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Dissertation
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF BIOCHAR PRODUCED FROM DIFFERENT FEEDSTOCKS AND TEMPERATURES WITH POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE PROPERTIES OF SANDY SOIL
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000002398
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/120124
Abstract
Biochar is a carbon-rich material made by carbonizing organic materials (e.g., manure, agricultural residues, etc.) in a zero or limited oxygen environment. The resulting material often has positive effects on soil chemical and physical properties and plant growth, though the effects depend on feedstock, production conditions, and soil types. Due to this variability, determining the optimum biochar for a given soil and environment requires a directed effort. The overall goal of this project is the characterization of biochar from four feedstocks available in southern Libya, and identification of one or more biochar that improve agriculturally limiting properties of sandy soil in arid regions. Four feedstock materials, Tamarix aphylla wood and bark (TWB), anaerobic digester fiber (AD), perennial rye straw (PS), and Arundo sp. biomass (AB) were pyrolyzed at four different temperatures (300, 400, 500, 600 °C). Biochar from AB, PS, and AD had greatest water holding capacity at 2.6 to 3.2 times the mass of biochar itself. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) was largely determined by feedstock, with PS providing very high CEC. Lower temperature yielded relatively more biochar, such that 300 °C pyrolysis of PS produced the greatest amount of high CEC product. Post-pyrolysis treatment can also affect characteristics, for instance hydrophobicity followed the order non-washed biochar < water washed biochar < acid-washed biochar. TW and PS biochar were rinsed to remove soluble ash, then added to sandy soil at 2% w/w. Feedstock type and pyrolysis conditions both affected the physical and chemical impacts of biochar addition to sandy soil, with feedstock having somewhat greater effect. Biochar from PS at 300 ˚C most improved chemical and physical properties of sandy soil, including increasing available water 113% and CEC 26%. Sandy soil amendment with biochar produced at 400 ˚C increased plant available water the least, and increased saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, while biochar produced at other temperatures were more similar and beneficial. Testing regionally available feedstocks and pyrolysis temperatures is critical to producing biochar that will have the intended effect on soil. Biochar from PS pyrolyzed at 300 ˚C is recommended for southern Libya and other sandy soils in arid regions.
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Details
- Title
- CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF BIOCHAR PRODUCED FROM DIFFERENT FEEDSTOCKS AND TEMPERATURES WITH POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE PROPERTIES OF SANDY SOIL
- Creators
- Abdelsalam Abobaker Aldrmon
- Contributors
- LYNNE A CAEPENTER (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Crop and Soil Sciences, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 91
- Identifiers
- 99900606653201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation