Microbial response to designer biochar and compost treatments for mining impacted soils

Ducey, Thomas F.; Novak, Jeffrey M.; Sigua, Gilbert C.; Ippolito, James A.; Rushmiller, Hannah C.; Watts, D. W.; Trippe, Kristin M.; Spokas, Kurt A.; Stone, K. C.; Johnson, Mark G.

doi:10.1007/s42773-021-00093-3

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…The PL 5% with compost treatment resulted in the highest microbial biomass (mean: 62.82 nmol g −1 dry soil), with the unamended control having the lowest (mean: 15.6 nmol g −1 dry soil). These results are identical to those reported by Ducey et al [19] for buffalograss. It is possible that use of fresh, as opposed to weathered, beef cattle manure would have more closely resembled the poultry litter biochar treatments, at least regarding microbial biomass.…”

Section: Microbial Biomasssupporting

confidence: 93%

“…This was observed in the 2.5% PL biochar/5% compost treatment (Figure 1), indicating that amendment rate has an impactful role in reducing water-soluble Cd and Zn soil concentrations. Overall, these results are similar to the results of Novak et al [18] and Ducey et al [19] in these same mining impacted soils. While these studies reported different plant species (switchgrass and buffalograss, respectively), they demonstrated the ability of manurederived biochars to reduce Cd and Zn soil concentrations with increasing biochar and compost application rates, while concomitantly improving soil conditions to allow for plant growth.…”

Section: Post-treatment Soil Analysissupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The relationship between pH and microbial community structure is not surprising, as pH is one of the main drivers of soil microbial diversity [42]. This result has also been observed in the previously mentioned, related study by Ducey et al [19], using switchgrass and buffalograss grown in the same mining impacted soil. In addition to driving changes in microbial community structure directly, increases to soil pH can result in decreases to heavy metal solubility [43].…”

Section: Soil Microbial Community Structuresupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Novak et al [18] utilized the designer biochar approach on these mining impacted soils, demonstrating that three different biochars, coupled with compost, could significantly decrease bioavailable Cd and Zn concentrations, and allowed for growth of switchgrass. Additionally, Ducey et al [19] reported that two manure-derived biochars supported growth of two grasses, Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) and Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss), and that grass type significantly influenced microbial biomass, activity, and community structure. Sigua et al [20] further expounded on this biochar research to support phytostabilization efforts with maize (Zea mays L.).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sigua et al [20] further expounded on this biochar research to support phytostabilization efforts with maize (Zea mays L.). Given Ducey et al's [19] previously documented influence of plant type on microbial structure and function in this mining impacted soil, it is critical to understand the dynamics between microbes, biochar, compost, and maize; to date, there is a paucity of relevant data. Despite this knowledge gap, given prior results with other plant species, we hypothesize that microbial populations will respond favorably to biochar and compost amendment under maize phytostabilization in these mine impacted soils.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microbial Response to Phytostabilization in Mining Impacted Soils Using Maize in Conjunction with Biochar and Compost

et al. 2021

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Even after remediation, mining impacted soils can leave behind a landscape inhospitable to plant growth and containing residual heavy metals. While phytostabilization can be used to restore such sites by limiting heavy metal spread, it is reliant on soil capable of supporting plant growth. Manure-based biochars, coupled with compost, have demonstrated the ability to improve soil growth conditions in mine impacted soils, however there is a paucity of information regarding their influence on resident microbial populations. The objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of these soil amendments on microbial community structure and function in mine impacted soils placed under phytostabilization management with maize. To this aim, a combination of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and enzymatic analyses were performed. Results indicate that microbial biomass is significantly increased upon addition of biochar and compost, with maximal microbial biomass achieved with 5% poultry litter biochar and compost (62.82 nmol g−1 dry soil). Microbial community structure was impacted by biochar type, rate of application, and compost addition, and influenced by pH (r2 = 0.778), EC (r2 = 0.467), and Mg soil concentrations (r2 = 0.453). In three of the four enzymes analyzed, poultry litter biochar treatments were observed with increased activity rates that were often significantly greater than the unamended control. Overall, enzyme activities rates were influenced by biochar type and rate, and addition of compost. These results suggest that using a combination of biochar and compost can be utilized as a management tool to support phytostabilization strategies in mining impacted soils.

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Section: Microbial Biomasssupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Post-treatment Soil Analysissupporting

confidence: 90%