Biochar compost blends facilitate switchgrass growth in mine soils by reducing Cd and Zn bioavailability

Novak, Jeffrey M.; Ippolito, James A.; Watts, D. W.; Sigua, Gilbert C.; Ducey, Thomas F.; Johnson, Mark G.

doi:10.1007/s42773-019-00004-7

Cited by 85 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…In a previous seed germination study, we showed that the PL, 55, SS, and to a lesser extent 82, SG, and PC biochars increased pH vs. the controls across plant species depending to some extent on soil type, with the largest increase to about pH 6.7 for PL pyrolyzed at 700°C vs. 5.6 for the controls across the Coxville and Norfolk soils (Olszyk et al, 2018). A similar increase in soil pH was seen with PL biochar in research with a low pH mine soil (Novak et al, 2019). These increases in soil pH would lower the solubility of Fe, Mn, and Zn, thus decreasing their concentrations in solution (Barber, 1984).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Biochar Affects Essential Nutrients of Carrot Taproots and Lettuce Leaves

Olszyk¹,

Shiroyama²,

Novak³

et al. 2020

horts

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Essential nutrient concentrations in crops can affect human health. While biochar has the potential as a soil amendment to improve crop yields, it may also affect the concentrations of nutrients such as Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, and Zn in edible portions of crops. To better characterize effects of biochar on important human nutrients in food crops, we evaluated the effects of biochar on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Black-Seeded Simpson) leaf and carrot [Daucus carota subsp. sativus (Hoffm.) Schübl. cv. Tendersweet] developing taproot nutrients. Plants were grown in pots in a greenhouse using sandy loam (Coxville, fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Paleaquults) and loamy sand (Norfolk, fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kandiudults,) series soils, amended with biochar produced from four feedstocks: pine chips (PC), poultry litter (PL), swine solids (SS), and switchgrass (SG); and two blends of PC plus PL [PC/PL, 50%/50% (55) and 80%/20% (82) by weight]. Biochar was produced at 350, 500, and 700 °C from each feedstock. Lettuce leaf and carrot taproot total nutrient concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma analysis. Biochar (especially at least in part manure-based, i.e., PL, SS, 55, and 82 at nearly all temperatures) primarily decreased nutrient concentrations in lettuce leaves, with Ca, Mg, and Zn affected most. Carrot taproot nutrient concentrations also deceased, but to a lesser extent. Some biochars increased leaf or taproot nutrient concentrations, especially K. This study indicated that biochar can both decrease and increase leaf and taproot nutrient concentrations important for human health. Thus, potential effects on nutrients in plants should be carefully considered when biochar is used as a soil amendment with vegetable crops.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Biochar Affects Essential Nutrients of Carrot Taproots and Lettuce Leaves

Olszyk¹,

Shiroyama²,

Novak³

et al. 2020

horts

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“…Over shorter time scales (e.g., one to several years), biochars have been proven to improve environmental quality by sorbing heavy metals and organic contaminants (e.g., Sigua et al 2019;Cui et al 2019;Novak et al 2019a), positively affect soil water relations (e.g., Lentz et al 2019;Kammann et al 2011), reduce greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., Fuertes-Mendizábal et al 2019;Borchard et al 2018;Jeffery et al 2016), and improve crop growth (e.g., Laird et al 2017;Novak et al 2016;Liu et al 2013). Although creation of biochars for the above purposes may seem simply based on feedstock selection, biochar production for environmental improvements is complex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feedstock choice, pyrolysis temperature and type influence biochar characteristics: a comprehensive meta-data analysis review

Ippolito

Cui

Kammann

et al. 2020

Biochar

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Various studies have established that feedstock choice, pyrolysis temperature, and pyrolysis type influence final biochar physicochemical characteristics. However, overarching analyses of pre-biochar creation choices and correlations to biochar characteristics are severely lacking. Thus, the objective of this work was to help researchers, biochar-stakeholders, and practitioners make more well-informed choices in terms of how these three major parameters influence the final biochar product. Utilizing approximately 5400 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 50,800 individual data points, herein we elucidate the selections that influence final biochar physical and chemical properties, total nutrient content, and perhaps more importantly tools one can use to predict biochar’s nutrient availability. Based on the large dataset collected, it appears that pyrolysis type (fast or slow) plays a minor role in biochar physico- (inorganic) chemical characteristics; few differences were evident between production styles. Pyrolysis temperature, however, affects biochar’s longevity, with pyrolysis temperatures > 500 °C generally leading to longer-term (i.e., > 1000 years) half-lives. Greater pyrolysis temperatures also led to biochars containing greater overall C and specific surface area (SSA), which could promote soil physico-chemical improvements. However, based on the collected data, it appears that feedstock selection has the largest influence on biochar properties. Specific surface area is greatest in wood-based biochars, which in combination with pyrolysis temperature could likely promote greater changes in soil physical characteristics over other feedstock-based biochars. Crop- and other grass-based biochars appear to have cation exchange capacities greater than other biochars, which in combination with pyrolysis temperature could potentially lead to longer-term changes in soil nutrient retention. The collected data also suggest that one can reasonably predict the availability of various biochar nutrients (e.g., N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Cu) based on feedstock choice and total nutrient content. Results can be used to create designer biochars to help solve environmental issues and supply a variety of plant-available nutrients for crop growth.

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“…Additionally, the results of Hartley et al [58] and Case et al [59] showed that biochar can be used in combination with Miscanthus for phytostabilization of Cd and Zn in contaminated soils. Novak et al [60] from their most recent study on using blends of compost and biochars concluded that the designer biochar is an important management component in developing successful mine site phytostabilization program.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytostabilization of Zn and Cd in Mine Soil Using Corn in Combination with Biochars and Manure-Based Compost

et al. 2019

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Mining activities could produce a large volume of spoils, waste rocks, and tailings, which are usually deposited at the surface and become a source of metal pollution. Phytostabilization of the mine spoils could limit the spread of these heavy metals. Phytostabilization can be enhanced by using soil amendments such as manure-based biochars capable of immobilizing metal(loid)s when combined with plant species that are tolerant of high levels of contaminants while simultaneously improving properties of mine soils. However, the use of manure-based biochars and other organic amendments for mine spoil remediation are still unclear. In this greenhouse study, we evaluated the interactive effect of biochar additions (BA) with or without the manure-based compost (MBC) on the shoots biomass (SBY), roots biomass (RBY), uptake, and bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Zn and Cd in corn (Zea mays L.) grown in mine soil. Biochar additions consisting of beef cattle manure (BCM); poultry litter (PL); and lodge pole pine (LPP) were applied at 0, 2.5, and 5.0% (w/w) in combination with different rates (0, 2.5, and 5.0%, w/w) of MBC, respectively. Shoots and roots uptake of Cd and Zn were significantly affected by BA, MBC, and the interaction of BA and MBC. Corn plants that received 2.5% PL and 2.5% BCM had the greatest Cd and Zn shoot uptake, respectively. Corn plants with 5% BCM had the greatest Cd and Zn root uptake. When averaged across BA, the greatest BCF for Cd in the shoot of 92.3 was from the application of BCM and the least BCF was from the application of PL (72.8). Our results suggest that the incorporation of biochar enhanced phytostabilization of Cd and Zn with concentrations of water-soluble Cd and Zn lowest in soils amended with manure-based biochars while improving the biomass productivity of corn. Overall, the phytostabilization technique and biochar additions have the potential to be combined in the remediation of heavy metals polluted soils.

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Biochar compost blends facilitate switchgrass growth in mine soils by reducing Cd and Zn bioavailability

Cited by 85 publications

References 66 publications

Biochar Affects Essential Nutrients of Carrot Taproots and Lettuce Leaves

Biochar Affects Essential Nutrients of Carrot Taproots and Lettuce Leaves

Feedstock choice, pyrolysis temperature and type influence biochar characteristics: a comprehensive meta-data analysis review

Phytostabilization of Zn and Cd in Mine Soil Using Corn in Combination with Biochars and Manure-Based Compost

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