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*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. | *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. | *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. | ||
+ | *Domingues, R.R., Paulo F. Trugilho, Carlos A. Silva, Isabel Cristina N. A. de Melo, Leoà nidas C. A. Melo, Zuy M. Magriotis, Miguel A. SaÂnchez-Monedero. 2017. Properties of biochar derived from wood and high-nutrient biomasses with the aim of agronomic and environmental benefits. PLOS ONE | ||
*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. | *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. | *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. | ||
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*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 | *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. | *Klasson, T.K. 2017. Biochar characterization and a method for estimating biochar quality from proximate analysis results. Biomass and Bioenergy. 96:50-58. | ||
+ | *Laird, D., Pierce Flemming, Baiqun Wang, Robert Horton, Douglas Karlen. 2010. Biochar impact on nutrient leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil. Agronomy Publications. Iowa State University. 9 p. | ||
*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. | *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 | *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 | ||
+ | *Mohanty, S.K., Renan Valenca, Alexander W. Berger, Iris K.M. Yu, Xinni Xiong, Trenton M. Saunders, Daniel C.W. Tsang. 2018. Plenty of room for carbon on the ground: Potential applications of biochar for stormwater treatment Science of the Total Environment, 625: 1644-1658. | ||
*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. | *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: | *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: | ||
+ | *Nguyen, N.T. 2015. Adsorption Of Phosphorus From Wastewater Onto Biochar: Batch And Fixed-bed Column Studies | ||
*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. | *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 | + | *Rawat, J., J. Saxena, and 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 |
+ | *Reddy, K.R., Tao Xie, and Sara Dastgheibi. 2014. Evaluation of Biochar as a Potential Filter Media for the Removal of Mixed Contaminants from Urban Storm Water Runoff. Journal Environ Eng. 140:12. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000872 | ||
*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. | *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. | *Spears, S. 2018. [https://regenerationinternational.org/2018/05/16/what-is-biochar/ What is Biochar?] Regeneration International. | ||
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*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 | *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. | *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. | ||
+ | *Yao, Y., Bin Gao, Mandu Inyang, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Xinde Cao, Pratap Pullammanappallil, Liuyan Yang. 2011 Biochar derived from anaerobically digested sugar beet tailings:Characterization and phosphate removal potential. Bioresource Technology. 102:6273-6278 | ||
+ | *Yaoa, Y., Bin Gaoa, Mandu Inyanga, Andrew R. Zimmermanb, Xinde Caoc, Pratap Pullammanappallila, Liuyan Yangd. 2011. Removal of phosphate from aqueous solution by biochar derived from anaerobically digested sugar beet tailings. Journal of Hazardous Materials 190:501–507 | ||
*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 | *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 | *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 | *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 | ||
+ | *Zhaoa, L., Xinde Caoa, Ondˇrej Maˇsekb, Andrew Zimmerman. 2013. Heterogeneity of biochar properties as a function of feedstock sources and production temperatures. Journal of Hazardous Materials 256– 257:1– 9 | ||
*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 | *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 | ||
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).