Combined use of biochar and phosphate rocks on phosphorus and heavy metal availability: A meta-analysis.

Biochar (BC) and phosphate rocks (PR) are alternative nutrient sources with multiple benefits for sustainable agriculture. The combination of these soil amendments serves two main purposes: to increase soil phosphorus (P) availability and to remediate heavy metal (HM) contamination. However, a further demonstration of the benefits and risks associated with the combined use of BC and PR (BC + PR) is needed, considering the specific characteristics of raw materials, soil types, experimental conditions, and climatic contexts. This meta-analysis is based on data from 28 selected studies, including 581 paired combinations evaluating effects on extraction and fractionation of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), and 290 paired combinations for soil labile and non-labile P. The results reveal that BC, PR, and BC + PR significantly increase soil labile and non-labile P, with BC + PR showing a 150% greater increase compared to BC alone. In tropical regions, substantial increases in P levels were observed with BC, PR, and BC + PR exhibiting increments of 317, 798, and 288%, respectively. In contrast, temperate climate conditions showed lower increases, with BC, PR, and BC + PR indicating 54, 123, and 88% rises in soil P levels. Moreover, BC, PR, and BC + PR effectively reduce the bioavailability of Cd and Pb in soil, with BC + PR demonstrating the highest efficacy in immobilizing Cd. The synergistic effect of BC + PR highlights their potential for Cd remediation. BC + PR effectively reduces the exchangeable fraction of Cd and Pb in soil, leading to their immobilization in more stable forms, such as the residual fraction. This study provides valuable insights into the remediation potential and P management benefits of BC and PR, highlighting their importance for sustainable agriculture and soil remediation practices.

Comparative analysis of biochar carbon stability methods and implications for carbon credits.

Biochar is an emerging negative emission technology. Its ability to sequester carbon and subsequent carbon credit valuation hinge on the stability of its carbon structure. The widely used indicators of carbon stability H:Corg and O:Corg provide conservative results as these are based on limited incubation experiments and associated modeling results. The results from these accepted methods and other derived methods have not been compared as indicators of carbon stability in a variety of biochar samples. Furthermore, the influence of contrasting feedstock and production techniques on biochar carbon stability is not well explored. Therefore, to address these challenges, a comprehensive stability analysis of 21 different biochar samples with contrasting feedstocks and pyrolysis techniques was conducted using a combination of instrumental methods and derived indicators of carbon stability. Methods such as biochar carbon half-life, thermo-stable fraction, oxidation resistance (R50), and carbon sequestration potential (CS) were used. Based on the initial carbon content of the biochar, simple pyrolysis techniques have similar potential for carbon credits as biochar produced from advanced pyrolysis techniques. Results indicate that the carbon stability of a biochar product is primarily a factor of feedstock type. We found that biochar carbon stability is not related to volatile matter or fixed carbon content for biochar produced using a simple pyrolysis technique and mixed feedstock. Biochars with H:Corg < 0.4 were deemed to have lower carbon stability when compared using different methods. No correlation was observed between the carbon stability of biochar using H:Corg and other methods, however, correlations were observed between half-life, O:Corg, fixed carbon, number of aromatic peaks in FTIR spectrum, R50, and CS. Therefore, it is recommended that data from additional incubation and modeling studies need to be considered to increase the confidence in carbon stability results having major implications to carbon credits.

New insights into the production, characterization and potential uses of vineyard pruning waste biochars.

Vineyard pruning waste (VP) can be converted into a useful char using pyrolysis as part of a valorization strategy. This study analyzed the effect of temperature (300 and 600 °C) and residence time (1 and 3 h) on an ample number of properties of VP derived biochars, including potential negative environmental impacts. The results showed a clear influence of temperature on biochar's properties and a weaker effect of residence time. Increasing temperature raised soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), ash and C contents, aromaticity, specific surface area, solid density, mesoporosity and partial graphitization. However, higher pyrolysis temperature reduced O/C and N/C ratios, total N, P and Mg, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Particularly, the concentration of water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) decreased dramatically with pyrolysis temperature. Moreover, the WEOC fraction of biochars pyrolyzed at 300 °C exhibited a larger aromaticity than those pyrolyzed at 600 °C. Prolonged residence time increased ash content and fixed carbon (FC) and decreased H/C and O/C ratios; however, most frequently this parameter affected biochar properties following opposite trends for the two pyrolysis temperatures. Hydrophysical properties were adequate to consider VP derived biochars as growing media component. PAH concentration was much lower than thresholds following international standards. The germination index increased with temperature and decreased with residence time, so that phytotoxicity was observed in VP and in biochars pyrolyzed for 3 h. Our research demonstrates that, besides temperature, residence time can be useful to modulate the properties of biochars and that prolonged time effect is temperature-dependent.

Arsenic immobilization in soil affected by mining waste using waste-derived functional hydrochar and iron-encapsulated materials.

Arsenic (As) contamination is a widespread problem. Continued and concerted effort in exploring sustainable remediation strategies is required, with in situ immobilization emerging as a promising option. This work valorized a waste by-product from olive (Olea europaea L.) milling into functional hydrochar (HC). The HC was then transformed into iron oxide-encapsulated carbon with three different iron loading rates (10, 25, and 50% w/w of iron chloride hexahydrate added to the olive mill waste feedstock). The HC and the three iron oxide-encapsulated carbon materials were then tested in a pot trial using a 3% w/w application rate as a means to immobilize As in a mining-contaminated soil (2,580 ± 110 mg kg-1 As). After a 45-d incubation period, the effect of adding the amendments on As mobility and bioaccessibility compared with an untreated control was measured using a sequential extraction procedure and in vitro bioaccessibility, respectively. All four treatments resulted in a decrease in mobility and in vitro bioaccessibility as compared with the control. Specifically, As in the mobile phases was up to 35% less than the in control, whereas bioaccessibility was 21.8% in the control and ranged from 17.5 to 12.3% in the treatments. The efficiency of amendments to immobilize As increased with the iron content of the developed materials. This work positions HCs and iron oxide-encapsulated carbon materials produced from olive mill waste as promising options to immobilize As in situ.

Wet organic waste treatment via hydrothermal processing: A critical review.

There are several recent reviews published in the literature on hydrothermal carbonization, liquefaction and supercritical water gasification of lignocellulosic biomass and algae. The potential of hydrochar, bio-oil or synthesis gas production and applications have also been reviewed individually. The comprehensive review on the hydrothermal treatment of wet wastes (such as municipal solid waste, food waste, sewage sludge, algae) covering carbonization, liquefaction and supercritical water gasification, however, is missing in the literature which formed the basis of the current review paper. The current paper critically reviews the literature around the full spectrum of hydrothermal treatment for wet wastes and establishes a good comparison of the different hydrothermal treatment options for managing wet waste streams. Also, the role of catalysts as well as synthesis of catalysts using hydrothermal treatment of biomass has been critically reviewed. For the first time, efforts have also been made to summarize findings on modelling works as well as techno-economic assessments in the area of hydrothermal treatments of wet wastes. The study concludes with key findings, knowledge gaps and future recommendations to improve the productivity of hydrothermal treatment of wet wastes, helping improve the commercial viability and environmental sustainability.

Assessing the potential of sewage sludge-derived biochar as a novel phosphorus fertilizer: Influence of extractant solutions and pyrolysis temperatures.

Sewage sludge-derived biochar (SSB) is a phosphorus (P) source with potential to replace soluble P fertilizers. However, SSB presents a diversity of P compounds, mainly in mineral forms with different degrees of chemical stability. This hinders the prediction of P bioavailability. In the present study we evaluated P solubility and bioavailability using different chemical extractants. Additionally, the relationships between extractable P and physicochemical properties were evaluated for SSB obtained over a wide range of temperatures (200 °C; 300 °C; 500 °C and 600 °C). Available phosphorus content was extracted using 2% citric acid (P-CA), neutral ammonium citrate + water (P-NAC) and Mehlich 1 solution (0.0125 mol L-1 H2SO4 + 0.050 mol L-1 HCl). Physicochemical properties and extractable P were strongly affected by pyrolysis temperature. Higher pyrolysis temperature resulted in increased pH, BET surface area, pore volume, ash, fixed carbon, Ca, Mg and Zn contents, as well as formation of stable Ca minerals (calcite and oxalate). The total P content increased with pyrolysis temperature (≥300 °C). Nevertheless, the solubility of biochar-P in the extractants presented different trends with temperature. The P-NAC content reached a maximum (79% of TP) at 300 °C and then declined at higher temperatures. Only at 600 °C P-CA and available P were affected by the temperature, where the P-CA increased and available P decreased. Therefore, it is recommended that the P solubility in different extractants should be considered when using SSB as an alternative to inorganic P fertilizers.

Long-term effects of sewage sludge-derived biochar on the accumulation and availability of trace elements in a tropical soil.

Thermal treatment by pyrolysis has been proposed as a sustainable alternative to enable the agricultural use of sewage sludge. The solid product obtained via pyrolysis of sewage sludge is called sewage sludge biochar and presents several advantages for its use as a fertilizer or soil conditioner. However, there are concerns about the accumulation and dynamics of trace elements in soil amended with sewage sludge biochar over the years. This study examined the effect of sewage sludge biochar, under field conditions for 5 yr, on the accumulation and availability of trace elements in a tropical soil. For this, 15 t ha-1 of sewage sludge biochar produced at 300 and 500 °C were applied in the first two growing seasons. Application was interrupted from the third to the fifth seasons to assess the residual effect of sewage sludge biochar in the soil. The total and available trace element concentrations were determined. The total contents of trace elements showed the following variation in the soil over the 5 yr (mg kg-1): Cd (16.8-20.0), Co (19.5-21.5), Cr (98.2-125.7), Cu (8.1-17.1), Mn (62.9-85.7), Ni (20.3-35.0), Pb (27.0-52.4), and Zn (20.3-35.8). There was no change in the availability of Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb over the years. Additionally, a residual effect of the sewage sludge biochar was the increase in availability of trace elements that are considered essential (Cu, Mn, and Zn) and beneficial elements (Co) for plants. Therefore, in relation to contamination by trace elements, the pyrolysis of sewage sludge of domestic origin proved to be an adequate strategy to enable the safe use of this residue in tropical agriculture.

The residual effect of sewage sludge biochar on soil availability and bioaccumulation of heavy metals: Evidence from a three-year field experiment.

Conversion of sewage sludge (SS) into biochar through pyrolysis is an alternative to make this residue useful for agricultural purposes. Despite advances in interpreting the functions of SS biochar (SSB) for improving soil quality, it is still necessary to understand its residual effect on the dynamics of heavy metals (HM), especially under field conditions in tropical soils. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the residual effect of the application of SSB obtained at different pyrolysis temperatures on the accumulation, availability and bioaccumulation of HMs by corn cultivated in a tropical soil. For this purpose, a field experiment was conducted for three years to assess the total and available levels of HMs in the soil and the leaf concentration after suspending the application of 30 t ha-1 of SSB produced at 300 °C (BC300) and 500 °C (BC500). In general, the HM contents were below the maximum allowed by environmental legislation in several countries. SSB, regardless of temperature, was effective in immobilizing non-essential HMs for plants, such as Cd, Co, Cr and Pb, in the soil. On the other hand, SSB was able to supply micronutrients to corn plants after amendment ceased. Thus, the lack of negative long-term effects confirms the feasibility and safety of using SSB in agricultural areas with regards to contamination by HM, and makes it an alternative for the disposal of domestic SS.

Direct and residual effect of biochar derived from biosolids on soil phosphorus pools: A four-year field assessment.

Measures to improve the use of phosphorus (P), either by improved efficiency or reuse, are needed worldwide in order to preserve a finite resource and ensure that farmers have access to it. Currently, the rapidly growing global population has generated an increased demand for this mineral. Sustainably disposing for the massive amount of globally produced biosolids and alternative sources of P for agriculture are two major challenges to address. In this scenario, biosolids-derived biochar (BBC) has been presented as a win-win opportunity. However, the BBC-P dynamics in soil over consecutive cropping seasons remain unclear. Direct (first and second cropping season) and residual (third and fourth cropping season) effects of BBC on soil P fractions, P uptake and corn grain yield were assessed. Additionally, the relationships between soil P pools and grain yield were investigated by multivariate and multiple linear regression analysis. In a field experiment, BBC produced at 300 °C (BC 300) and 500 °C (BC 500) were applied to an Oxisol at a rate of 15 t ha-1. Soil total P and its fractions (organic P, inorganic P, and available P) were determined. Phosphorus uptake and corn grain yield were also evaluated. BBC, regardless of pyrolysis temperature, increased soil total P and all P fractions. Moreover, BBC maintained high soil P contents for at least two years after stopping its application. These results suggest that BBC may act as a slow-release P fertilizer. Surprisingly, soil P fractions were unaffected by different pyrolysis temperatures, but BC 300 promoted higher grain yield than BC 500 in the third and fourth cropping seasons. Overall, the results confirmed that under direct application both biochars can replace mineral fertilization for corn production; and when considering the residual effect, BC 300 showed a higher potential to be utilized as a soil amendment for P supply.

A serial PFASs sorption technique coupled with adapted high volume direct aqueous injection LCMS method.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous global environmental contaminants, environmentally persistent, mobile, can bioaccumulate and are toxic. Increasing emphasis is placed on the immobilisation and removal of PFAS from contaminated environmental matrices such as: potable water, surface water, groundwater, wastewater, sediments and soils (Dauchy et al., 2017; Cao et al., 2019; Hepburn et al., 2019). To achieve this, development of PFAS sorbents is increasingly undertaken (Du et al., 2014). Sorption studies are used to observe the interaction of sorbent and sorbate, but have two key limitations when undertaking sorption experiments for PFAS (1) the experimental protocol and (2) analytical techniques. The current batch sorption methods approached recommended by OECD Guideline 106 (OECD, 2000) are problematic, firstly, due to large sample numbers and PFAS specific laboratory difficulties, including near ubiquitous background PFAS contamination. Secondly, PFAS analytical techniques currently require solid-phase extraction (SPE) to be employed, which is slow and expensive, prior to instrumental analysis with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A suitable alternative approach is needed to mitigate the drawbacks of current methodologies whilst catering for the high sample throughput required by benchtop trials characterising the sorption behaviour of PFAS - sorbent pairings.•A suitable method for PFAS measurement, overcoming shortcomings of current batch sorption methodologies is presented•The method can be applied to a wide range of sorbents and sorption environment conditions associated with PFAS immobilisation or removal in the environment•The presented method is novel through its high sample throughput, simple approach and minimisation of cross contamination sources.

Evaluation of phytoremediation potential of five Cd (hyper)accumulators in two Cd contaminated soils.

A phytoextraction experiment with five Cd hyperaccumulators (Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Celosia argentea, Solanum nigrum, Phytolacca acinosa and Sedum plumbizincicola) was conducted in two soils with different soil pH (5.93 and 7.43, respectively). Most accumulator plants grew better in the acidic soil, with 19.59-39.63% higher biomass than in the alkaline soil, except for S. plumbizincicola. The potential for a metal-contaminated soil to be cleaned up using phytoremediation is determined by the metal uptake capacity of hyperaccumulator, soil properties, and mutual fitness of plant-soil relationships. In the acidic soil, C. argentea and A. hypochondriacus extracted the highest amount of Cd (1.03 mg pot-1 and 0.92 mg pot-1, respectively). In the alkaline soil, S. plumbizincicola performed best, mainly as a result of high Cd accumulation in plant tissue (541.36 mg kg-1). Most plants achieved leaf Cd bioconcentration factor (BCF) of >10 in the acidic soil, compared to <4 in the alkaline soil. Soil Cd availability was chiefly responsible for such contrasting metal extraction capacity, with 5.02% fraction and 48.50% fraction of total Cd being available in the alkaline and acidic soil, respectively. In the alkaline soil, plants tended to increase rhizosphere soil available Cd mainly through excreting more low molecular weight organic acids, not through changing the soil pH. In the acidic soil, plants slightly decreased soil available Cd. Those species which have high Ca, Zn, Fe uptake capacity extract more Cd from soil, and a positive correlation was found between the concentrations of Cd and Ca, Zn, Fe in leaves. Soil available Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, Cl- did not play a key role in Cd uptake by plants. In summary, acidic soil was of higher potential to recover from Cd contamination by phytoextraction, while in the alkaline soil, S. plumbizincicola showed potential for Cd phytoextraction.

Biochar sorption of PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFHxA in two soils with contrasting texture.

The ability to immobilise PFAS in soil may be an essential interim tool while technologies are developed for effective long-term treatment of PFAS contaminated soils. Serial sorption experiments were undertaken using a pine derived biochar produced at 750 °C (P750). All experiments were carried out either in individual mode (solution with one PFAS at 5 µg/L) or mix mode (solution with 5 µg/L of each: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFHxA), and carried out in 2:1 water to soil solutions. Soils had biochar added in the range 0-5% w/w. Kinetic data were fitted to the pseudo-second order model for both amended soils, with equilibrium times ranging 0.5-96 h for all congeners. PFOS sorption was 11.1 ± 4.5% in the loamy sand compared to 69.8 ± 4.9% in the sandy clay loam. While total sorption was higher in the unamended loamy sand than sandy clay loam for PFHxA, PFOA and PFOS, the effect of biochar amendment for each compound was found to be significantly higher in amended sandy clay loam than in amended loamy sand. Application of biochar reduced the desorbed PFAS fraction of all soils. Soil type and experimental mode played a significant role in influencing desorption. Overall, the relationship between sorbent and congener was demonstrated to be highly impacted by soil type, however the unique physiochemical properties of each PFAS congener greatly influenced its unique equilibrium, sorption and desorption behaviour for each amended soil and mode tested.

Novel Bi2WO6 loaded N-biochar composites with enhanced photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and Cr(VI).

In this work we report the production of Bi2WO6 loaded N-biochar composites (BW/N-B) for the removal of rhodamine-B and the reduction of Cr(VI) in water. Biochar was treated with urea to produce a N-modified biochar (N-Biochar), with great conductivity and special 2D sheet platform structure. Materials with different ratios of biochar and urea were produced. These materials were used as platform for supporting Bi2WO6. The characteristics of the as-prepared composites were investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectra (FT-IR), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-DRS), Photoluminescence spectra (PL), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott-Schottky curves. After loading N-Biochar, the band gaps of the as-prepared composites were narrower than those of Bi2WO6, which could improve separation and migration of photogenerated electron-hole pairs of BW/B-N under visible-light excitation, enhancing photocatalytic activity. BW/N1-B (ratio of urea to biochar 2:1 and 1 g/L) exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of 10 mg/L Rhodamine B (RhB) (99.1 %, 45 min) and reduction of Cr(VI) (96.7 %, 30 min) under visible-light irradiation. The results will provide a novel theoretical foundation on the application of biochar for photocatalysis and environmental remediation.

Phosphorus-Rich Biochars Can Transform Lead in an Urban Contaminated Soil.

Transformation of soil Pb to pyromorphites and phosphates has the potential to be an effective strategy to immobilize this contaminant in situ. Soil treatment using monocalcium phosphate, a commercial fertilizer (NTS Soft Rock) and biochars prepared from poultry litter and from biosolids at three different temperatures (300, 400, and 500°C) and two doses (1 and 3%) were evaluated. Lead bioaccesibility, mobility, and solid speciation were measured. Leachable Pb (determined with the toxicity characterized leaching procedure) was not significantly ( > 0.05) changed after biochar addition, but a significant decrease in bioaccesible Pb was found for several treatments ( < 0.05). This was particularly notable for treatments receiving biosolids prepared at 400 and at 500°C or monocalcium phosphate at the 3% dose. The decrease in bioaccesible Pb concentration in the biochar treatments was similar to traditional phosphate amendments. Our research found transformation of Pb species to the more stable pyromorphite and Pb-phosphate to be partially responsible for the observed changes, although other mechanisms, including pH changes, might also play an important role. Overall, pyrolysis was an effective method to upgrade waste streams and facilitate Pb immobilization, although key pyrolysis parameters need to be selected carefully.

Comparative characterization of biochars produced at three selected pyrolysis temperatures from common woody and herbaceous waste streams.

Biochar, the product of biomass pyrolysis, has been explored as a soil amendment and carbon capture vessel. Recent literature has aligned biochar as a novel sorbent for a host of environmental contaminants. Through the variation of pyrolysis conditions, biochars can be engineered to have qualities desirable in sorbents whilst maintaining their agronomic benefits. This study focuses on identifying the effects that feedstock type and process temperature have on biochar characteristics which may in turn shed light on their potential environmental applications. Using this approach, six biochars were created from two waste biomasses. The biochars exhibited wide ranges of pH (5.6-11.1), surface area (16.2-397.4 m2/g), electrical conductivity (19-2,826 µS/cm), fixed carbon (72-97%), heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Statistically significant trends (P < 0.05) in biochar characteristics dependent upon increasing pyrolysis temperature and feedstock type were identified. Arsenic (>13 mg/kg), chromium (>93 mg/kg), copper (>143 mg/kg) and PAH (>6 mg/kg) concentrations presented themselves as obstacles to land application in a small number of biochars with respects to International Biochar Initiative (IBI) guidelines. However, it was demonstrated that these could be eliminated through employing pyrolysis processes which encompass higher temperatures (>500 °C) and ensuring the use of contaminant-free feedstocks. The variation in surface areas, carbonized fractions and surface functional groups achieved suggest that using the correct feedstock and process, biochar could be produced in Victoria (Australia) from common organic waste streams to the ends of acting as a sorbent, soil enhancer, and a waste management strategy.

Nitrogen fertilizer is a key factor affecting the soil chemical and microbial communities in a Mollisol.

Microbial communities drive geochemical cycles in soils. Relatively few studies have assessed the long-term impacts of different types of soil amendments under field conditions in long-term experiments. The response of soil microbial organisms in a Mollisol cultivated with maize for 35 years was examined. Treatments involved the use of N, P, and K fertilizers and two doses of straw residue in isolation or combined. Real-time PCR and Illumina MiSeq sequencing methods were used to characterize the microbial community. The results showed that addition of nitrogen fertilizers decreased soil pH, but this was mitigated when a high dose of straw was also incorporated. Long-term application of inorganic fertilizers was able to alter the abundance of functional soil microbial population. Application of inorganic N fertilizer resulted in distinctive changes on N-cycle microorganisms. Phosphate-solubilizing functional genes abundance was lower in plots with no phosphate fertilizer. Sequencing analysis showed that the presence or absence of N in the fertilizer mix is a key factor affecting bacterial community diversity of agricultural soil, and pH, total organic C, and total N show a high correlation with bacterial community composition. Nitrogen addition increased the N concentration in the soil, which could cause changes in the soil pH and change the soil bacterial community. Our findings proved that interaction of N fertilizer with other fertilizers can affect microbial communities.

Development and characterisation of charcoal briquettes from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)-molasses blend.

Charcoal briquettes are inexpensive solid fuels made from carbonized biomass. The potential of converting water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) charcoal into briquettes with molasses as binder was investigated in this study. Dried water hyacinth was carbonized at a temperature between 350°C to 500°C in a fabricated fine biomass carbonizer. A solution containing 80% by weight molasses was used in the production of briquettes having different charcoal/molasses ratios of 40:60, 30:70, and 20:80. Each briquette was characterized in terms of bulk density, calorific value, compressive strength, proximate analysis and micro-structure by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Charcoal briquettes were tested for their flammable characteristics through their burning rates and ignition time. Altering the molasses to charcoal ratio affected the quality and characteristics of the briquettes. Volatile combustible matter and fixed carbon increased with increasing amount of binder while ash content decreased. The 30:70 charcoal/molasses ratio produced the highest calorific value (16.6 MJ/kg) and compressive strength (19.1 kg/cm2). The results have shown the potential of converting water hyacinth into an alternative fuel source.

Valorization of biochars from pinewood gasification and municipal solid waste torrefaction as peat substitutes.

Gasification and torrefaction have both gained significant interest as bioenergy techniques. During biomass gasification together with fuel gas, carbon-rich solid substances are produced, whereas torrefaction process is mainly used to prepare a final product with higher calorific value and carbon content than the feedstock, through a low temperature pyrolysis. Both materials (carbon wastes from gasification and torrefied product) could be classified as alternatives to biochar obtained from slow pyrolysis of biomass. The use of biochar, typically from the slow pyrolysis of biomass, as soil amendment and, more recently, as growing media components has been widely researched. However, to our knowledge, no studies have compared the use of biochar from gasification and torrefaction as growing media component for growing media formulation. The objective of this work was to study the effect of two biochars on peat-based growing media: a pinewood gasification biochar (BG) and a biochar (BT) obtained by torrefaction of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. Growing media mixing PT (peat) with 50%vol of BG or BT were prepared and characterized according to their chemical, thermal and hydrophysical properties. Phytotoxic experiments and growth of Lolium perenne were also performed. Results indicated that peat substitution in growing media by BG and BT at a 50%vol ratio improved their hydrophysical properties. Specifically, bulk density increased more than 50%, air space increased by 43%, the increment of the total porosity was 20%, and, finally, the water holding capacity increased by 18.3%. Significantly, a positive effect on plant biomass production (yield increment: 274%) was observed after addition of BT, whereas no significant differences were observed after addition of BG biochar. Therefore, it can be concluded that both BT and BG could be used as peat substitutes in growing media formulation.

Physicochemical Properties of Biochars Produced from Biosolids in Victoria, Australia.

Some of the barriers associated with the land application of biosolids generated in wastewater treatment plants can be eliminated simply by converting the biosolids into biochar using a thermal conversion process called “pyrolysis”. In the current work, eight biosolids from four different wastewater treatment plants in southeast Melbourne, Victoria, Australia were collected and pyrolysed to produce biochars at two different temperatures (500 and 700 °C). In addition, characterisation studies were carried out on the biochars to obtain their physicochemical properties, which were subsequently compared with the properties of the parent biosolids. The major findings of the work demonstrated that biochars exhibited large decreases in DTPA-extractable metals such as Cd, Cu, and Zn, and also led to favorable changes in several chemical and physical characteristics (i.e., pH, Olsen P, electrical conductivity, and surface area) for agricultural land application compared to their original form (i.e., biosolids). Overall, the study suggests that there is great potential for converting biosolids to biochar using pyrolysis. This may not only improve the properties of biosolids for land application, but also has potential to reduce the risk to receiving environments and, furthermore, eliminate many of the costly elements associated with biosolids stockpiling and management.