The role of biochar porosity and surface functionality in augmenting hydrologic properties of a sandy soil

Suliman, Waled; Harsh, James B.; Abu-Lail, Nehal I.; Fortuna, Ann‐Marie; Dallmeyer, Ian; Garcı̀a-Pèrez, Manuel

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.025

Cited by 230 publications

(120 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…For example, Suliman et al . () found that maize straw biochar and beech wood biochar had different porosities and different surface functionalities, and they had clearly contrasting effects on the hydrologic properties of a sandy soil. Wang et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar enhances soil hydraulic function but not soil aggregation in a sandy loam

Zhou

Fang

Zhang

et al. 2018

European J Soil Science

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Summary Biochar has the potential to modify soil structure and soil hydraulic properties because of its small particle density, highly porous structure, grain size distribution and surface chemistry. However, knowledge of the long‐term effects of biochar on soil physical properties under field conditions is limited. Using an 8‐year field trial, we investigated the effects of successive additions of high‐dose maize‐cob‐derived biochar (9.0 t ha−1 year−1, HB), low‐dose maize‐cob‐derived biochar (4.5 t ha−1 year−1, LB), straw return (SR) and control (no biochar or straw, CK) on soil aggregate distribution, three‐dimensional (3‐D) pore structure, hydraulic conductivity and water retention in the upper 10 cm of a sandy loam soil from the North China Plain. Results showed that LB and HB treatments increased soil organic C content by 61.0–116.3% relative to CK. Interestingly, biochar amendment did not enhance the proportion of macroaggregates (> 2 and 0.25–2 mm) or aggregate stability, indicating limited positive effects on soil aggregation. The HB treatment decreased soil bulk density, and increased total porosity and macroporosity (> 30 μm). The retention of soil water, including gravitational water (0–33 kPa), capillary water (33–3100 kPa) and hygroscopic water (> 3100 kPa), was improved under HB soil. The HB and LB treatments increased plant‐available water content by 17.8 and 10.1%, respectively, compared with CK. In contrast, SR showed no significant increase in soil porosity and water retention capacity but improved the water stability of macroaggregates. We concluded that biochar used in the coarse‐textured soil enhanced saturated hydraulic conductivity and water‐holding capacity, but did not improve soil aggregation. Highlights Pore structure and hydraulic properties were studied in an 8‐year biochar‐amended sandy loam. HB (high‐dose biochar) increased total soil porosity and CT‐identified macroporosity (> 30 μm). Water retention improved under HB soil. Biochar addition had no effect on the formation of macroaggregates.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar enhances soil hydraulic function but not soil aggregation in a sandy loam

Zhou

Fang

Zhang

et al. 2018

European J Soil Science

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“…The specific surface area of biochar used in this study was high (2.5 m 2 g −1 ), which may have enhanced N retention. Biochar can also enhance water retention capacity of soil due to its high porosity and surface functionality (Tammeorg et al, 2014;Suliman et al, 2017). Biochar can also enhance water retention capacity of soil due to its high porosity and surface functionality (Tammeorg et al, 2014;Suliman et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tillage and Biochar Effects on Wheat Productivity under Arid Conditions

et al. 2019

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Urea is an important source of inorganic N under wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production system in Multan, Pakistan. However, the average N loss is high, ranging from 22 to 53% of applied N, which poses adverse environmental impacts. Reduced tillage and combined application of biochar and optimal N fertilizer could improve wheat productivity and reduce N losses. We evaluated the effects of two tillage (conventional and reduced tillage), two biochar (no biochar and poultry waste biochar), and three inorganic N rate (0, 60, and 120 kg ha−1) treatments on productivity and economic profitability of wheat production for two continuous growing seasons (2014–2015 and 2015–2016). Generally, reduced tillage increased wheat grain yield, protein content, and total N uptake by 0.2 Mg ha−1, 3.0 kg kg−1, and 37.0 kg ha−1, respectively, when compared with conventional tillage. Biochar application increased wheat grain yield, protein content, and total N uptake by 0.3 Mg ha−1, 6.8 kg kg−1, and 38.6 kg ha−1, respectively, compared with no‐biochar plots. Reduced tillage was economically profitable within the two cropping seasons, but biochar application was not, because of the high price of biochar (US$1.00 kg−1 biochar) and application rate (10 Mg biochar ha−1). Overall, wheat production under reduced tillage, no biochar, and the 60‐kg N ha−1 rate resulted in the greatest economic profit in this study.

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“…Oxidation by limited amounts of air was used, for example, to modify the properties of biochar by Suliman and colleagues [164]. They used low-temperature physical activation by oxygen ("post-pyrolysis oxidation" at 250 • C) to optimize biochars for their application to increase soil water retention.…”

Section: Physical Activationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activated Carbon, Biochar and Charcoal: Linkages and Synergies across Pyrogenic Carbon’s ABCs

Hagemann

Spokas

Schmidt³

et al. 2018

Water

225

100

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Biochar and activated carbon, both carbonaceous pyrogenic materials, are important products for environmental technology and intensively studied for a multitude of purposes. A strict distinction between these materials is not always possible, and also a generally accepted terminology is lacking. However, research on both materials is increasingly overlapping: sorption and remediation are the domain of activated carbon, which nowadays is also addressed by studies on biochar. Thus, awareness of both fields of research and knowledge about the distinction of biochar and activated carbon is necessary for designing novel research on pyrogenic carbonaceous materials. Here, we describe the dividing ranges and common grounds of biochar, activated carbon and other pyrogenic carbonaceous materials such as charcoal based on their history, definition and production technologies. This review also summarizes thermochemical conversions and non-thermal pre-and post-treatments that are used to produce biochar and activated carbon. Our overview shows that biochar research should take advantage of the numerous techniques of activation and modification to tailor biochars for their intended applications.

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The role of biochar porosity and surface functionality in augmenting hydrologic properties of a sandy soil

Cited by 230 publications

References 25 publications

Biochar enhances soil hydraulic function but not soil aggregation in a sandy loam

Biochar enhances soil hydraulic function but not soil aggregation in a sandy loam

Tillage and Biochar Effects on Wheat Productivity under Arid Conditions

Activated Carbon, Biochar and Charcoal: Linkages and Synergies across Pyrogenic Carbon’s ABCs

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