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14 pages, 1585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interactive Effect of Biochar and Bio-Compost on Starting Growth and Physiologic Parameters of Argan

by Hassan El Moussaoui and Laila Bouqbis

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7270; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127270 - 14 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1898

Abstract

The argan tree, which is found in southern Morocco, is characterized by environmental, economic and nutritional benefits, but the growth of this tree is very slow. This makes it necessary to find methods to accelerate its growth. A pot experiment was conducted to [...] Read more.

The argan tree, which is found in southern Morocco, is characterized by environmental, economic and nutritional benefits, but the growth of this tree is very slow. This makes it necessary to find methods to accelerate its growth. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of biochar (BC) and bio-compost (CP) each applied at the rate of 0, 3 and 6% (M/M) on starting growth of argan in fine silty soil for sixteen months. Main stem length, diameter, durability ratio, total length of all stems and number of sprouted shoots were measured every two months with two photosynthetic measurements spaced five months apart for each argan seedling. Despite the strong signs of epigenetic sensitivity and genetic variability across the argan behavior of each treatment depending on the duration and environmental conditions of the crop and the large standard deviations marked in all the tests that were conducted on the argan, some treatments showed interesting results, even in terms of the interaction between climatic conditions, type of treatment and type of test. The argan plants which were grown in the substrate at 6% BC 3% CP showed significant results for all the growth parameters studied and throughout the test. This mixture marked an average water holding capacity (WHC) of around 0.66 g H₂O/g dw; the argan seedlings showed the best perimeter average, which exceeded 2.7 cm in the last measurement, with a ratio (height/diameter) strictly less than 7, which removes any possible problem of argan filiform. However, argan plants from all treatments were not stable in the growth characteristics studied; each treatment has advantages and disadvantages regarding argan. Transplantation and monitoring in the field of argan seedlings that have had interesting results are strongly recommended to see if the good starting growth influences their development in the field or if it is a temporary effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Biochar for a Sustainable Future)

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16 pages, 2194 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of Biochar Materials from Biowaste Coffee Grounds and Assessment of Its Adsorbent Efficiency for Remediation of Water-Soluble Pharmaceuticals

by Vuyokazi Zungu, Lungile Hadebe, Philani Mpungose, Izzeldin Hamza, James Amaku and Bhekumuzi Gumbi

Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2931; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052931 - 2 Mar 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3900

Abstract

Biowaste coffee grounds have been recognized as an effective and relatively low-cost adsorbent to complement conventional treatment techniques for removing emerging contaminants (ECs) from the waste stream through modification to useful biochar. The purpose of this study was to make biochar from biowaste [...] Read more.

Biowaste coffee grounds have been recognized as an effective and relatively low-cost adsorbent to complement conventional treatment techniques for removing emerging contaminants (ECs) from the waste stream through modification to useful biochar. The purpose of this study was to make biochar from biowaste coffee grounds through the pyrolysis process and investigate its potential capacity for the removal of pharmaceuticals from water. The biochar was prepared by pyrolysis process under argon gas conditions, and its adsorption capacity for pharmaceuticals was evaluated. The as-prepared biochar shows a surface area of 232 m² g⁻¹. The adsorption of salicylic acid, diclofenac, and caffeine onto the biochar show adsorption capacities of 40.47 mg g⁻¹, 38.52 mg g⁻¹, and 75.46 mg g⁻¹, respectively. The morphology, functional groups, crystallinity, and specific surface area were determined by SEM, FTIR, XRD, and BET techniques, respectively. Kinetic results reveal that the experimental data fit the pseudo-second-order model and the Temkin isotherm model. In conclusion, these results illustrate the potential of biochar produced from biowaste coffee grounds could play an important role in environmental pollution mitigation by enhancing removal of pharmaceuticals from conventional wastewater treatment effluent, thereby minimizing their potential risks in the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Biochar for a Sustainable Future)

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16 pages, 623 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Biochar Derived from Crop Residues for Soil Amendment, Carbon Sequestration and Energy Use

by Govindarajan Venkatesh, Kodigal A. Gopinath, Kotha Sammi Reddy, Baddigam Sanjeeva Reddy, Mathyam Prabhakar, Cherukumalli Srinivasarao, Venugopalan Visha Kumari and Vinod Kumar Singh

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2295; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042295 - 17 Feb 2022

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3406

Abstract

The crop residues generated in agricultural fields are mostly considered a burden due to their disposal issues. This study attempts to effectively use pigeon pea stalk (PPS) for biochar production, a promising source as a soil amendment for carbon sequestration and alternative fuel [...] Read more.

The crop residues generated in agricultural fields are mostly considered a burden due to their disposal issues. This study attempts to effectively use pigeon pea stalk (PPS) for biochar production, a promising source as a soil amendment for carbon sequestration and alternative fuel source. PPS was pyrolyzed at different loads and reaction times to optimize the kiln temperature (350–400 °C and 450–500 °C) and changes in physicochemical properties, higher heating value (HHV) and yield were assessed. The results indicated that biochar yield, volatile matter, bulk density, O/C and H/C atomic ratios decreased, whereas fixed carbon, ash content and total porosity increased with increasing kiln temperature across all loads. Biochar produced at 450–500 °C (18 kg load kiln⁻¹) had higher total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, recovered total carbon and total nitrogen, total potential carbon and CO₂ reduction potential. Biochar produced at 350–400 °C had the maximum cation exchange capability (43.0 cmol kg⁻¹). Biochar has estimated O/C and H/C atomic ratios of 0.07–0.15 and 0.35–0.50, respectively. Biochar exhibited good agronomic characteristics and fulfilled key quality criteria of H/C < 0.7 and O/C < 0.4 for soil carbon sequestration, as described by the European Biochar Certificate and the International Biochar Initiative. The estimated mean residence time and the mass fraction of carbon that would remain after 100 years were consistently greater than 1000 years and 80%, respectively. The biochar produced at 450–500 °C (at 18.0 kg kiln⁻¹) from PPS had higher fixed carbon (65.3%), energy density (1.51), energetic retention efficiency (53%), fuel ratio (4.88), and HHV (25.01 MJ kg⁻¹), as well as lower H/C and O/C ratios, implying that it is suitable for use as an alternative solid fuel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Biochar for a Sustainable Future)

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13 pages, 2140 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Effects of Rabbit Manure-Derived Biochar on Soil Health and Quality Attributes of Two Mine Tailings

by Eliana Cárdenas-Aguiar, Ana Méndez, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro and Gabriel Gascó

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1866; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031866 - 6 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2778

Abstract

Biochar amendment is becoming a promising technology for mining soil restoration. The addition of biochar can improve soil microbiological parameters related to soil quality, such as enzyme activities. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effect of rabbit manure (RM) [...] Read more.

Biochar amendment is becoming a promising technology for mining soil restoration. The addition of biochar can improve soil microbiological parameters related to soil quality, such as enzyme activities. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effect of rabbit manure (RM) and two rabbit manure biochars prepared at two pyrolysis temperatures (300 and 600 °C) on the biochemical properties of two mining soils in the Portman area (Spain) in the presence or absence of vegetation. Soils were amended with the RM, the two biochars and a mixture of the rabbit manure and biochars (50/50 w/w) at a rate of 10% in a mesocosms experiment to study the changes in dehydrogenase, phosphomonoesterase, β-glucosidase activities, geometric mean of enzyme activities (GMea) and soil microbial biomass (SMB). Changes in individual enzyme activities were not always consistent. However, when using the GMea as a measure of soil quality, our results showed an increase in the GMea (217–360 times) after the addition of rabbit manure to mining soils, while this increase was from 81–270 times following the addition of rabbit manure with biochar prepared at 300 °C. Therefore, the use of biochar prepared at low temperatures could be a promising direction for the improvement of soil quality and soil carbon sequestration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Biochar for a Sustainable Future)

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18 pages, 2243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Carbonized Tangerines Prepared Using Plasma as Fertilizer: Case Study—Lettuce Farming

by Soo-Young Moon, Hyeon Soo Kim, Daehee Jang and Ji-Young Lee

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010243 - 27 Dec 2021

Viewed by 2288

Abstract

This study investigates the soil chemical changes and crop growth characteristics after treatment with carbonized tangerines prepared using plasma. To determine the effect of the carbonized tangerines on crop, four test plots were treated with chaff charcoal or different ratios of coco peat [...] Read more.

This study investigates the soil chemical changes and crop growth characteristics after treatment with carbonized tangerines prepared using plasma. To determine the effect of the carbonized tangerines on crop, four test plots were treated with chaff charcoal or different ratios of coco peat and carbonized tangerines. Lettuce was grown on the plots, and the chemical changes in soil and physical changes in the lettuce were observed. Chemical changes in the soil before and after the carbonized tangerine treatments were very similar to those before and after chaff charcoal treatment. Lettuce leaf length, width, weight, and count in carbonized tangerine-treated plots significantly increased than those in the untreated plot. Our results found that the carbonization of tangerines using plasma can be a good alternative for processing many by-products generated during cultivation. In addition, the possibility of using carbonized tangerines as biochar has been explored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Biochar for a Sustainable Future)

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15 pages, 2181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Feedstock and Final Pyrolysis Temperature on Breaking Strength and Dust Production of Wood-Derived Biochars

by María Videgain, Joan J. Manyà, Mariano Vidal, Eva Cristina Correa, Belén Diezma and Francisco Javier García-Ramos

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 11871; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111871 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1594

Abstract

The susceptibility to fragmentation of biochar is an important property to consider in field applications. Physical and mechanical properties of wood-derived biochars from vine shoots and holm oak were studied to evaluate the effect of biomass feedstock, final pyrolysis temperature and application conditions. [...] Read more.

The susceptibility to fragmentation of biochar is an important property to consider in field applications. Physical and mechanical properties of wood-derived biochars from vine shoots and holm oak were studied to evaluate the effect of biomass feedstock, final pyrolysis temperature and application conditions. Vine shoots and holm oak pruning residues were selected for biochar production. Slow pyrolysis experiments were conducted at two different final temperatures (400 and 600 °C). Physical and chemical characteristics of biomass and biochars were determined. Impact strength was evaluated through the measurement of the gravitational potential energy per unit area (J mm⁻²) necessary for the breakage of biochar fragments. Shear strength (N mm⁻²) and a combination of shear/compression strengths (N) were analyzed using a Universal Texture Analyzer. A particular mechanical treatment was carried out on biochar samples to simulate the processing bodies of a commercial manure spreader, under two gravimetric moisture contents. Holm oak-derived biochar was more resistant than vine shoot-derived biochar to the applied forces. Vine shoots-derived biochar did not show a significantly different mechanical behavior between temperatures. Holm Oak-derived biochar produced at the higher final pyrolysis temperature showed higher resistance to be broken into smaller pieces. Moistening resulted in an adequate practice to improve mechanical spreading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Biochar for a Sustainable Future)

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17 pages, 5164 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparing Physicochemical Properties and Sorption Behaviors of Pyrolysis-Derived and Microwave-Mediated Biochar

by Colten A. Brickler, Yudi Wu, Simeng Li, Aavudai Anandhi and Gang Chen

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2359; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042359 - 22 Feb 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2348

Abstract

Biochar’s ability to amend and remediate agricultural soil has been a growing interest, though the energy expenses from high-temperature pyrolysis deter the product’s use. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the pyrolysis efficiency while ensuring the quality of produced biochar. The present study [...] Read more.

Biochar’s ability to amend and remediate agricultural soil has been a growing interest, though the energy expenses from high-temperature pyrolysis deter the product’s use. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the pyrolysis efficiency while ensuring the quality of produced biochar. The present study utilized three types of feedstock (i.e., switchgrass, biosolid, and water oak leaves) to produce biochar via conventional slow pyrolysis and microwave pyrolysis at different temperature/energy input. The produced biochar was characterized and comprehensively compared in terms of their physiochemical properties (e.g., surface functionality, elemental composition, and thermal stability). It was discovered that microwave-mediated biochar was more resistant to thermal decomposition, indicated by a higher production yield, yet more diverse surface functional groups were preserved than slow pyrolysis-derived biochar. A nutrient (NO₃-N) adsorption isotherm study displayed that microwave-mediated biochar exhibited greater adsorption (13.3 mg g⁻¹) than that of slow pyrolysis-derived biochar (3.1 mg g⁻¹), proving its potential for future applications. Results suggested that microwaves pyrolysis is a promising method for biochar production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Biochar for a Sustainable Future)

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Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 4199 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biochars and Engineered Biochars for Water and Soil Remediation: A Review

by Tariqul Islam, Yanliang Li and Hefa Cheng

Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9932; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179932 - 4 Sep 2021

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 4289

Abstract

Biochars (BCs) are considered as ecofriendly and multifunctional materials with significant potential for remediation of contaminated water and soils, while engineered biochars (E-BCs) with enlarged surface areas and abundant surface functional groups can perform even better in environmental remediation. This review systematically summarizes [...] Read more.

Biochars (BCs) are considered as ecofriendly and multifunctional materials with significant potential for remediation of contaminated water and soils, while engineered biochars (E-BCs) with enlarged surface areas and abundant surface functional groups can perform even better in environmental remediation. This review systematically summarizes the key physical and chemical properties of BCs that affect their pollutant sorption capacities, major methods employed for modification of E-BCs, the performance of BCs/E-BCs in removing major types of organic (e.g., antibiotics and pesticides) and inorganic pollutants (e.g., heavy metals), and the corresponding removal mechanisms. The physical and chemical properties of BCs—such as ash or mineral contents, aromaticity, surface structures, pH, and surface functional groups (e.g., C=O, -COOH, -OH, and -NH₂)—depend primarily on their feedstock sources (i.e., plant, sludge, or fecal) and the pyrolysis temperature. Ion exchange, precipitation, electrostatic attraction, and complexation are the main mechanisms involved in the adsorption of inorganic pollutants on BCs/E-BCs, whereas hydrogen bonding, pore filling, electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic interaction, and van der Waals forces are the major driving forces for the uptake of organic pollutants. Despite their significant promises, more pilot and field scale investigations are necessary to demonstrate the practical applicability and viability of BCs/E-BCs in water and soil remediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste to Biochar for a Sustainable Future)

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