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===Life expectancy of biochar=== | ===Life expectancy of biochar=== | ||
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==Effects of biochar on physical and chemical properties of soil and bioretention media== | ==Effects of biochar on physical and chemical properties of soil and bioretention media== | ||
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===Effects of biochar on soil fertility and plant growth=== | ===Effects of biochar on soil fertility and plant growth=== | ||
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+ | ==Standards, testing, and distributors== | ||
+ | ===Biochar standards=== | ||
+ | The Internation Biochar Initiative (IBI) developed Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil, also referred to The Biochar Standards. These standards provide guidelines and is not a formal set of industry specifications. The goal of The Biochar Standards is to "universally and consistently define what biochar is, and to confirm that a product intended for sale or use as biochar possesses the necessary characteristics for safe use. The IBI Biochar Standards also provide common reporting requirements for biochar that will aid researchers in their ongoing efforts to link specific functions of biochar to its beneficial soil and crop impacts." The IBI also provides a certification program. Information on the standards and certification are found on [https://biochar-international.org/characterizationstandard/ International Biochar Institute's website] or at the [https://www.biochar-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IBI_Biochar_Standards_V2.1_Final.pdf IBI's Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil]. | ||
==Distributors== | ==Distributors== | ||
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A list of biochar distributors is provided on the [https://biochar-us.org/manufacturers-retailers United States Biochar Initiative website (USBI)]. Note the USBI neither provides endorsements nor accepts liability for any particular product or technology listed below. | A list of biochar distributors is provided on the [https://biochar-us.org/manufacturers-retailers United States Biochar Initiative website (USBI)]. Note the USBI neither provides endorsements nor accepts liability for any particular product or technology listed below. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Test methods== | ||
+ | *[https://biochar-international.org/test-methods-in-the-ibi-biochar-standards/ IBI] | ||
+ | *[https://biochar-international.org/control_lab_profile/] | ||
+ | *[https://biochar-international.org/biochar-classification-tool/ classification tool] | ||
==Storage and handling== | ==Storage and handling== | ||
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For more information, see the [https://biochar-international.org/sustainability-climate-change/ International Biochar Initiative discussion] on sustainable biochar production. For a discussion of biochar sustainability, see [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275770511_Biochar_Sustainability_and_Certification sustainability and Certification] (Vereijen et al., 2015). | For more information, see the [https://biochar-international.org/sustainability-climate-change/ International Biochar Initiative discussion] on sustainable biochar production. For a discussion of biochar sustainability, see [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275770511_Biochar_Sustainability_and_Certification sustainability and Certification] (Vereijen et al., 2015). | ||
− | == | + | ==References== |
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*[https://biochar-international.org/biochar-feedstocks/ Biochar feedstocks] | *[https://biochar-international.org/biochar-feedstocks/ Biochar feedstocks] | ||
*[https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0113888&type=printable Effects of Feedstock and Pyrolysis Temperature on Biochar Adsorption of Ammonium and Nitrate] | *[https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0113888&type=printable Effects of Feedstock and Pyrolysis Temperature on Biochar Adsorption of Ammonium and Nitrate] | ||
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*[https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3291&context=etd characterization and engineering] | *[https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3291&context=etd characterization and engineering] | ||
*[https://people.clas.ufl.edu/azimmer/files/Publication-pdf/Zhao-Zimmerman-13_Heterogeneity-of-biochar-properties-as-a-function-of-feedstock-sources-and-prod-temp.pdf Heterogeneity of biochar properties as a function of feedstock sources and production temperatures] | *[https://people.clas.ufl.edu/azimmer/files/Publication-pdf/Zhao-Zimmerman-13_Heterogeneity-of-biochar-properties-as-a-function-of-feedstock-sources-and-prod-temp.pdf Heterogeneity of biochar properties as a function of feedstock sources and production temperatures] | ||
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+ | *Agyarko-Mintah E, Cowie A, Singh BP, Joseph S, Van Zwieten L, Cowie A, Harden S, Smillie R.. 2017. Biochar increases nitrogen retention and lowers greenhouse gas emissions when added to composting poultry litter. Waste Manag. 61:138-149. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.11.027. Epub 2016 Dec 8. | ||
+ | *Conz, R., T. Abbruzzini, C.A. de Andrade, D.M.B.P. Milori. 2017. Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature and Feedstock Type on Agricultural Properties and Stability of Biochars. Agricultural Sciences 8:9:914-933. | ||
+ | *Ding, Y., Yu-Xue Liu, Wei-Xiang Wu, De-Zhi Shi, Min Yang, and Zhe-Ke Zhong. 2010. Evaluation of Biochar Effects on Nitrogen Retention and Leaching in Multi-Layered Soil Columns. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. Volume 213, Issue 1–4, pp 47–55. | ||
+ | *Flesch, F., Pia Berger, Daniel Robles-Vargas , Gustavo Emilio Santos-Medrano, and Roberto Rico-Martínez. 2019. Characterization and Determination of the Toxicological Risk of Biochar Using Invertebrate Toxicity Tests in the State of Aguascalientes,México. Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 1706; doi:10.3390/app9081706. | ||
+ | *Gai X, Wang H, Liu J, Zhai L, Liu S, et al. (2014) Effects of Feedstock and Pyrolysis Temperature on Biochar Adsorption of Ammonium and Nitrate. PLoS ONE 9(12). 19 pages. doi:10. 1371/journal.pone.0113888. | ||
+ | *Han, Y., Byoungkoo Choi, and Xiangwei Chen. 2018. Adsorption and Desorption of Phosphorus in Biochar-Amended Black Soil as Affected by Freeze-Thaw Cycles in Northeast China. | ||
+ | *Hardy, B., Steven Sleutel, Joseph E. Dufey, and Jean-Thomas Cornelis. 2019. The Long-Term Effect of Biochar on Soil Microbial Abundance, Activity and Community Structure Is Overwritten by Land Management. Frontiers Environ. Sci. 110:7:1-14. DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2019.00110. | ||
+ | *Hoffman-Krull, K.H. 2019. [https://rodaleinstitute.org/blog/whats-biochar-how-to-stabilize-carbon-in-your-soil/ WHAT’S BIOCHAR? HOW TO STABILIZE CARBON IN YOUR SOIL]. Rodale Institute. | ||
+ | *Internation Biochar Initiative. Biochar Feedstocks. Accessed December 12, 2019. | ||
+ | *Iqbal, H., Manuel Garcia-Perez, Markus Flury. 2015. Effect of biochar on leaching of organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from compost in bioretention systems Science of the Total Environment 521–522 (2015) 37–45 | ||
+ | *Jahromi, N.B., and A. Fulcher. What is Biochar and How Different Biochars Can Improve Your Crops. University of Tennessee Extension. Publication W829. Accessed 12/12/2019. | ||
+ | *Jien, Shih-Hao, and Chien-Sheng Wang. 2013. Effects of biochar on soil properties and erosion potential in a highly weathered soil. Catena. 110:225-233 | ||
+ | *Jindo, K., H. Mizumoto3, Y. Sawada, M. A. Sanchez-Monedero1, and T. Sonoki. 2014. Physical and chemical characterization of biochars derived from different agricultural residues. Biogeosciences, 11, 6613–6621. | ||
+ | *Kasak, K., Jaak Truu, Ivika Ostonen, Jürgen Sarjas, Kristjan Oopkaup, Päärn Paiste, Margit Kõiv-Vainik, Ülo Mander, Marika Truu. 2018. Biochar enhances plant growth and nutrient removal in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands Science of the Total Environment 639:67–74 | ||
+ | *Klasson, T.K. 2017. Biochar characterization and a method for estimating biochar quality from proximate analysis results. Biomass and Bioenergy. 96:50-58. | ||
+ | *Lyu H, He Y, Tang J, Hecker M, Liu Q, Jones PD, Codling G, Giesy JP. 2016. Effect of pyrolysis temperature on potential toxicity of biochar if applied to the environment. Environ Pollut. 218:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.08.014. | ||
+ | *Mensah, A.K., and Kwame Agyei Frimpong. 2018. Biochar and/or Compost Applications Improve Soil Properties, Growth, and Yield of Maize Grown in Acidic Rainforest and Coastal Savannah Soils in Ghana. International Journal of Agronomy. Volume 2018, 8 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6837404 | ||
+ | *Mumme J, Getz J, Prasad M, Lüder U, Kern J, Mašek O, Buss W. 2018. Toxicity screening of biochar-mineral composites using germination tests. Chemosphere. 207:91-100. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.05.042. | ||
+ | *Nabiul Afrooz, A.R.M., Ana K. Pitol, Dianna Kitt, and Alexandria B. Boehm. 2018. Role of microbial cell properties on bacterial pathogen and coliphage removal in biochar-modified stormwater biofilters. Environ Sci: Water Res and Tech. 12: | ||
+ | *Oleszczuk, P., Izabela Jo´sko, Marcin Ku´smierz. 2013. Biochar properties regarding to contaminants content and ecotoxicological assessment. Journal of Hazardous Materials 260 (2013) 375– 382. | ||
+ | *Rawat, J., J. Saxena, P. Sanwal. 2018. Biochar: A Sustainable Approach for Improving Plant Growth and Soil Properties. In: Biochar - An Imperative Amendment for Soil and the Environment. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.82151 | ||
+ | *Soinne, H., Jarkko Hovi, PriitTammeorg, EilaTurtola. 2014. Effect of biochar on phosphorus sorption and clay soil aggregate stability. Geoderma. Volumes 219–220, May 2014, Pages 162-167. | ||
+ | *Spears, S. 2018. [https://regenerationinternational.org/2018/05/16/what-is-biochar/ What is Biochar?] Regeneration International. | ||
+ | *Ulrich, B.A., Megan Loehnert and Christopher P. Higgins. 2017. Improved contaminant removal in vegetated stormwater biofilters amended with biochar Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. 4: | ||
+ | *Wang, K., Na Peng, Guining Lu, Zhi Dang, 2018. Effects of Pyrolysis Temperature and Holding Time on Physicochemical Properties of Swine-Manure-Derived Biochar. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 1-12 DOI: 10.1007/s12649-018-0435-2 | ||
+ | *Yang, F., Yue Zhou, Weiming Liu, Wenzhu Tang, Jun Meng, Wenfu Chen, and Xianzhen Li. 2019. Article Strain-Specific Effects of Biochar and Its Water-Soluble Compounds on Bacterial Growth. Appl. Sci. 9(16), 3209; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9163209. | ||
+ | *Yuan-Ying Wang, Xiang-Rong Jing, Ling-Li Li, Wu-Jun Liu, Zhong-Hua Tong, Hong Jiang. 2017. Biotoxicity Evaluations of Three Typical Biochars Using a Simulated System of Fast Pyrolytic Biochar Extracts on Organisms of Three Kingdoms. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2017, 5, 1, 481-488. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b01859 | ||
+ | *Zhang, M., Muhammad Riaz, Lin Zhang, Zeinab El-desouki, and Cuncang Jiang. Biochar Induces Changes to Basic Soil Properties and Bacterial Communities of Different Soils to Varying Degrees at 25 mm Rainfall: More Effective on Acidic Soils. 2019. Frontiers Microbio. 12:10:1321. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01321 | ||
+ | *Zhao, Shi-Xiang, Na Ta and Xu-Dong Wang 2017. Effect of Temperature on the Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Biochar with Apple Tree Branches as Feedstock Material Energies, 10:1293; doi:10.3390/en10091293 | ||
+ | *Zheng, H., Zhenyu Wang, Xia Deng, Stephen Herbert, Baoshan Xing. 2013. Impacts of adding biochar on nitrogen retention and bioavailability in agricultural soil. Geoderma, Volume 206:32-39 | ||
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This page provides information on biochar. While providing extensive information on biochar, there is a section focused specifically on stormwater applications for biochar.
Biochar is a charcoal-like substance that’s made by burning organic material from biomass. The two most common proceesses for producing biochar are pyrolysis and gasification. During pyrolysis, the organic material is heated to 250-800oC in a limited oxygen environment. Gasification involves temperatures greater than 700oC in the presence of oxygen.
Biomass waste materials appropriate for biochar production include crop residues (both field residues and processing residues such as nut shells, fruit pits, bagasse, etc); yard, food and forestry wastes; and animal manures. Clean feedstocks with 10 to 20 percent moisture and high lignin content are recommended. Examples are field residues and woody biomass. Using contaminated feedstocks, including feedstocks from railway embankments or contaminated land, can introduce toxins into the soil, drastically increase soil pH and/or inhibit plants from absorbing minerals. The most common contaminants are heavy metals—including cadmium, copper, chromium, lead, zinc, mercury, nickel and arsenic, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Biochar is black, highly porous, lightweight, fine-grained and has a large surface area. Approximately 70 percent of its composition is carbon. The remaining percentage consists of nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen among other elements. Biochar’s chemical composition varies depending on the feedstocks used to make it and methods used to heat it.
Biochar benefits for soil may include but are not limited to
Biochar is also found to be beneficial for composting, since it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and prevents the loss of nutrients in the compost material. It also promotes microbial activity, which in turn accelerates the composting process. Plus, it helps reduce the compost’s ammonia losses, bulk density and odor (Spears, 2018; Hoffman-Krull, 2019).
Although the basic structure of all biochars is similar, the physical-chemical properties of biochar varies with the source material and with the temperature used in production.
Since a wide variety of organic material can be used to produce biochar, it is not feasible to discuss each material separately. We provide the following general conclusions. Literature used to develop these conclusions is provided at the end of this section.
Literature
Changes in the properties of biochar result from loss of volatile organic matter as temperature increases. This leads to a gradual loss in the number of functional groups on the biochar and increased aromaticity as temperature increases.
In general, the following conclusions are applicable for biochar used in stormwater applications.
The following information comes from a literature review of the effects of production temperature on biochar
Literature
This section is divided into chemical-physical properties, hydraulic properties, retention-leaching properties, and other properties.
The properties of biochar vary depending on the feedstock and conditions, primarily the pyrolysis temperature, under which the biochar is produced. Consequently there is considerable variability in the chemical and physical properties of different biochars. The table below summarizes data from our literature review. Some conclusions from the literature are summarized below.
Chemical and physical properties of biochar.
Link to this table
Property | Range found in literature1 | Median value from literature |
---|---|---|
Total phosphorus (%) | 0.0061 - 1.086 | 0.0618 |
Total nitrogen (%) | 1.2 - 2.4 | 0.88 |
Total potassium (%) | 0.0079 - 1.367 | 0.181 |
Total carbon (%) | 24.2 - 90.9 | 66 |
Total hydrogen (%) | 0.67 - 4.3 | 2.8 |
Total oxygen (%) | 2.69 - 28.7 | 16.3 |
pH | 6.43 - 10.4 | 9.66 |
Cation exchange capacity (cmol/kg) | 0.1 - 562 | 43.1 |
Surface area (m2/g | 2.78 - 203 | 30.6 |
Electrical conductivity (μs/cm) | 100 - 2221 | 231.5 |
Pore volume (cm3/g) | 0.006 - 0.51 | 0.036 |
Total calcium (%) | 0.0954 - 3.182 | 0.590 |
Total magnesium (%) | 0.0297 - 0.2801 | 0.0587 |
Total copper (%) | 0.0001 - 0.0078 | 0.00025 |
Total zinc (%) | 0.0002 - 0.0152 | 0.00135 |
Total aluminum (%) | 0.001 - 0.1929 | 0.0290 |
Total iron (%) | 0.0009 - 0.2209 | 0.0333 |
Total manganese (%) | 0.0001 - 0.1025 | 0.00145 |
Total sulfur (%) | 0.01 - 0.44 | 0.05 |
Primary references for this data:
|
Potential contaminants associated with biochar are a function of the source material and production temperature. Of greatest concern are metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Oleszcuk et al. (2013) examined metal and PAH concentrations in four biochars (elephant grass, coconut shell, wicker, and wheat straw). Metal concentrations (mg/kg) in the biochars are summarized below. Tier 1 Soil Reference Values (SRVs) are included in parentheses.
Concentrations in biochar are well below Tier 1 SRVs.
In the study by Oleszcuk et al. (2013), total PAHs ranged from 1124.2 ng/g to 28339.1 ng/g. The dominant group of PAHs were 3-ring compounds which comprised 64.6% to 82.6% of total PAHs content. The primary compounds included, in order of abundance, phenanthrene, fluorene, anthracene, and pyrene. No 6-ring PAHs were observed. Concentrations of PAHs and other organic contaminants, such as dioxins, decreases with increasing pyrolysis temperature (Lyu et al., 2016).
In general, biochars mixed with soil do not inhibit germination or root growth. Biochar may enhance soil fertility by providing nutrients or more commonly by slowing the release of nutrients from materials such as compost. was observed. Toxic effects have been observed for some invertebrates, indicating that in sensitive environments, biochar testing is advisable (Oleszcuk et al., 2013; Getz et al., 2018; Flesch et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2017) .
In this section we provide information on effects of biochar on pollutant attenuation and the physical properties of soil and bioretention media.
Biochar is not likely to provide significant phosphorus retention in bioretention practices unless impregnated with cations (e.g. magnesium) during production at relatively low temperatures (e.g. less than 600oC.) |
Biochar may have several properties for managing stormwater, such as increased water and pollutant retention, improving soil physical properties, and attenuating bacteria and pathogens. Biochar has been examined as a potential amendment to engineered media in bioretention or other stormwater control practices. With respect to phosphorus, information from the literature is mixed. Below are summaries from several studies.
Because of a large surface area and internal porosity, biochar can affect soil physical properties (Mohanty et al., 2018; Herrera Environmental Consultants, 2015; Iqbal et al., 2015; Imhoff, 2019; Jien and Wang, 2013). These effects are most pronounced in soils with low organic matter concentration.
The Internation Biochar Initiative (IBI) developed Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil, also referred to The Biochar Standards. These standards provide guidelines and is not a formal set of industry specifications. The goal of The Biochar Standards is to "universally and consistently define what biochar is, and to confirm that a product intended for sale or use as biochar possesses the necessary characteristics for safe use. The IBI Biochar Standards also provide common reporting requirements for biochar that will aid researchers in their ongoing efforts to link specific functions of biochar to its beneficial soil and crop impacts." The IBI also provides a certification program. Information on the standards and certification are found on International Biochar Institute's website or at the IBI's Standardized Product Definition and Product Testing Guidelines for Biochar That Is Used in Soil.
A list of biochar distributors is provided on the United States Biochar Initiative website (USBI). Note the USBI neither provides endorsements nor accepts liability for any particular product or technology listed below.
Because biochar is produced from biomass, including wastes, it is sustainable from an availability or supply standpoint. Sustainable biochar production, however, is less certain based on current economic constraints. Biochar has several potential markets and exploiting these markets is necessary for biochar production to be sustainable. Examples of specific markets include stormwater media, soil health and fertility, and carbon sequestration [Biogreen http://www.biogreen-energy.com/biochar-production/] (accessed December 10, 2019). Sustainable biochar production must also meet certain environmental and economic criteria, includign the following.
For more information, see the International Biochar Initiative discussion on sustainable biochar production. For a discussion of biochar sustainability, see sustainability and Certification (Vereijen et al., 2015).