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Biochar - Science topic

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Biochar, a carbon rich material derived from biomass influences soil microbial diversity and nutrient cycling. Researchers assess its impact through soil microbial analysis, enzyme activity tests and plant growth experiments to determine improvements in soil fertility and crop productivity.
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I'm guiding an undergraduate bioengineering student's research, making biochar from algae. Preliminary results show that besides being able to store carbon, it also produces nitrogen, phosphate and potassium elements. But it has not yet been applied in the field. It is planned that next year it will be continued by other students.
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What are the potential risks and regulatory challenges associated with the use of sewage sludge and biochar in agriculture, particularly in terms of heavy metal accumulation, pathogen presence, and greenhouse gas emissions, and how can these risks be mitigated to ensure sustainable soil management?
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Potential Risks:
  1. Contaminants in Sewage Sludge: Heavy Metals: Sewage sludge can contain heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury, which can accumulate in soils and potentially enter the food chain. Pathogens: Sludge may harbor harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can pose risks to human and animal health if not properly treated. Organic Pollutants: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pharmaceuticals can be present in sludge and may have long-term environmental impacts.
  2. Contaminants in Biochar: Toxic Substances: Depending on the feedstock and production process, biochar can contain toxic substances like dioxins and furans. Heavy Metals: Similar to sewage sludge, biochar can also contain heavy metals if derived from contaminated biomass.
  3. Soil Health: Nutrient Imbalance: Excessive application of sludge or biochar can lead to nutrient imbalances in the soil, affecting plant growth and soil microbial communities. pH Changes: Biochar can alter soil pH, which may affect nutrient availability and soil biology.
  4. Water Quality: Leaching: Contaminants from sludge or biochar can leach into groundwater or surface water, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies. Runoff: Nutrients and contaminants can be transported via runoff, contributing to eutrophication and contamination of water bodies.
  5. Air Quality: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): The application of sludge or biochar can release VOCs, which may affect air quality and human health. Particulate Matter: Dust generated during application can contribute to particulate matter pollution.
Regulatory Challenges:
  1. Standardization and Quality Control: Lack of Uniform Standards: There is often a lack of uniform standards for the quality and safety of sewage sludge and biochar, leading to variability in their composition and potential risks. Monitoring and Testing: Ensuring consistent monitoring and testing for contaminants is challenging but necessary to protect human health and the environment.
  2. Regulatory Frameworks: Inconsistent Regulations: Regulations governing the use of sewage sludge and biochar can vary widely between regions and countries, leading to inconsistencies in safety and application practices. Compliance and Enforcement: Ensuring compliance with regulations and enforcing them can be difficult, particularly in regions with limited resources for oversight.
  3. Public Perception and Acceptance: Stigma and Misinformation: Public perception of sewage sludge and biochar can be negative due to stigma and misinformation, complicating regulatory efforts and acceptance. Community Engagement: Effective communication and community engagement are essential to address concerns and build trust in the safety and benefits of these materials.
  4. Long-Term Impacts: Uncertainty: The long-term impacts of using sewage sludge and biochar on soil health, crop quality, and the environment are not fully understood, necessitating ongoing research and adaptive management. Cumulative Effects: The cumulative effects of repeated applications over time need to be carefully studied to avoid unforeseen consequences.
  5. Economic Considerations: Cost of Treatment and Processing: The cost of adequately treating sewage sludge and producing safe biochar can be high, potentially limiting their use in agriculture. Market Development: Developing markets for these materials requires investment in infrastructure, education, and incentives to encourage adoption.
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How does the application of biochar and sewage sludge (biosolid) influence soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, and what are the key mechanisms through which they enhance soil fertility and crop productivity in different soil types?
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The application of biochar and sewage sludge can significantly influence soil physical, chemical, and biological properties in both beneficial and potentially adverse ways. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Physical Properties
  • Soil Structure & Aggregation: :Biochar enhances soil aggregation by improving soil porosity and reducing bulk density. Sewage sludge contributes organic matter, improving soil structure and aeration.
  • Water Retention & Infiltration: Biochar increases water-holding capacity, particularly in sandy soils. Sewage sludge enhances moisture retention due to its high organic matter and humic substances.
  • Bulk Density & Compaction: Biochar reduces bulk density, making the soil lighter and more aerated. Sewage sludge can sometimes increase bulk density in heavy applications but generally helps loosen compacted soils.
2. Chemical Properties
  • Soil pH: Biochar, especially from alkaline feedstocks, increases soil pH, benefiting acidic soils. Sewage sludge may either increase or decrease pH depending on its composition.
  • Nutrient Availability: Biochar improves cation exchange capacity (CEC), helping retain nutrients like potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Sewage sludge provides essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and micronutrients.
  • Soil Organic Carbon (SOC):Biochar is highly recalcitrant and contributes long-term carbon sequestration. Sewage sludge adds labile organic matter, enhancing microbial activity and short-term carbon dynamics.
  • Heavy Metals & Contaminants: Sewage sludge may introduce heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, etc.), requiring careful management. Biochar can adsorb heavy metals and reduce their bioavailability, mitigating potential risks.
3. Biological Properties
  • Enzyme Activities y & Diversity: Biochar creates microhabitats that can promote microbial diversity and activity. Sewage sludge provides organic substrates that stimulate microbial growth and enzyme activities.
  • Enzyme Activities: Both amendments enhance enzymatic activities related to nutrient cycling (e.g., phosphatase, urease, dehydrogenase).
  • Soil Respiration & Carbon Cycling: Biochar stabilizes organic matter, reducing microbial respiration rates. Sewage sludge increases microbial respiration due to its readily decomposable organic fractions.
  • Pathogen Risks: Sewage sludge may contain pathogens, but proper treatment (e.g., composting) can mitigate risks. Biochar can help suppress certain soil-borne pathogens by modifying the soil microbiome.
Overall Impacts
  • Synergistic Benefits: Combining biochar with sewage sludge can enhance nutrient retention, improve soil structure, and promote microbial activity while reducing heavy metal bioavailability.
  • Potential Risks: Over-application of sewage sludge may lead to heavy metal accumulation and organic pollutant concerns. Biochar can counteract some of these risks, but its effects depend on feedstock and pyrolysis conditions.
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Biochar
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Greeting
Iwould like to be as a team in some work
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What are the comparative effects of biochar and sewage sludge on nutrient availability, soil organic carbon sequestration, and microbial activity, and how do these amendments interact with different cropping systems to improve long-term soil health?
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Biochar and sewage sludge are both valuable soil amendments that can significantly influence nutrient availability, soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, and microbial activity, though their effects differ based on their properties and interactions with soil and cropping systems. Biochar, a carbon-rich product derived from pyrolysis of organic materials, enhances nutrient retention by reducing leaching and improving cation exchange capacity (CEC), particularly in sandy or degraded soils. It also promotes SOC sequestration due to its recalcitrant nature, contributing to long-term carbon storage. Sewage sludge, on the other hand, is rich in organic matter and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can immediately boost soil fertility. However, its application requires careful management to avoid heavy metal contamination and nutrient imbalances. Both amendments stimulate microbial activity, but biochar tends to create a more stable habitat for beneficial microbes due to its porous structure, while sewage sludge provides readily available organic substrates that can temporarily increase microbial biomass and activity.
In my research experience, I observed how beneficial microbes like Rhizobium and Bacillus significantly enhanced the growth and production of Capsicum (bell peppers) when combined with these amendments. Rhizobium, known for its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, improved nitrogen availability in the soil, leading to healthier plant growth and higher yields. Bacillus species, which promote phosphorus solubilization and produce growth hormones, further enhanced root development and nutrient uptake. When biochar was applied, the porous structure provided a favorable environment for these microbes to colonize and thrive, leading to sustained microbial activity and nutrient cycling. Sewage sludge, while providing immediate nutrients, also supported microbial proliferation, but its effects were more pronounced in the short term. Over time, the combination of biochar and beneficial microbes proved more effective in improving soil health and crop productivity, as it balanced nutrient availability, enhanced SOC sequestration, and maintained a robust microbial community. These findings highlight the importance of integrating biochar and microbial inoculants in cropping systems to achieve sustainable soil health and long-term agricultural productivity.
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I have been using a NovaTouch surface area and pore analyzer to measure the surface area of some biochar samples. I have conducted at least several runs, each yielding results with negative intercept and c-constant values. Despite adjusting the parameters multiple times in an attempt to resolve the issue, I have seen very little improvement in my results.
Any assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated.
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You need not to measure adsorption isotherm again, it is suffucien to treat the measured adsorption data by t-plot method
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For the synthesis of a biochar, I have carried out the calcination in two stages and I have done the grinding after the first calcination, is that will affect theadsorption process .
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Yes, pyrolysis can be done in two steps instead of one. This approach is often referred to as “two-step pyrolysis” or “catalytic pyrolysis.” In the first step, the biomass or organic material is heated in laboratory devices (special ovens) in order to break down the large molecules into smaller granules, resulting in bio-oil and char. Further heating or catalytic treatment of the bio-oil is carried out to improve the yield or quality of the product.
The temperature must be regular because it has a significant effect on the material to be heated inside the oven, which leads to improved efficiency and product properties. It can also facilitate the use of specific catalysts that may be more effective under certain conditions.
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I have performed adsorption isotherm tests with 4 adsorbents (Pristine Biochar and three modified Biochar) at two different temperatures., The Freundlich model fitted the best so I want to see whether the adsorbent, temp, and/or interaction has an effect on Kf parameter or not. I am considering two-way ANOVA. So should I check normality using the Shapiro will test or any other test and if yes, how to do it? ( I did my experiments in triplicates)
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Dileep Singh , the question is if these experimental runs are independent. If these runs share something that serves as a source of relevant common variance, then they should not be considered intependent. Such a thing could be a lot of a chemical or compound that may vary considerably in some relevant property.
You must ask yourself if the variability between these experimental runs may be expected to be as large as the variability beteen runs performed in different labs (that do not share the lots you used). If yes, then they can be considered independent. If not, and if the lot was the critical component, then your data allows inference about the properties of that lot you used, and it may not generalize to other lots.
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removal of national organic matter from surface water using biochar
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Natural organic matter (NOM) can be effectively removed from surface water using methods such as coagulation with coagulants like poly aluminum chloride, adsorption with activated carbon, and advanced oxidation processes. Combining these techniques, such as integrating coagulation with ozonation, can enhance removal efficiency and improve overall water quality.
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One of the most important benefits of biochar is that it increases the capacity of sandy soil to ionic exchange, and the soil content of organic matter, which in turn has a high capacity exchange cation(CEC). In addition to the soil’s ability to retain elements such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc, which makes it ready for absorption by the plant.
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Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced through the pyrolysis of organic matter in low-oxygen conditions. Its application to sandy soils significantly impacts their chemical properties, improving fertility, nutrient dynamics, and overall soil health. Here are the detailed effects of biochar on the chemical properties of sandy soil:
1. Increased Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC):
Sandy soils typically have low CEC, meaning they cannot retain nutrients effectively. Biochar has a high surface area and is rich in functional groups, which increase the soil's ability to hold and exchange essential nutrients like calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), potassium (K⁺), and ammonium (NH₄⁺). This prevents nutrients from being washed away by water, making them more available to plants.
2. Improved Nutrient Retention:
The porous structure of biochar acts as a sponge, adsorbing nutrients and water. This reduces nutrient leaching—a common issue in sandy soils due to their large particle size and low organic matter content. As a result, biochar helps maintain soil fertility over time.
3. pH Regulation:
Sandy soils are often acidic, which can limit the availability of certain nutrients. Biochar typically has an alkaline nature, which helps neutralize soil acidity and create a more favorable environment for nutrient uptake and microbial activity. This is especially beneficial for crops sensitive to low ph.
4. Enhanced Soil Organic Carbon (SOC):
Biochar is a stable form of carbon that remains in the soil for long periods. Its addition increases the soil's organic carbon content, which improves nutrient cycling and long-term soil fertility. Biochar also interacts with native organic matter, further enhancing soil chemistry.
5. Improved Microbial Activity:
The chemical composition of biochar supports the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms by providing a habitat and releasing small amounts of nutrients. These microbes play a critical role in nutrient mineralization and improving soil structure.
6. Reduction of Toxic Elements:
Biochar can adsorb toxic elements like heavy metals (e.g., lead, cadmium) and limit their availability in the soil. This property protects plants from toxicity and enhances overall soil health.
7. Greater Efficiency of Fertilizers:
By retaining nutrients and reducing leaching, biochar increases the efficiency of applied fertilizers. This reduces the need for frequent fertilizer applications, making agricultural practices more sustainable.
In conclusion, biochar addresses many of the chemical limitations of sandy soils by improving nutrient retention, increasing pH and CEC, and enhancing soil organic matter. These changes make sandy soils more productive and sustainable for agriculture and plant growth.
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- What is its importance in ionic exchange of sandy soil?
- What is its role as an organic material in capacity exchange cation of sandy soil?
- Its importance in the availability of elements in soil and completing requirements of plant growth and productivity?
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Biochar plays a significant role in improving the chemical properties of sandy soil by increasing its cation exchange capacity (CEC). This enhancement allows the soil to retain essential nutrients, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which would otherwise leach away quickly due to the low nutrient-holding capacity of sandy soil. Biochar also helps to raise the pH of acidic sandy soils, making them more suitable for plant growth. Additionally, it can improve soil microbial activity by providing a habitat for beneficial microorganisms. Overall, biochar contributes to soil fertility, reduces nutrient loss, and supports sustainable agricultural practices in sandy soils.
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Biochar improves all soil properties, especially the physical ones, as it improves soil aeration, which enhances and activates microbial activity. In addition, it has a large surface area that improves the composition and porosity of the soil. All of these properties improve soil moisture content and the ability of the soil to retain moisture, which is positively reflected in plant growth.
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It's also a source of carbon. Are the reduction reactions different when biochar is used??
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@dragan ugrinov with very low carbon content won't it be affect the reduction and thereby overall productivity of blast furnace? Can you please share the %ge of carbon in biochar and the reduction reactions involving biochar?
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How to do Synthesis of Nano biochar using Plant Resources?
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Actually, is there any other method other than physical and mechanical methods that can be used to obtain nanobiochar from biochar?
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While doing adsorption study which pH we should consider whether Pzc or pH at max removal efficiency?
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if you activate you biochar, what does happen to the surface?
This is the question. you should 1st understand, and then you can work with your adsorpitons hypothesis
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The harmful Dye pollution from industrial processes such as textile generated how to remove with magnetic biochar ?
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Dear Doctor
Go To
Magnetic biochar as a revolutionizing approach for diverse dye pollutants elimination: A comprehensive review
Elaheh Hashemi , Mohammad-Mahdi Norouzi , Mousa Sadeghi-Kiakhani
Environmental Research
Volume 261, 15 November 2024, 119548
[Abstract
The term “biomass” encompasses all substances found in the natural world that were once alive or derived from living organisms or their byproducts. These substances consist of organic molecules containing hydrogen, typically oxygen, frequently nitrogen, and small amounts of heavy, alkaline earth and alkali metals. Magnetic biochar refers to a type of material derived from biomass that has been magnetized typically by adding magnetic components such as magnetic iron oxides to display magnetic properties. These materials are extensively applicable in widespread areas like environmental remediation and catalysis. The magnetic properties of these compounds made them ideal for practical applications through their easy separation from a reaction mixture or environmental sample by applying a magnetic field. With the evolving global strategy focused on protecting the planet and moving towards a circular, cost-effective economy, natural compounds, and biomass have become particularly important in the field of biochemistry.
Conclusion
This review focuses on magnetic adsorbents prepared from agricultural waste biomass to remove different dyes from textile wastewater. Adsorption is a desired process for eliminating pollutants thanks to its ease of use, efficacy, energy efficiency, cheapness, lack of harmful by-products, simple design, and magnetic separation capabilities. Recently, magnetic adsorbents have been widely used for dye removal because of their unique surface chemistry containing ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic...]
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How i estimate how much soil organic carbon (SOC) formation and loss by using Organic amendment like Biochar, Manure and biochar? also provide the equation.
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Estimating soil organic carbon (SOC) formation and loss when using organic amendments like biochar, manure, and compost involves several steps and can be approached through different methods, including field experiments, modeling, and laboratory analysis. Here's a general outline of how you can estimate SOC dynamics with these amendments: 1. Field Experiments and Sampling 2. Modeling SOC Dynamics 3. Laboratory Incubation Studies 4. Isotopic Tracing (if applicable) 5. Data Analysis and Interpretation 6. Long-Term Monitoring ,, Tools and Resources: Case Studies and Literature
  • Reviewing case studies and published research where these methods were applied can provide additional insights and specific methodologies relevant to your context. Look for studies on SOC sequestration with biochar, manure, and compost in similar soil types and climates to those you are working with.
  • Example Studies:
  • Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (Eds.). (2015). Biochar for Environmental Management: Science, Technology and Implementation. Earthscan.
  • Lal, R. (2004). Soil Carbon Sequestration Impacts on Global Climate Change and Food Security. Science, 304(5677), 1623-1627.
These steps will help you estimate how much SOC is formed or lost due to the application of organic amendments, and allow you to assess the long-term sustainability and carbon sequestration potential of these practices.
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Distinguish between the carbon sequestration potential of biochar and other negative emission technologies, like afforestation and carbon capture and storage (CCS), and evaluate their relative effectiveness and feasibility.
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Himanshu Tiwari Here's a distinction between the carbon sequestration potential of biochar and other negative emission technologies:
Biochar:
1. Long-term storage: Biochar can store carbon for centuries to millennia.
2. Soil-based: Biochar is applied to soils, enhancing fertility and structure.
3. Carbon sink: Biochar acts as a carbon sink, reducing atmospheric CO2.
4. Scalability: Biochar production can be scaled up or down depending on feedstock availability.
5. Co-benefits: Biochar improves soil health, increases crop yields, and reduces soil erosion.
Afforestation/Reforestation:
1. Short-term storage: Carbon is stored for decades to centuries.
2. Land-based: Requires large areas of land for planting trees.
3. Carbon sink: Trees absorb CO2 through photosynthesis.
4. Scalability: Limited by land availability and competition with agriculture.
5. Co-benefits: Enhances biodiversity, improves water cycles, and supports wildlife habitats.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
1. Short-term storage: Carbon is stored for decades to centuries.
2. Industrial-based: Captures CO2 from power plants and industrial processes.
3. Carbon sink: CO2 is injected into geological formations for storage.
4. Scalability: Limited by high costs, energy requirements, and infrastructure needs.
5. Co-benefits: Reduces emissions from industrial sources, supports clean energy transition.
Key differences:
1. Duration of carbon storage: Biochar offers longer-term storage than afforestation and CCS.
2. Land requirements: Afforestation requires large land areas, while biochar can be applied to existing soils.
3. Scalability: Biochar production can be scaled up or down, while CCS is limited by high costs and infrastructure needs.
4. Co-benefits: Biochar offers additional benefits like soil improvement and increased crop yields.
In summary, biochar offers a unique combination of long-term carbon storage, soil-based application, and co-benefits like improved soil health. While afforestation and CCS are important negative emission technologies, they have different characteristics and
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Since BET and TGA both are very costly instruments and many places the facilities are not available (for large number of samples) hence a threshold degassing temperature and time is preferable
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I need to conduct adsorption studies on Vanadium using Biochars, nanoxides and some other soil amendments . To prepare Vanadium solutions up to 320 ppm with a pH buffered at 7.5 using PIPES buffer, how should I proceed? Yesterday, I used 10 mM PIPES and adjusted pH to 7.5-7.55 for concentrations up to 40 ppm. However, at 80 ppm, pH rose to 11. Adding a few microliters of 1N HNO3 turned the solution yellow, possibly due to deca vanadic acid formation. We have limited buffer and prefer to use orthovanadate only. Any suggestions?"
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Add powder Sigma, St. Louis, MO to 30 mL H2O and adjust to pH 7.5 with HCl. The volume is adjusted and the solution is stored at 4°C for up to two weeks and then at room temp.
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(pure carbon contained in biochar)
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One of the main limitations of the COD test is its inability to differentiate between biodegradable and biologically inert organic matter on its own.it is the amount of oxidant consumed during oxidation of organic substances present in water samples. As per the standard methods of detecting COD, potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) or potassium permanganate (KMnO4) are generally used as oxidizing agents. It was found that for dosages of activated carbon in the range of 50–150 mg/l, the removal efficiencies for BOD increased from 27–70% to 76–94% while those for COD increased from 16–64% to 72–92.5% for inlet values of 45–95 mg/l and 110–200 mg/l for BOD and COD respectively. The activated carbon filter will need to be replaced as its ability to dechlorinate the water will slowly decline. Spent carbon can be re-activated; however, re-activated filters should only be used in waste-water treatment applications. In recent years, the COD has increasingly been replaced by the total organic carbon (TOC) parameter. Since the limit values of the pollution levels are usually given in terms of the COD, efforts are being made to find the correlation between these parameters.
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How does the above items impact the goal towards net zero emissions? What might be the role of the emerging scientists, leaders and professionals for achieving sustainability in agriculture sector? What are the policy loopholes that high polluting industries are still doing the same levels of pollutions although facing sanctions against carbon emissions? What consumers can do to reduce emissions from agricultural sector: Is it by consuming low processed foods or eating less?
What are the potentials of these emerging concepts like Carbon farming, Biochar and agroforestry in achieving sustainability?
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Biochar (biological charcoal) draws carbon from the atmosphere, providing a carbon sink on agricultural lands. Its capacity for carbon sequestration, agricultural improvement, and waste utilization positions it as a key player in the transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Biochar improves soil, leading to better crop growth. Carbon farming captures carbon from the air, reducing pollution. Conservation ecology protects wildlife and natural habitats. Fair consumption means using resources wisely and reducing waste. The Carbon Loophole in Climate Policy assesses the embodied carbon associated with the production of goods that are ultimately traded across borders and therefore excluded from domestic climate policy.Increase productivity of grasslands and croplands, which adds carbon in roots and residues. Increase use of agroforestry, which builds above-ground carbon. Pursue efforts to build soil carbon, despite the challenges, in areas where soil fertility is critical for food security.
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How does the above items impact the goal towards net zero emissions? What might be the role of the emerging scientists, leaders and professionals for achieving sustainability in agriculture sector? What are the policy loopholes that high polluting industries are still doing the same levels of pollutions although facing sanctions against carbon emissions? What consumers can do to reduce emissions from agricultural sector: Is it by consuming low processed foods or eating less?
What are the potentials of these emerging concepts like Carbon farming, Biochar and agroforestry in achieving sustainability?
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A well-structured agricultural marketing system and agribusinesses can help achieve net zero emissions by promoting sustainable practices. For example, better market access reduces food waste, which cuts emissions. Emerging scientists, leaders, and professionals can drive innovation in sustainable farming methods, like using renewable energy or improving soil health.
However, policy loopholes still allow high-polluting industries to emit large amounts of carbon despite sanctions. Stronger regulations and enforcement are needed. Consumers can help by eating less processed food and choosing more plant-based options, which lowers the carbon footprint of their diets.
Emerging concepts like carbon farming, biochar, and agroforestry have great potential. Carbon farming can capture carbon dioxide in soil, biochar improves soil health and locks in carbon, and agroforestry combines trees and crops, enhancing biodiversity and storing carbon. These practices can significantly contribute to agricultural sustainability.
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Standard reagents (H2SO4, antimony, molybdate then ascorbic acid). Normal samples (water washed biochar, which would remove some salts plus a few nutrients, thus the PO4 test). Instant reaction turning the mixture white. I have done P analysis on thousands of aqueous samples of all kinds of sources and never seen this. Any suggestions are appreciated.
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Hi Paul, thanks very much for the thinking on this. The vexing thing is that we prepared 8 samples, all basically the same way (10g biochar with 20ml DI water, shaken overnight), the only difference being the source of biomass and the firing temp of the char. Only two samples had this milky white response to the reagent. I took the pH of all the samples, and the anomalous one was actually the lowest pH (range was 10 to 12), coming in at 10. It sure looks like a precipitate, but the confusing part is that none of the other samples behave like this, and I have done thousands of samples in my career and never seen this. I suppose I could acidify the sample, catch and dry the precipitate and run it on XRD.
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Various organic feedstocks are used in the thermochemical conversion process to produce biochar. It is essential to analyze the resulting biochar for hazardous compounds to ensure its safe use in applications such as environmental remediation, soil amendment, or electricity generation through combustion. The challenge lies in ensuring the complete extraction of the analyte of interest from the biochar, given its highly porous structure that can tightly retain compounds.
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There is no definitive answer to your question unless the nature of the incorporation is known. The usual approaches apply: fine grinding and your informed guesses with different degrees of intensity.
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I am looking for a simple method to synthesize magnetic biochar from plant parts. Is there any?
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Thank you so much Prem Baboo
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I have prepared biochar from a fruit seed. But I want to activate the biochar either by acid or base impregnation.
So, is it necessary to
a) Carbonize the impregnated biochar in a furnace for getting high surface area. or
b) Impregnation followed by drying and washing should be the last step for getting activated biochar.
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Thank you Mam for your reply.
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What is climate change, does it actually exist, if exist what the developed countries doing to mitigating it?
Why only poor countries suffer from climate change and what can we do to preserve our Himalayas?
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You can act locally and a big effect can be through political pressure on developed countries
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Which approach is the best? Basic biomass activation before or after biochar synthesis?
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Post activation shows the better results, but then there is the activated char clean-up and neutralisation. There is also a significant mass loss of char in the process. There are lots of publications on this subject. The stronger the alkali, the higher the temperature, the more the mass loss and the higher the surface area.
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In the realm of soil science and agricultural sustainability, what are the key factors influencing the long-term stability and effectiveness of biochar as a soil amendment, particularly in different soil types and environmental conditions?
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Biochar's long-term effectiveness in soils is influenced by its original material and how it was made, along with the type of soil, climate, and how it's used in land management. Different combinations of these factors can affect how well biochar improves soil health, stores carbon, and supports plant growth over time.
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After cleaning your biochar, do you use filtration using GF/F filter or do you use syringe to extract the filtrate and put it on cuvette and subject it to UV-VIS?
Thank you!
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You need to use whatever pore size/material that gives you clear solutions.
You may find that whatever colloids are present will pass different filter sizes to a variable degree. Under such circumstances, I suggest you be more specific in your description.
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I am cleaning biochar with DI water.
For me to prove that my biochar is already clean, I subject it to UV-Vis at 254 nm. Sometimes 274nm, 284nm. The result should be 0.00.
But my prof said I should use 254nm.
I just wonder why at 254nm?
I've searched a lot on google but nobody can specifically explain this so I wrote down my qusetion here. Hope somebody can answer it in simplest terms. Thank you!
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Hi, Sir Yuri Mirgorod ! Thank you very much!
Noted on this!
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I have the BET data of pristine biochar and Iron-functionalised biochar, in which the pore radius of iron-functionalised biochar comes greater. Simply if the iron nanoparticles fit into the pores of biochar the pore radius should decrease but it is not happening. I have read somewhere that it could be possible due to that because nanoparticles scratch the pore and thus increase the pore size of biochar.
Kindly suggest the correct reason with references.
Thanks in advance
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Your table apparently gives the specific surface area. As the pore radius decreases, the specific surface area should increase, but it decreases. It can not be so.
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Hi, I did FTIR of my oxidized biochar samples and found that peak area is larger after deloading of phosphorus rather than loading of phosphorus. So far i know peak area will be smaller after deloading of phosphorus rather than loading of phosphorus. What is the science behind this result?
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Bonsoir!
  • Il existe ici dans cet article deux fertilisants en terme agronomique notamment le phosphore et le biocarbone.
  • On peut comprendre que l'un et l'autre ont des actions tout à fait différentes dans un contexte agronomique.
  • Le phosphore (élément minéral) de formule chimique développée ou sous d'autres forme est associé à d'autres, il s'agit de: H3PO4 (acide phophorique)du NaPO4-- (phosphate de sodium), MgPO4 (phosphate de magnésium),etc.....
  • Le rôle du phosphore, il agit comme fertilisant pour l'ensemble des cultures. Il possède aussi d'autres fonctions,
  • On le trouve dans le jaune d'oeuf, son radical est rencontré au niveau des structures génétiques (ADN, ARN,..
  • Le carbone de base forme la matière organique, celle-ci participe activement dans la fertilisation des espèces cultivées, il est combiné souvent à l'azote (N), à l'hydrogène (H), et à l'oxygène (O).
  • L'élément carbone est suffisamment connu pour son utilité comme matière première pour la fabrication d’ustensiles, de barres, etc....
Concernant le contenu de l'article scientifique celui-ci nous autorise à élaborer des remarques constructives, que nous aurons l'occasion d'y revenir!!!
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What is mechanism involved when mixed Biochar and Urea?
How its absorbed by Nitrogen by Biochar and slow release of N.
Pls clarify my doughts
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The use of biochar based N fertilizers has been considered among the most effective strategy for reducing nitrogen loss and improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). And slow release of nitrogen.BCU is manufactured by coating biochar outside urea with a coating machine. Te percent of biochar in BCU is about 22.56%.
The reduction of nitrogen loss and improvement of NUE could be attributed to the porosity, large specific surface area, surface charges, variety of surface functional groups and a small amount of active carbon present in Biochar. These properties of biochar could increase soil water holding capacity, adsorb inorganic nitrogen, influence nitrification and denitrification of nitrogen in soil, increase microbial biomass, and change soil structure of bacterial community .
Biochar used for BCU can be prepared based on pyrolysis of vinasse in a fixed-bed heating furnace. The pyrolysis temperature was 600 °C and the pyrolysis time is about 90 min. The pH, specific surface area, ash content, C content, H content, N content, O content, O/C molar ratio, and H/C molar ratio of biochar are 8.88, 172.48 g/m2, 29.89%, 61.32%, 1.62%, 2.79%, 1.66%, 0.02, 0.32, respectively.
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Common parameters would be 200C for 8 hours for activated carbon/biochar. How about graphene oxide? Does it differ?
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Hello Ipah, I agree with what Dr. Ganachari explained, so much is that as it is a material that has already been transformed into graphene oxide, this material will no longer behave like a common carbonaceous material, as materials such as biomass or even Even carbon that has not been activated or transformed into some other material, can be treated at temperatures above 100 °C, the ideal for these materials (graphene oxides or activated carbon) is temperatures of 150 to 180 °C for 8 to 12 hours another detail that you have to keep an wacthful on is which analysis gas will be adopted and its purity, as these parameters also influence the analysis, a quantity of material that is used for analysis ~ 150 mg is already a quantity enough for BET analysis, of course depending on the sample holder, the good thing about this characterization is that you don't "lose the sample"
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Which TEM grids can be used to analyse biochar material, it is fine powder . Any TEM expert can help??
Thanks and Regards
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Thank you so much Sir
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I am looking for a simple method (on the co-precipitation technique)for producing magnetic biochars without applying high temperature.
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Check out the article below:
Materials | Free Full-Text | Magnetic Biochar Obtained by Chemical Coprecipitation and Pyrolysis of Corn Cob Residues: Characterization and Methylene Blue Adsorption (mdpi.com)
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I have been cleaning my biochar for 4 days now! It's hard to make it 0.00 adsorbance in the UV-vis. Worse, it was at 0.019 already before but after cleaning again it became 0.038! I do not know why it went up. hmm.
How do you clean your biochar prior to experiment?
Please help me.
Thank you!
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I've no experience, and guess that the answer depends on what you intend to use the biochar for and where the absorbance falls
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I would like to invite any experienced researcher to give us clarifications on the above terms. Thank you very much in advance.
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The nature of biochar is to expand niches for biological microbial communities. The physical spaces are habitats for these organisms to fix and abide. The role in an acid soil includes a liming effect. The alkaline nature of many chars can immobilize micronutrients in alkaline soil conditions. The carbon in soil can increase dramatically will biochar as the stablized pyrolized carbon can take thousands of years to decay.
The ability to increase soil organic matter levels can depend more on the resistance of the materials to decay rather than just the quantity.
Because the char conversion can yield a renewable energy resource but also it has the significant ability to sequester in the soil carbon which otherwise would reside as atmospheric carbon dioxide.
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Should I calculate total organic carbon from biochar through loss on ignition Methode?
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The choice of method for calculating total organic carbon in biochar depends on your specific goals and the characteristics of your samples. While loss on ignition (LOI) can provide an estimate of total organic carbon, it may not be as accurate as other methods like combustion or wet oxidation. Consider the purpose of your analysis and the precision required for your results when deciding on the appropriate method.
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I am incorporating biochar treatment in my experiment. I have container volume of 1.5m*1.5.*1m. The application rate of biochar is 20t/ha (i.e 2kg/m2).
I will do a surface treatment for 0-20 cm. So, the depth is 0.2m.
My question is if my calculation is correct for biochar amount that i calulated.
Biochar (kg)=Biochar application rate (kg/m2)×Depth (m)× Container area (m2)
= 2*0.2*2.25
= 0.9 kg
(please also let me know if i need to know soil bulk density and if yes how will be the calculation done)
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Who ! good Question
Slightly Correction
In your question
Biochar Mass M in kg= (kg/m2) ×Depth (m)× Container area (m2) =Kg. m
Not Fit, you must be known Mass Kg=Density X Volume
Biochar amount m (kg)= m = density(ρ) X Volume (V)
Biochar application rate (kg/m3) X {(Depth (m)× Container area (m2)} =m (Kg)
=2 X (1/0.2) X 0.2 X 2.25
4.45 Kg
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Use of muffle furnace for biochar production, with or without adding additional nitrogen, how does it is gonna affect the biochar production. The nitrogen is used for creating an inert atmostphere, is it necessary to attach it while working with a muffle furnace or the specific desiging of muffle furnace is sufficient to meet the requirements?
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Wood Bio char is produced by pyrolysis, with Nitrogen Therefore, nitrogen is purged to remove any gases (O2 etc.) present in pyrolysis reactor and also, to provide inert atmosphere. The idea is to control the heating process such that carbon loss to carbon dioxide is minimized therefore minimizing loss of fixed carbon to environment, use of nitrogen helps to reduce the burning of the pyrolysis product thereby improving the yield.500℃ of pyrolysis temperature is used to make wood . The biochar fixed carbon contents increased with increasing feedstock treatment temperatures. Typical oxygen to carbon ratios (O:C) are between 0.2 and 0.6, which are called char or charcoal, depending on the position in the black carbon spectrum. If no oxygen is present combustion does not occur, rather the biomass thermally decomposes into combustible gases and bio-char
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After cabonization and activation, biomass cellulose were transformed to biochar. But when I collected the XRD specturm, a stranger peak at 10° appeared. how could explain this peak.
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For XRD, the figure shows a remarkable and mysterious description of the x-y axes (cycle number - capacitance retention). Is it even a diffraction pattern? If so, the peak at diffraction angle 10o 2 theta may be a consequence of insufficient sample size. The irradiated area was probably significantly larger than the size of the sample.
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these are Raman spectroscopy analysis for biochar and raw samples
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It is better to increase the acquisition time, or energy, to improve the spectra quality. After you can deconvolute each spectrum using Gauss curve (centered around 1347 cm-1 for the D band and 1579 cm-1 for the G band). The graphitization index ID/IG can be computed as these to bands areas ratio.
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I have implemented an adsorption test of heavy metal solution using wood straw biochar(without any Acid/Alkali activation) as an adsorbent. The degassing temp was 200C for 6h. After adsorption, there is a 10-15% increase in surface area.
Kindly note that the test was repeated 2 times with the nearby same results. What could be the possible reasons for it?
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This is quite interesting.
It is believed that the pyrolysis at an elevated temperature (≥700 °C) usually lead to higher porosities in the product derived from woody feedstocks. This could be due to the slow decomposition of lignin in woody feedstocks at lower temperature. Rate of decomposition increases at higher temperature (≥700 °C) leading to higher porosities in the pyrolyzed product. On the other hand, peat-based biomass is characterized with higher content of hemicellulose which easily gets decomposed relatively at lower temperatures and produced porous biochar.
May be after the degassing at 200 for 6 h, the content of residual hemicellulose in your biochar started degrading. There may be other reasons for that, but I think you need to check the composition of hemicellulose and lignin.
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I don't know either I should wash mineral from biochar after the modification or not.
thanks for your answers.
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Washing biochar modified with minerals such as bentonite or diatomite can be a complex process, as it varies depending on the specific circumstances and desired outcome. However, certain general steps can be followed to ensure adequate washing of biochar and removal of minerals in the final step. These steps include preparation, initial rinse, decantation, filtration, and drying. It is important to note that the washing process may differ based on various factors, such as the type and amount of mineral used for modification, as well as the intended application of the modified biochar. Therefore, it is recommended to consult specific guidelines or protocols provided by experts or manufacturers for the best results.
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I am doing research on biochar effect on plant. So I need it to understand it's impact on plant growth.
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I believe that the ideal values for ash content, volatile matter, and pH of biochar depend on the specific application, but some general guidelines can be followed:
  1. Ash Content:Ideal: Low ash content (ideally below 10%). Effect of High Value: High ash content can reduce the carbon content and introduce unwanted impurities, affecting its performance negatively.
  2. Volatile Matter:Ideal: Low volatile matter content (typically below 20%). Effect of High Value: High volatile matter can lead to emissions and reduce the biochar's carbon content, diminishing its effectiveness.
  3. pH:Ideal: pH should match the needs of the target soil or environment (usually neutral or slightly alkaline for most agricultural uses). Effect of High or Low Value: Extreme pH values can limit biochar's effectiveness, but a specific pH may be required for certain applications. Overall, understanding the requirements of the intended use is crucial, and deviations from these ideal values can impact the biochar's performance in its intended application.
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What is preparation method of magnetic and nano biochar?
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The key difference is the presence of Fe3O4 or not in the prepared biochar. If it contains magnetic Fe3O4, we call the biochar magnetic biochar. If not, we call it biochar. If the size of the biochar is within nanometer, we call it nano biochar. The size reduction tech such as ball milling or in-situ synthesis can make it nano.
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It was found during the title system: Characterization and Adsorption Performance of Puffed Rice Biochar for Methyl Orange Dye Removal
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Pre-treatment: The preparation and pre-treatment of biochar can also impact its adsorption capabilities. Puffed rice biochar might not have undergone suitable activation or modification processes to enhance its adsorption properties.
Chemical Properties: The chemical composition of the biochar can influence its adsorption capacity. Some biochars may have functional groups on their surface that enhance their ability to adsorb certain pollutants. Puffed rice biochar may lack these functional groups or have an unfavorable chemical composition for dye removal.
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Because the soil chemistry, agriculture, microbiology people recommends biochar application (5 to max 30 ton/ha) whereas soil physics, geotech people uses 5%, 10% by weight of biochar (nearly if convert almost 100-200 ton/ha) to see the effect in hydraulic conductivity, water retention, strength etc. But if such high doses applied then plant wont survive. Therefore in terms of biochar application are soil physics/ mechanics and soil chemistry/ microbiology contradicts?
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  • It seems like your question is asking whether the amount of biochar used for soil physics and geo-techniques is sustainable for plant growth and economically viable. To answer this, it's important to note that the effectiveness and economic feasibility of biochar applications depend on various factors such as the type of soil, plant species, biochar quality, and intended purpose.
  • Research indicates that biochar, when used judiciously and in the right conditions, can enhance soil fertility, improve water retention, and sequester carbon, promoting plant growth. However, excessive use of biochar might alter soil properties adversely, affecting plant health.
  • Regarding economic feasibility, the cost-effectiveness of biochar application varies. Factors like biochar production costs, transportation, and application methods influence its economic viability. Economic analyses are essential to determine the feasibility of large-scale biochar applications in agriculture and other fields.
  • In summary, the appropriate use of biochar can benefit soil health and plant growth, but its effectiveness and economic viability depend on careful consideration of specific conditions and cost-benefit analyses. Therefore, while biochar holds promise, its application must be tailored to individual contexts to ensure both plant survival and economic feasibility.
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Describe the potential co-benefits and drawbacks of biochar application in agriculture, such as improved soil fertility, reduced nutrient leaching, and alterations in crop yields, using evidence from field research.
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Bonsoir!
Le biochar ou ce qui peut l’être améliore la dite production végétale.
  • On peut comprendre que tout cela dépend bien entendu de la fertilité des sols (substrats nourriciers),
  • A partir de cette donne il est utile de connaitre les éléments fertilisants principaux (Azote N, phosphore P et potasse K) et secondaires oligo-éléments (Magnésium Mg, Calcium Ca, Sulfates SO4 2(-), ...),
  • En agriculture cela est connu par une grande partie des agriculteurs, mais parfois les apports ne sont pas tout à fait respectés, ce qui entraîne des problèmes liés à la nutrition.
  • L'eau où sont dissous les éléments est à prendre en considération au niveau qualitatif (absence de salinité, d'éléments polluants, etc...).
  • Maintenant il s'agit de mieux apréhender on peut dire les expérimentations conduites en plein champ et au laboratoire afin de répondre ou tenter de répondre aux problématiques, quelle tache!
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Assess how each method impacts the physicochemical properties of biochar and its greenhouse gas mitigation potential ?
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For the classification of the various biochar production methods, I consider that the concepts of the combustion, pyrolysis and gasification operations involved must be taken into consideration, which in one way or another lead to the quantity and quality of the product obtained. In this, the stoichiometric equations until reaching the Boudouar equation 2CO → CO2 + C, is the main aspect. This is achieved by controlling the reactions that take place during the decomposition of biomass into liquid and gaseous compounds, the reactions that take place between the solid, liquid and gaseous phases, the control of the temperature and the configuration of the fluid displacement zone. . In general; Pyrolysis is the thermal degradation of biomass in the absence of an oxidizing agent, it is a thermal transformation process in which it is possible to obtain solid, liquid or gaseous products and, on the other hand, it is the first step in the processes of gasification and combustion. With the configuration of the fluid displacement zone, the time factor necessary for the stoichiometry of the reactions is regulated.
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Hello respected researchers,
Can anybody guide me that , is it okay if smoke release from muffle furnace while preparing biochar
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High pyrolysis temperature promotes the production of biochar with a strongly developed specific surface area, high porosity, pH as well as content of ash and carbon, but with low values of CEC and content of volatile matter. This is most likely due to significant degree of organic matter decomposition. I know smoke is hazardous but not at that level. But charcol is better than direct burning of coal.
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It is well known that when addign biochar, soil TC will increase. Ideally, assuming the TC contents of soil and biochar are a% and b%, respectively. Now if we added biochar at 3% (mass ratio) to soils. The ideal TC contents (X) should be the solution of a%+b%*3%=(1+3%)X? But we found after adding biochar, TC of soils usually is much lower than the estimated X. Well after adding there may be C loss via gas loss. How do you think? Did anyone ever check your measurement?
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I agree with Paul, If the soil was strongly acidic respiration might increase if the biochar increased the pH to a more favorable level. However, it's also likely that the act of incorporation may have caused a large C-loss through increased respiration. The question then relates to having a well-matched control treatment.
Can you test the respiration hypothesis? Paul.
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because both will act as to improve organic carbon in soil
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No
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Dear colleagues,
I would like to design a research plan and use biochar particles in wheat seeds germination tests under salinity stress. I am unsure if the biochar granules or particles can be used directly in the petri dish.
Furthermore, flavonoids as a biostimulant will be used as another treatment. Can be flavonoid in commercial type as a biostimulant?
Can flavonoid and biochar be used in combination in the Petri dish?
Many thanks in advance...
Best regards,
Roghie Ghadirnezhad
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yes
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The challenge is how can i use the biochar without washing out the inherent phosphorous and have it not leach out phosphorous during absorption experiment?
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During absorption experiments, the sorption or leaching will depend on the concentration of the phosphate solution. Previous research work has revealed an increase in the concentration of phosphorus at equilibrium time after sorption experiments at lower phosphate solution concentrations, while at higher concentrations of phosphate solution, sorption was observed.
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If both are different, what would be the difference?
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No, chemically engineered biochar and chemically modified biochar are not the same terms.
Chemically engineered biochar refers to biochar that has been intentionally modified through chemical processes to enhance its properties or functionality. This modification can involve the introduction of specific chemicals or additives to alter the biochar's surface chemistry, pore structure, or other characteristics. The goal of chemically engineering biochar is to tailor its properties for specific applications, such as environmental remediation or water treatment.
On the other hand, chemically modified biochar is a broader term that encompasses any form of biochar that has undergone chemical modifications. This includes both chemically engineered biochar and biochar that has been modified through other means, such as impregnation with chemicals or surface treatments.
In summary, chemically engineered biochar refers specifically to biochar that has been intentionally modified through chemical processes, while chemically modified biochar is a broader term that encompasses any form of biochar that has undergone chemical modifications, regardless of the specific method used.
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Models, for biochar estimatimation and prediction for Africa use by using mata analysis.
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Can you give more details and tell what you are trying to do or give any insights into the data which is available to you. ?
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My research is all about finding the aroma compounds present in bioethanol and by using activated carbon, I wanted to remove the unpleasant odor present in the bioethanol.
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Hi Mary, You may need a combination of methods to identify such compounds, e.g., a chromatographic technique for separation followed by a variety of detectors. You will ultimately need samples of pure compounds to complete the study, Paul.
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Models for biochar use estimation and future prediction in Afria
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What is the purpose? Can you identify currently unused input sources?
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Dear colleagues
Where can I find information on determining water holding capacity of biochar?
Best Regards
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Volume of water retained by biochar divided by volume of biochar, gives water holding capacity of biochar.
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I am going to conduct a three-year research project on soil health in vegetable crop production using soil conservation practices in Quebec, Canada. My treatment could be fertilization level as a first factor using concentrated poultry manure, inorganic fertilizers, and the mixture of concentrated poultry manure and inorganic fertilizers, all with an application of biochar (yes/no) and no application (control). The next level could be cover crop plantation (yes/no). The crop to be planted will be lettuce. My research objective will be to find out the impact of these treatments on soil health and crop yield.
Since I was wishing to apply biochar in a large unit and incorporate them with a tractor, I thought about the Split-plot design (Main factor: Biochar) and seeding cover crops by hand. I am not sure about the number of factors that I will make. I am open to your suggestions. Please suggest different statistical references to my treatment too.
Which research design would you think to be suitable for me with these kinds of treatments? Please briefly elaborate on your ideas. Also, I am happy to receive valuable suggestions regarding my project and regarding other soil conservation practices too (except tillage practices).
Your valuable advice will be highly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.
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ِDear, Dr. Krishna Poudel. You are looking for a very good goal in action. In order to provide you with the right decision, you should first introduce the climatic components and the target soil environment in a table, and then we would give you a model based on the environmental data for soil health.
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Testing for metal content in biochar
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This paper might be helpful: Wathudura et al 2020.
A couple of points to add to Lamia Fatima 's answer:
  1. Homogenization needs to be done with a non-contaminating grinder. Steel toothed grinders can and do wear down, leaving quite noticeable amounts of their compostion in the sample. Often quite at random, which gets annoying. Use a known "clean" sample to check - 10 or 20 sequential samples should show up if any wear is occurring. We used to use rice as it had a low element density. You might need something a bit more substantial for biochar.
  2. It depends on which elements you are interested in. Biochar may require some stronger acids than nitric and hydrochloric. PLEASE make sure you have the appropriate safety equipment if you use stronger acids, they can be very hazardous. Also, check the acid for contaminating elements. Glass is not as inert as you expect, and will leach elements (usually the ones you are interested in) into the acid during storage. This also goes for the test tubes you may be using to digest the samples, do a blank digest on all of them before starting, if you are unsure of their previous history (including brand new ones).
  3. Filtration - like 1 and 2 above, can add contaminating elements to your samples. Centrifuging and careful decanting may be a better option. Test any hardware that comes in contact with samples and solutions for potential contamination.
  4. Dilution, again, potential for contamination (1, 2 & 3 above), and errors in pipetting are also common at this stage. Note that some elements are not fully removed by ion-exchange units (Boron particularly).
  5. Make sure your calibration standards match the composition of your digested samples, otherwise you will get erroneous results.
Best of luck.
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Hej!
I made a corn growth experiment with differents biochar treatments, and I would like to assess now the potential of phosphate solubilizing of the different bacteria populations of some pots, in order to compare them.
I learned that the NBRIP medium (Mehta & Nautiyal 2001) might be used, but as I don't want to isolate or identify those, I would need a method that could provide me a semi-quantitativ method to count them, or to assess what they represent on the total population.
Thank you for your responses!
Best regards, Léo.
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Biochar used to correct soil acidity
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If the use is to correct acidity the more important long-term property may be 'lime equivalent' rather than CEC and lime equivalent is readily measured by titration.