sequestration and account for the contributions of contamination remediation, soil quality improvement, and vegetation C sequestration to accurately reflect the total benefits of biochar on C sequestration in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Luo
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxiao Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Jitao Lv
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengang Liu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianran Sun
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
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Holatko J, Brtnicky M, Mustafa A, Kintl A, Skarpa P, Ryant P, Baltazar T, Malicek O, Latal O, Hammerschmiedt T. Effect of Digestate Modified with Amendments on Soil Health and Plant Biomass under Varying Experimental Durations. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:1027. [PMID: 36770034 PMCID: PMC9920836 DOI: 10.3390/ma16031027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A digestate with amendments provides plants with available nutrients and improves the microbiological properties of treated soil. Modification of a digestate through the addition of a biochar and sulphur source is less well-known. This pot experiment aimed at comparing the short- and long-time fertilization effects of a digestate enriched with biochar, with elemental sulphur, or with a combination of both on soil health and plant biomass. The experiment was carried out with maize, cultivated twice (1st-12th week = pre-cultivation; re-sowing after shoot harvest, 13th-24th = main cultivation) in soil amended with prepared digestate. The digestate used in pre-cultivation was incubated untreated (D) and was then treated with biochar (D + B), with elemental sulphur at a low (LS) and high (HS) dose, or with a combination of both (D + B + LS and D + B + HS). An additional unamended digestate (D) was added to each soil variant before the main cultivation. The application of digestate with a high dose of elemental sulphur and biochar mediated the most significant differences in the soil. The increase (compared to the unamended soil) was of short-term type (+11% and +6% increased total nitrogen and carbon after 12 weeks), then of long-term type (+54% and +30% increased sulphur and arylsulfatase activity after 24 weeks), and later emerged in the 13th to the 24th week of the experiment (+57% and +32% non-inhibited urease, increased N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and phosphatase). No significant differences in the effect of the applied amendments on dry aboveground plant biomass were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Holatko
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Agrovyzkum Rapotin Ltd., Vyzkumniku 267, 788 13 Rapotin, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Brtnicky
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 118, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adnan Mustafa
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 118, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Benatska 2, 128 00 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Antonin Kintl
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Agricultural Research Ltd., Zahradni 400/1, 664 41 Troubsko, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Skarpa
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Ryant
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tivadar Baltazar
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Malicek
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Oldrich Latal
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Agrovyzkum Rapotin Ltd., Vyzkumniku 267, 788 13 Rapotin, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Hammerschmiedt
- Department of Agrochemistry, Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Jellali S, El-Bassi L, Charabi Y, Uaman M, Khiari B, Al-Wardy M, Jeguirim M. Recent advancements on biochars enrichment with ammonium and nitrates from wastewaters: A critical review on benefits for environment and agriculture. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 305:114368. [PMID: 34968937 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
During the last decade, biochars have been considered as attractive and eco-friendly materials with various applications including wastewater treatment, energy production and soil amendments. However, the important nitrogen losses during biochars production using the pyrolysis process have limited their potential use in agriculture as biofertilizer. Therefore, it seems necessary to enrich these biochars with nitrogen sources before their use in agricultural soils. This paper is the first comprehensive review on the assessment of biomass type and the biochars' properties effects on N recovery efficiency from aqueous solutions as well as its release and availability for plants when applying the N-enriched chars in soils. In particular, the N recovery efficiency by raw biochars versus the type of the raw feedstock is summarized. Then, correlations between the adsorption performance and the main physico-chemical properties are established. The main mechanisms involved during ammonium (NH4-N) and nitrates (NO3-N) recovery process are thoroughly discussed. A special attention is given to the assessment of the biochars physico-chemical modification impact on their N recovery capacities improvement. After that, the application of these N-enriched biochars in agriculture and their impacts on plants growth as well as methane and nitrous oxide greenhouse gas emissions reduction are also discussed. Finally, the main future development and challenges of biochars enrichment with N from wastewaters and their valorization as biofertilizers for plants growth and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction are provided. This systematic review is intended to promote the real application of biochars for nutrients recovery from wastewaters and their reuse as eco-friendly fertilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah Jellali
- Center for Environmental Studies and Research, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Leila El-Bassi
- Wastewaters and Environment Laboratory, Water Research and Technologies Center (CERTE), Technopark Borj Cedria, University of Carthage, P.O.Box 273, Soliman, 8020, Tunisia.
| | - Yassine Charabi
- Center for Environmental Studies and Research, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Muhammad Uaman
- Center for Environmental Studies and Research, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud 123, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Besma Khiari
- Wastewaters and Environment Laboratory, Water Research and Technologies Center (CERTE), Technopark Borj Cedria, University of Carthage, P.O.Box 273, Soliman, 8020, Tunisia.
| | - Malik Al-Wardy
- Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Mejdi Jeguirim
- The Institute of Materials Science of Mulhouse (IS2M), University of Haute Alsace, University of Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7361, F-68100, Mulhouse, France.
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Li H, Meng J, Liu Z, Lan Y, Yang X, Huang Y, He T, Chen W. Effects of biochar on N 2O emission in denitrification pathway from paddy soil: A drying incubation study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 787:147591. [PMID: 33991921 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
N2O emission from paddy soil is a potential environmental risk, especially when the soil moisture content of paddy soil changes and excessive nitrogen retention occurs. Biochar is known to have a positive effect on reducing N2O emissions. However, the influence of different types of biochar on N2O emission with varying soil moisture contents is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of biochar made from different feedstocks and at different pyrolysis temperatures on the release of N2O during drying process of paddy soil. An incubation experiment with four kinds of biochar (rice straw and rice husk biochar pyrolyzed at 400 °C and 700 °C, respectively) applied at 1% (w/w) was conducted on paddy soil with the same initial moisture content (105% water-filled pore space). The emission rate of N2O, concentrations of ammonium and nitrate, and the abundance of N2O related microbial functional genes (narG and nosZ) were monitored throughout the incubation period. Biochar amendments reduced cumulative N2O emissions by 56.8-90.1% compared to the control. Low-temperature rice straw biochar decreased nosZ gene abundance, downregulated the denitrification pathway, and reduced nitrogen loss and N2O emission. The low-temperature pyrolysis rice husk biochar and the control showed similar trends in narG and nosZ gene abundance and N2O emission. The high-temperature pyrolysis of rice straw and rice husk biochar showed opposite trends in narG gene abundance, but both increased nosZ gene abundance at the later incubation period. Different feedback on denitrification-derived N2O emission in biochar application was revealed in this study by establishing a link between biotic and abiotic factors, showing that caution should be exercised when considering the use of biochar to mitigate N2O emission under drying soil conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Jun Meng
- Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Zunqi Liu
- Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Yu Lan
- Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Xu Yang
- Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Yuwei Huang
- Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Tianyi He
- Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
| | - Wenfu Chen
- Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
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Chen D, Zhou Y, Xu C, Lu X, Liu Y, Yu S, Feng Y. Water-washed hydrochar in rice paddy soil reduces N 2O and CH 4 emissions: A whole growth period investigation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 274:116573. [PMID: 33529901 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hydrochar (HC), an environment-friendly material, enhances soil carbon sequestration and mitigate greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions in croplands. In this study, the water-washed HC (WW-HC) was applied to paddy soil to investigate effects on nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions during rice growth period. Four treatments, namely control (without N fertilizer and WW-HC), N fertilizer (WW-HC00), N fertilizer with 0.5 wt% WW-HC (WW-HC05) and N fertilizer with 1.5 wt% WW-HC (WW-HC15), were established. Results showed the WW-HC addition reduced N2O and CH4 emissions, global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) during the growing season. Moreover, the WW-HC application reduced N2O cumulative emission (P < 0.05) (by 28.6% and 23.8% for WW-HC05 and WW-HC15, respectively). It was mainly due to the reduced ratio of (nirK + nirS) to nosZ under WW-HC15 (P < 0.05). Compared with WW-HC00, the WW-HC05 reduced CH4 cumulative emissions by 14.8%, while the WW-HC15 increased by 9.7%. This might be ascribed to the significantly reduced expression of the methanogenic mcrA gene and ratio of mcrA to pmoA by WW-HC (P < 0.05). The WW-HC05 amendment decreased GWP and GHGI by 18.6% and 32.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the WW-HC application greatly improved nitrogen use efficiency by 116-145% compared with the control. Our study indicates the WW-HC application is a promising GHGs mitigation practice in paddy fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyan Chen
- College of Horticulture, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 210038, China
| | - Yibo Zhou
- Nanjing Extension Center for Agricultural Equipment, Nanjing, 210036, China
| | - Cong Xu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, 210014, China; School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Xinyu Lu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, 210014, China; College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Information, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Shan Yu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, 210014, China; School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Yanfang Feng
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, 210014, China; School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
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Application of Hydrochar, Digestate, and Synthetic Fertilizer to a Miscanthus x giganteus Crop: Implications for Biomass and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10248953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Miscanthus x giganteus (miscanthus), a perennial biomass crop, allocates more carbon belowground and typically has lower soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than conventional feedstock crops, but best practices for nutrient management that maximize yield while minimizing soil GHG emissions are still debated. This study evaluated the effects of four different fertilization treatments (digestate from a biodigester, synthetic fertilizer (urea), hydrochar from the hydrothermal carbonization of digestate, and a control) on soil GHG emissions and biomass yield of an established miscanthus stand grown on abandoned agricultural land. Soil GHG fluxes (including CH4, CO2, and N2O) were sampled in all treatments using the static chamber methodology. Average biomass yield varied from 20.2 Mg ha−1 to 23.5 Mg ha−1, but there were no significant differences among the four treatments (p > 0.05). The hydrochar treatment reduced mean CO2 emissions by 34% compared to the control treatment, but this difference was only statistically significant in one of the two sites tested. Applying digestate to miscanthus resulted in a CH4 efflux from the soil in one of two sites, while soils treated with urea and hydrochar acted as CH4 sinks in both sites. Overall, fertilization did not significantly improve biomass yield, but hydrochar as a soil amendment has potential for reducing soil GHG fluxes.
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Liu H, Li H, Zhang A, Rahaman MA, Yang Z. Inhibited effect of biochar application on N 2O emissions is amount and time-dependent by regulating denitrification in a wheat-maize rotation system in North China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 721:137636. [PMID: 32172102 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biochar application is considered an effective method of reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in soil. However, the mechanism and temporal effect of different doses of biochar on N2O emissions is still obscure. Here, we conducted a two-year field experiment to test the effects of different input amounts and frequencies of biochar on soil N2O emissions in North China. Biochar was applied in six different treatments in a winter wheat and summer maize rotation system: applications of 0 t/ha biochar (C0), 2.25 t/ha biochar (C1), 4.5 t/ha biochar (C2), 9 t/ha biochar (C3), and 13.5 t/ha biochar (C4) each year, and a single application of 13.5 t/ha biochar (CS) in the first year. The results showed that biochar could inhibit N2O emissions, reaching 20.6% to 60.1% in the wheat season and 18.1% to 39.4% in the maize season. The inhibitory effect of biochar on soil N2O emissions was dependent on amount and time. C3 had the best results in the wheat season, although its inhibitory effect in the maize season was not as good relative to C4 due to the lower biochar application. In addition, CS significantly reduced (27.7%) the cumulative N2O emissions in the first year, although the inhibitory effect disappeared in the second year. Biochar increased the nosZ gene copy numbers and promoted a reduction of N2O in the soil via the denitrification process. In conclusion, the inhibition of N2O emissions during denitrification is an important factor for reducing soil N2O emissions by biochar, and the inhibition of biochar is influenced by the input amount and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyuan Liu
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Aiping Zhang
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Md Arifur Rahaman
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhengli Yang
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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Gao S, Wang D, Dangi SR, Duan Y, Pflaum T, Gartung J, Qin R, Turini T. Nitrogen dynamics affected by biochar and irrigation level in an onion field. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 714:136432. [PMID: 31986380 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Soil amended with biochar has many potential environmental benefits, but its influence on the fate of nitrogen (N) under irrigated conditions is unclear. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of biochar and interactions with irrigation on N movement in soil, gas emissions, and leaching. A three-year study was conducted in an onion field with three main irrigation treatments (50, 75, and 100% of a reference that provided sufficient water for plant growth) and three biochar amendment rates (0 or control, low char - applied first year at 29 Mg ha-1, and high char - added both first and second year for a total 58 Mg ha-1) as sub-treatments in a split-plot design. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied three times during first year growing season, but weekly the second year. Ammonia (NH3) volatilization, nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, and nitrate (NO3-) in soil pore water were monitored during growing season, and annual N (total and NO3-) changes in soil profile were determined for first two years. Nitrate leaching was measured in the third year. Ammonia volatilization was affected by fertilization frequency with higher loss (5-8% of total applied) when fertilizer was applied in large doses during the first year compared to the second year (4-5%). Nitrous oxide emissions were ≤0.1% of applied N for both years and not affected by any treatments or fertilization frequency. Nitrate concentration in soil profile increased significantly as irrigation level dropped, but most of the NO3- was leached by winter rain. There was no significant biochar effect on total N gas emissions or soil NO3- accumulation, but significant irrigation effect and interaction with biochar were determined on soil NO3- accumulation. High leaching was associated with biochar amendment and higher irrigation level. Irrigation strategies are the key to improving N management and developing the best practices associated with biochar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suduan Gao
- USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, 9611 South Riverbend Ave., Parlier, CA 93648, United States of America.
| | - Dong Wang
- USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, 9611 South Riverbend Ave., Parlier, CA 93648, United States of America
| | - Sadikshya R Dangi
- USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, 9611 South Riverbend Ave., Parlier, CA 93648, United States of America
| | - Yinghua Duan
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tom Pflaum
- USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, 9611 South Riverbend Ave., Parlier, CA 93648, United States of America
| | - Jim Gartung
- USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, 9611 South Riverbend Ave., Parlier, CA 93648, United States of America
| | - Ruijun Qin
- Oregon State University, Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center, Hermiston, OR 97838, United States of America
| | - Thomas Turini
- UCNAR, University of California Cooperative Extension, Fresno County, CA 93710, United States of America
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10
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Liao W, Liu C, Yuan Y, Gao Z, Nieder R, Roelcke M. Trade-offs of gaseous emissions from soils under vegetable, wheat-maize and apple orchard cropping systems applied with digestate: An incubation study. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2020; 70:108-120. [PMID: 31743075 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2019.1694091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Land application of digestate from anaerobic digestion causes various gaseous emissions. A soil core incubation experiment was carried out in the laboratory to investigate the trade-offs of NH3, N2O and CH4 emissions from soils collected from vegetable, arable and orchard cropping systems. Digestate derived from liquid cattle manure was applied to the soil cores through the surface (SA) and incorporation application (IA) methods under three soil moisture conditions (40%, 60%, and 80% water-filled pore space, WFPS). Gaseous emissions from vegetable soil were significantly greater (P< .05) than those from soils under the other two cropping systems under similar conditions, particularly under a high moisture condition. The greenhouse gas emissions (GHG, in term of CO2-equivalents) of all soils increased with the increasing soil moisture contents, mainly due to rapidly increasing N2O emissions. Trade-offs in the emissions of these three gases were observed between SA and IA. As expected, SA was characterized by greater NH3 and CH4 but lower N2O emissions compared to IA. The increase in GHG under IA could be offset only somewhat by the reduced NH3 (and this reduced indirect N2O) and CH4 emissions under lower moisture conditions (<60% WFPS), which indicates a requirement for other strategies to control gaseous emissions from wet soils applied with digestate. In conclusion, an environmentally friendly strategy for digestate application should consider the soil moisture, types of soils and application methods, and all the presented suggestions need to be verified in the field in the future.Implications: This study shows that digestate incorporation can decrease NH3 but increase GHG emissions verse the surface application method, where the increased GHG could only be offset by the NH3 reductions at relatively dry soil condition, indicating an urgent requirement to mitigating GHG emissions under moist soil condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Liao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory for Farmland Eco-Environment of Hebei Province, Baoding, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunjing Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory for Farmland Eco-Environment of Hebei Province, Baoding, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting Yuan
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory for Farmland Eco-Environment of Hebei Province, Baoding, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiling Gao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory for Farmland Eco-Environment of Hebei Province, Baoding, People's Republic of China
| | - Rolf Nieder
- Institute of Geoecology, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marco Roelcke
- Institute of Geoecology, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
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11
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Ribas A, Mattana S, Llurba R, Debouk H, Sebastià MT, Domene X. Biochar application and summer temperatures reduce N 2O and enhance CH 4 emissions in a Mediterranean agroecosystem: Role of biologically-induced anoxic microsites. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 685:1075-1086. [PMID: 31390698 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biochar applications have been proposed for mitigating some soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, results can range from mitigation to no effects. To explain these differences, mechanisms have been proposed but their reliability depends on biochar type, soil and climatic conditions. Furthermore, it is found that the mitigation capacity is dependent on how the biochar is aging under field conditions. The effects on N2O, CH4 and CO2 emission rates of a gasification pine biochar (applied as 0, 5, and 30 t ha-1) were studied between 8 and 21 months of the application in an alkaline soil cropped to barley under Mediterranean climate. Together with GHG, soil chemical and biological properties were assessed, namely, changes in labile organic matter content and nutrient status, and pH, as well as microbial abundance, activity, and functional composition. During the 2 years of the application, significant changes were observed at the highest rate of biochar application such as higher contents of water, K+, Mg2+, SO42-, higher basal respiration, and with non-significant changes in microbial community, though with some temporal effects. Regarding GHG, N2O decreases coupled with CH4 increases in the summer sampling were measured, although only for the highest application rate scenario. Such effects were unrelated to pH, bioavailable nitrogen status, or bulk soil microbial community shifts. We hypothesized that the key is the porous structure of our wood biochar, which is able to provide more and diversified microbial microhabitats in comparison to bulk soil. At higher temperatures in summer, biologically-induced anoxic conditions in biochar pores acting as microsites may be promoted, where total denitrification to N2 occurs which leads to N2O uptake, while CH4 production is promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ribas
- CREAF, E08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain; Univ Autònoma Barcelona, E08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - S Mattana
- CREAF, E08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - R Llurba
- GAMES group & Dep HBJ, ETSEA, University of Lleida, Lleida 25198, Spain; Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Global Change, Forest Sciences Centre of Catalonia, Solsona 25280, Spain
| | - H Debouk
- GAMES group & Dep HBJ, ETSEA, University of Lleida, Lleida 25198, Spain; Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Global Change, Forest Sciences Centre of Catalonia, Solsona 25280, Spain
| | - M T Sebastià
- GAMES group & Dep HBJ, ETSEA, University of Lleida, Lleida 25198, Spain; Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Global Change, Forest Sciences Centre of Catalonia, Solsona 25280, Spain
| | - X Domene
- CREAF, E08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain; Univ Autònoma Barcelona, E08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
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12
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Gao J, Zhao Y, Zhang W, Sui Y, Jin D, Xin W, Yi J, He D. Biochar prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures affects urea-nitrogen immobilization and N 2O emissions in paddy fields. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7027. [PMID: 31198642 PMCID: PMC6555392 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Food safety has become a major issue, with serious environmental pollution resulting from losses of nitrogen (N) fertilizers. N is a key element for plant growth and is often one of the most important yield-limiting nutrients in paddy soil. Urea-N immobilization is an important process for restoring the levels of soil nutrient depleted by rice production and sustaining productivity. The benefits of biochar application include improved soil fertility, altered N dynamics, and reduced nutrient leaching. However, due to high variability in the quality of biochar, the responses of N loss and rice productivity to biochar amendments, especially those prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures, are still unclear. The main objectives of the present study were to examine the effects of biochar prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures on fertilizer N immobilization in paddy soil and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods Two biochar samples were prepared by pyrolysis of maize straw at 400 °C (B400) and 700 °C (B700), respectively. The biochar was applied to paddy soil at three rates (0, 0.7, and 2.1%, w/w), with or without N fertilization (0, 168, and 210 kg N ha–1). Pot experiments were performed to determine nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and 15N recovery from paddy soil using a 15N tracer across the rice growing season. Results Compared with the non-biochar control, biochar significantly decreased soil bulk density while increasing soil porosity, irrespective of pyrolysis temperature and N fertilizer level. Under B400 and B700, a high biochar rate decreased N loss rate to 66.42 and 68.90%, whereas a high N level increased it to 77.21 and 76.99%, respectively. Biochar also markedly decreased N2O emissions to 1.06 (B400) and 0.75 kg ha−1 (B700); low-N treatment caused a decrease in N2O emissions under B400, but this decrease was not observed under B700. An application rate of biochar of 2.1% plus 210 kg ha−1 N fertilizer substantially decreased the N fertilizer-induced N2O emission factor under B400, whereas under B700 no significant difference was observed. Biochar combined with N fertilizer treatment decreased rice biomass and grain yield by an average of 51.55 and 23.90 g pot–1, respectively, but the yield reduction under B700 was lower than under B400. Conclusion Irrespective of pyrolysis temperature, biochar had a positive effect on residual soil 15N content, while it negatively affected the 15N recovery of rice, N2O emissions from soil, rice biomass, and grain yield in the first year. Generally, a high application rate of biochar prepared at high or low pyrolysis temperature reduced the N fertilizer-induced N2O emission factor considerably. These biochar effects were dependent on N fertilizer level, biochar application rate, and their interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiping Gao
- Rice Research Institute, Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Agronomy College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yanze Zhao
- Rice Research Institute, Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Agronomy College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Wenzhong Zhang
- Rice Research Institute, Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Agronomy College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yanghui Sui
- Rice Research Institute, Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Agronomy College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.,Corn Research Institute, Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Dandan Jin
- Rice Research Institute, Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Agronomy College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Xin
- Rice Research Institute, Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Agronomy College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jun Yi
- Rice Research Institute, Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Agronomy College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Dawei He
- Rice Research Institute, Liaoning Biochar Engineering & Technology Research Center, Agronomy College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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13
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Coleman BSL, Easton ZM, Bock EM. Biochar fails to enhance nutrient removal in woodchip bioreactor columns following saturation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 232:490-498. [PMID: 30502616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.11.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Denitrifying bioreactors are edge-of-field structures that remove excess nitrogen (N) from intercepted agricultural drainage by supporting the activity of denitrifying microorganisms with a saturated organic carbon substrate. Although these bioreactors successfully mitigate N export, the typical woodchip systems have little effect on phosphorus (P), which is also often present in environmentally harmful quantities in drainage waters. Currently, the evidence that amending woodchip bioreactors with biochar enhances both N and P removal rates is mixed, but more work is required to test this hypothesis under controlled conditions. To determine the effect of biochar amendment on nitrate (NO3-N) and phosphate (PO4-P) removal in woodchip bioreactors, three media types-aged woodchips (W), 10% (B10) and 30% (B30) biochar by volume-were tested under different operational conditions during five-day laboratory trials with horizontal, flow-through columns. Nutrient removal was observed under different flow rates yielding hydraulic residence times of 3, 6, and 12 hours with four formulations of simulated agricultural drainage, all combination of 16.1 or 4.5 mg L-1 NO3-N and 1.9 or 0.6 mg L-1 PO4-P. Each unique treatment with respect to media type, HRT, and influent formulation was tested in triplicate using independent columns. All treatments successfully removed NO3-N, but PO4-P removal was inconsistent. Cumulative NO3-N removal efficiencies ranged 15-98% with an average removal rate of 11.0 g m-3 d-1; biochar amendment enhanced removal only in response to sufficiently high loading rates. Cumulative PO4-P removal efficiencies ranged from 66% removal to 170% export of the influent load; biochar addition was associated with increased export. These results indicate that pine-feedstock biochar poses a substantial increase to PO4-P leaching risk and only modestly enhances NO3-N removal given sufficiently high loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brady S L Coleman
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, 200 Seitz Hall (0303), 155 Ag Quad Lane, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 23061 USA
| | - Zachary M Easton
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, 200 Seitz Hall (0303), 155 Ag Quad Lane, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 23061 USA
| | - Emily M Bock
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, 200 Seitz Hall (0303), 155 Ag Quad Lane, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 23061 USA.
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14
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Li J, Wang JT, Hu HW, Cai ZJ, Lei YR, Li W, Zhang MY, Li ZM, Zhu YN, Cui LJ. Changes of the denitrifying communities in a multi-stage free water surface constructed wetland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 650:1419-1425. [PMID: 30308829 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms play crucial roles in the nitrogen removal processes of wetlands. However, the key functional genes and microbes related to the nitrogen removal remain largely unknown in the free water surface constructed wetland (FWS CW). Here we studied the abundances of denitrifiers by targeting the key functional genes (nirS, nirK and nosZ) and investigated the community compositions of denitrifiers and their correlations with the abiotic variables in a FWS CW. The increase of nosZ/(nirS + nirK) and nirS/nirK ratios in the outlet indicated a shift of denitrifiers' communities which tended to release less nitrous oxide at the genetic potential level. The denitrifiers dominated the bacterial community which also remarkably changed from the inlet to the outlet. PICRUSt analysis revealed that the denitrifiers contributed to 39.1% of the nitrogen metabolism, 38.9% of the amino acid metabolism and 25.6% of the amino acid related enzymes. Four bacterial genera including Hydrogenophaga, Hylemonella, Aquabacterium and Cellvibrio were detected as the putative keystone denitrifiers. The abundance (nirS, nirK and nosZ) and the relative abundance of putative keystone denitrifiers were significantly correlated with total organic carbon, oxidation-reduction potential and C/N ratio, which could be regarded as the determinants for the denitrification process in the free water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Hanshiqiao National Wetland Ecosystem Research Station, Beijing 101399, China
| | - Jun-Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Hang-Wei Hu
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Zhang-Jie Cai
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Hanshiqiao National Wetland Ecosystem Research Station, Beijing 101399, China
| | - Yin-Ru Lei
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Hanshiqiao National Wetland Ecosystem Research Station, Beijing 101399, China
| | - Wei Li
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Hanshiqiao National Wetland Ecosystem Research Station, Beijing 101399, China
| | - Man-Yin Zhang
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Hanshiqiao National Wetland Ecosystem Research Station, Beijing 101399, China
| | - Zong-Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yi-Nuo Zhu
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Hanshiqiao National Wetland Ecosystem Research Station, Beijing 101399, China
| | - Li-Juan Cui
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration, Beijing 100091, China; Beijing Hanshiqiao National Wetland Ecosystem Research Station, Beijing 101399, China.
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15
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Lanza G, Stang A, Kern J, Wirth S, Gessler A. Degradability of raw and post-processed chars in a two-year field experiment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 628-629:1600-1608. [PMID: 30045576 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The object of the present work was to analyse the degradation dynamics of four chars and a digestate applied to a sandy soil as well as possible initial priming effects on the mineralisation of soil organic carbon in a two-year field experiment. For that purpose, soil carbon content, soil respiration and the corresponding carbon isotopic abundances were repeatedly measured throughout two consecutive vegetation periods. In order to quantify and separate the amount and the degradation of the substrate-derived carbon and to assess soil priming effects, isotopic mixing models were applied to soil-derived and substrate-derived carbon, and to the respired CO2. Pyrolysis char was degraded with decreasing intensity over time with an estimated half-life of about 80years. HTC (HydroThermal Carbonisation) char showed a high degradation during the first year but, during the second year, the remaining recalcitrant pool was degraded much slower with a half-life between 49 and 61years. Digestate was degraded at a constant intensity with a half-life of about 14years. When the chars were fermented before being applied to the soil, the initial degradation of HTC char was reduced, but on the two-year scale, the degradation of both chars was higher than for untreated chars, yielding a half-life between 11 and 15years, comparable to digestate. The results showed considerable stability of the untreated pyrolysis and HTC chars under field conditions, and moreover, no net influence of chars as well as of digestate on the degradation of soil organic carbon after two years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Lanza
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Anja Stang
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jürgen Kern
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stephan Wirth
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Arthur Gessler
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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16
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Fagbohungbe MO, Herbert BMJ, Hurst L, Ibeto CN, Li H, Usmani SQ, Semple KT. The challenges of anaerobic digestion and the role of biochar in optimizing anaerobic digestion. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 61:236-249. [PMID: 27923546 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Biochar, like most other adsorbents, is a carbonaceous material, which is formed from the combustion of plant materials, in low-zero oxygen conditions and results in a material, which has the capacity to sorb chemicals onto its surfaces. Currently, research is being carried out to investigate the relevance of biochar in improving the soil ecosystem, digestate quality and most recently the anaerobic digestion process. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic substrates provides both a sustainable source of energy and a digestate with the potential to enhance plant growth and soil health. In order to ensure that these benefits are realised, the anaerobic digestion system must be optimized for process stability and high nutrient retention capacity in the digestate produced. Substrate-induced inhibition is a major issue, which can disrupt the stable functioning of the AD system reducing microbial breakdown of the organic waste and formation of methane, which in turn reduces energy output. Likewise, the spreading of digestate on land can often result in nutrient loss, surface runoff and leaching. This review will examine substrate inhibition and their impact on anaerobic digestion, nutrient leaching and their environmental implications, the properties and functionality of biochar material in counteracting these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael O Fagbohungbe
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Ben M J Herbert
- Stopford Energy and Environment, Merseyton Road, Ellesmere Port, Chester CH65 3AD, United Kingdom
| | - Lois Hurst
- Stopford Energy and Environment, Merseyton Road, Ellesmere Port, Chester CH65 3AD, United Kingdom
| | - Cynthia N Ibeto
- National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Hong Li
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Shams Q Usmani
- Ariva Technology, The Heath Business and Technical Park, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 4EB, United Kingdom
| | - Kirk T Semple
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
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17
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Sun Z, Sänger A, Rebensburg P, Lentzsch P, Wirth S, Kaupenjohann M, Meyer-Aurich A. Contrasting effects of biochar on N 2O emission and N uptake at different N fertilizer levels on a temperate sandy loam. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 578:557-565. [PMID: 27842961 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Biochar has been frequently suggested as an amendment to improve soil quality and mitigate climate change. To investigate the optimal management of nitrogen (N) fertilization, we examined the combined effect of biochar and N fertilizer on plant N uptake and N2O emissions in a cereal rotation system in a randomized two-factorial field experiment on a sandy loam soil in Brandenburg, Germany. The biochar treatment received 10Mgha-1 wood-derived biochar in September 2012. Four levels of N fertilizer, corresponding to 0, 50%, 100%, 130% of the recommended fertilizer level, were applied in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)) and winter rye (Secale cereal L.) in 2013 and 2014 followed by the catch crop oil radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiformis). Biomass and N uptake of winter wheat and winter rye were significantly affected by the level of N fertilizer but not by biochar. For N uptake of oil radish an interaction effect was observed for biochar and N fertilizer. Without applied fertilizer, 39% higher N uptake was found in the presence of biochar, accompanied by higher soil NH4+ content and elevated cumulative CO2 emissions. At 130% of the recommended fertilizer level, 16% lower N uptake and lower cumulative N2O emissions were found in the biochar-mediated treatment. No significant change in abundance of microbial groups and nosZ gene were observed. Our results highlight that biochar can have a greenhouse gas mitigation effect at high levels of N supply and may stimulate nutrient uptake when no N is supplied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhencai Sun
- Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Potsdam, Germany; College of Environment and Resources, Anhui Agricultural Univeristy, Hefei, China
| | - Anja Sänger
- Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Philip Rebensburg
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Institute of Landscape Biogeochemistry, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Peter Lentzsch
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Institute of Landscape Biogeochemistry, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Wirth
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Institute of Landscape Biogeochemistry, Müncheberg, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Meyer-Aurich
- Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Potsdam, Germany.
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18
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Gas entrapment and microbial N 2O reduction reduce N 2O emissions from a biochar-amended sandy clay loam soil. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39574. [PMID: 28008997 PMCID: PMC5180216 DOI: 10.1038/srep39574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas that is produced during microbial nitrogen transformation processes such as nitrification and denitrification. Soils represent the largest sources of N2O emissions with nitrogen fertilizer application being the main driver of rising atmospheric N2O concentrations. Soil biochar amendment has been proposed as a promising tool to mitigate N2O emissions from soils. However, the underlying processes that cause N2O emission suppression in biochar-amended soils are still poorly understood. We set up microcosm experiments with fertilized, wet soil in which we used 15N tracing techniques and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to investigate the impact of biochar on mineral and gaseous nitrogen dynamics and denitrification-specific functional marker gene abundance and expression. In accordance with previous studies our results showed that biochar addition can lead to a significant decrease in N2O emissions. Furthermore, we determined significantly higher quantities of soil-entrapped N2O and N2 in biochar microcosms and a biochar-induced increase in typical and atypical nosZ transcript copy numbers. Our findings suggest that biochar-induced N2O emission mitigation is based on the entrapment of N2O in water-saturated pores of the soil matrix and concurrent stimulation of microbial N2O reduction resulting in an overall decrease of the N2O/(N2O + N2) ratio.
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19
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Schmalenberger A, Fox A. Bacterial Mobilization of Nutrients From Biochar-Amended Soils. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2016; 94:109-59. [PMID: 26917243 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Soil amendments with biochar to improve soil fertility and increase soil carbon stocks have received some high-level attention. Physical and chemical analyses of amended soils and biochars from various feedstocks are reported, alongside some evaluations of plant growth promotion capabilities. Fewer studies investigated the soil microbiota and their potential to increase cycling and mobilization of nutrients in biochar-amended soils. This review is discussing the latest findings in the bacterial contribution to cycling and mobilizing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur in biochar-amended soils and potential contributions to plant growth promotion. Depending on feedstock, pyrolysis, soil type, and plant cover, changes in the bacterial community structure were observed for a majority of the studies using amplicon sequencing or genetic fingerprinting methods. Prokaryotic nitrification largely depends on the availability of ammonium and can vary considerably under soil biochar amendment. However, denitrification to di-nitrogen and in particular, nitrous oxide reductase activity is commonly enhanced, resulting in reduced nitrous oxide emissions. Likewise, bacterial fixation of di-nitrogen appears to be regularly enhanced. A paucity of studies suggests that bacterial mobilization of phosphorus and sulfur is enhanced as well. However, most studies only tested for extracellular sulfatase and phosphatase activity. Further research is needed to reveal details of the bacterial nutrient mobilizing capabilities and this is in particular the case for the mobilization of phosphorus and sulfur.
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