Characterization of soil amendment potential of 18 different biochar types produced by slow pyrolysis

Year 2019, Volume: 8 Issue: 4, 329 - 339, 01.10.2019

Hikmet Günal Ömer Bayram Elif Günal Halil Erdem

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.599760

Cited By: 5

Abstract

Feedstock
type is the most dominant factor influencing the physical characteristics and
chemical composition of biochar. The main purpose of this study was to
characterize and compare some of the physical and chemical properties of
biochars produced by slow pyrolysis of 18 feedstocks, which are locally
available agricultural residues. Moreover, elucidating the potential agronomic
benefits of these biochars was the other objective of the study. Biochars were
produced at 500 ^oC in an ingeniously developed reactor. The biochars
were characterized for specific surface area (SSA), field capacity (FC),
wilting point (WP), plant available water content (AW), pH, electrical
conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total carbon (C) and
nitrogen (N), plant available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations.
Considerable variation of characteristics among biochars indicates the dominant
impact of feedstock type on physical properties and chemical composition of
biochars. Total C contents were highly variable with values up to 91.9% for
pine sawdust. Phosphorus and K in feedstocks were concentrated in the biochars
and were two to four times higher in the biochars. The CEC of biochars varied
from 79.5 cmol kg^-1 (pepper residues) to 5.77 cmol kg^-1
(poplar sawdust). The CEC and SSA had a significant negative correlation
(P<0.01, r= -0.70) that probably be attributed to the loss of functional
groups during pyrolysis. The results revealed that depending on the feedstock,
some biochars have potential to serve as nutrient sources as well as an
additive to improve soil quality.

Keywords

Agricultural residues, feedstock type, biochar, physical and chemical properties, soil quality

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