Current studentsExisting staffContact us
 

Biochar carbon stability in a clayey soil as a function of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorSingh, B.
dc.contributor.authorCowie, A.
dc.contributor.authorSmernik, R.
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractThe stability of biochar carbon (C) is the major determinant of its value for long-term C sequestration in soil. A long-term (5 year) laboratory experiment was conducted under controlled conditions using 11 biochars made from five C3 biomass feedstocks (Eucalyptus saligna wood and leaves, papermill sludge, poultry litter, cow manure) at 400 and/or 550 °C. The biochars were incubated in a vertisol containing organic C from a predominantly C4-vegetation source, and total CO(2)-C and associated δ(13)C were periodically measured. Between 0.5% and 8.9% of the biochar C was mineralized over 5 years. The C in manure-based biochars mineralized faster than that in plant-based biochars, and C in 400 °C biochars mineralized faster than that in corresponding 550 °C biochars. The estimated mean residence time (MRT) of C in biochars varied between 90 and 1600 years. These are conservative estimates because they represent MRT of relatively labile and intermediate-stability biochar C components. Furthermore, biochar C MRT is likely to be higher under field conditions of lower moisture, lower temperatures or nutrient availability constraints. Strong relationships of biochar C stability with the initial proportion of nonaromatic C and degree of aromatic C condensation in biochar support the use of these properties to predict biochar C stability in soil.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityBhupinder Pal Singh, Annette L. Cowie, and Ronald J. Smernik
dc.identifier.citationEnvironmental Science and Technology (Washington), 2012; 46(21):11770-11778
dc.identifier.doi10.1021/es302545b
dc.identifier.issn0013-936X
dc.identifier.issn1520-5851
dc.identifier.orcidSmernik, R. [0000-0001-6033-5855]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/75502
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAmer Chemical Soc
dc.rightsCopyright © 2012 American Chemical Society
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1021/es302545b
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectPoultry
dc.subjectCattle
dc.subjectEucalyptus
dc.subjectPlant Leaves
dc.subjectAluminum Silicates
dc.subjectCarbon
dc.subjectManure
dc.subjectSoil
dc.subjectIndustrial Waste
dc.subjectTemperature
dc.subjectPaper
dc.subjectWood
dc.subjectClay
dc.titleBiochar carbon stability in a clayey soil as a function of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Collections

Agriculture, Food and Wine publications