Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Enhancing carbon sequestration in soil with coal combustion products: a technology for minimising carbon footprints in coal-power generation and agriculture

  • Published:
Climatic Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Coal-fired power generation and agriculture account for more than half of global greenhouse gas emissions, but the coal fly ash (CFA) produced in the former can be a resource for reducing emissions from agriculture to minimise environmental footprints in both industries. Our aim in this study was to test how acidic and alkaline CFA addition could minimise loss of C and N from acidic soil, with or without added manure. We determined composition and structural characteristics of acidic and alkaline CFA for their capacity to adsorb organic carbon, but observed poor adsorption because of low concentrations of cenospheres and unburnt carbon as the primary absorbents in the ash. Addition of CFA had no impact on the loss of carbon or nitrogen from unmanured soil in which concentrations of these nutrients were low. Loss of carbon from manured soil was reduced by 36 % with alkaline ashes and by 3-fold with acidic ashes; while loss of N was 30–50 % lower with acidic ashes, but 28 % higher with alkaline ashes, compared with no ash treatment. The increases in C sparing with CFA addition were achieved not by direct C absorption but by restraining microbial population and respiration, and potentially emissions. Alkaline CFA increased soil pH and if used to substitute just 10 % of lime for ameliorating soil acidity would reduce CO2 emission associated with the mining of the lime and its eventual dissolution in soil by ~ 2.66 Tg or 2.8 % of Australia’s annual agricultural emissions. High concentrations of oxides of phosphorus, silicon, titanium and clay particles in acidic ashes, and oxides of cations in alkaline ashes, were associated with potential for promoting C storage and acidity amelioration in soil.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amonette JE, Kim J, Russell CK (2004) Enhancement of soil carbon sequestration: a catalytic approach. Ame Chem Soc Div Fuel Chem 49:366–367

    Google Scholar 

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics (2014). Soil management in 2011-12: National and State/Territory. www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4630.0main+features112011-12. (Accessed: February 17, 2015)

  • ASN Bank/Ecofys (2013) World GHG Emissions Flow Chart (2010) http://www.ecofys.com/files/files/asn-ecofys-2013-world-ghg-emissions-flow-chart-2010.pdf. (Accessed: March 29, 2015)

  • Bååth E, Anderson TH (2003) Comparison of soil fungal/bacterial ratios in a pH gradient using physiological and PLFA-based techniques. Soil Biol Biochem 35:955–963

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benndorf R (2013) Germany 2050 - A Greenhouse Gas-Neutral Country. http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/publikationen/germany-2050-a-greenhouse-gas-neutral-country. (Accessed: January 20, 2015)

  • Blair N, Faulkner RD, Till AR, Sanchez P (2005) Decomposition of 13C and 15N labelled plant residue materials in two different soil types and its impact on soil carbon nitrogen aggregate stability and aggregate formation. Soil Res 43:873–886

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brock P, Madden P, Schwenke G, Herridge D (2012) Greenhouse gas emissions profile for 1 tonne of wheat produced in Central Zone (East) New South Wales: a life cycle assessment approach. Crop Pasture Sci 63:319–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell CD, Chapman SJ, Cameron CM, Davidson MS, Potts JM (2003) A rapid microtiter plate method to measure carbon dioxide evolved from carbon substrate amendments so as to determine the physiological profiles of soil microbial communities by using whole soil. Appl Environ Microbiol 69:3593–3599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conyers M, Newton P, Condon J, Poile G, Mele P, Ash G (2012) Three long-term trials end with a quasi-equilibrium between soil C N and pH: an implication for C sequestration. Soil Res 50:527–535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DEFRA (2009). Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)—Guidance for farmers. Summary of the guidance for farmers in NVZs (Leaflet 1 - PB12736a). Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, UK. http://adlib.everysite.co.uk/adlib/defra/content.aspx?doc=251225&id=251489. (Accessed: February 25, 2015)

  • Dorahy C, Dougherty W, Chan Y, Waters D (2010) Using recycled organics and manures in grain cropping systems. PrimeFact 1008. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/341762/Using-recycled-organics-and-manures-in-grain-cropping-systems.pdf. (Accessed: February 24, 2015)

  • Drinkwater LE, Wagoner P, Sarrantonio M (1998) Legume-based cropping systems have reduced carbon and nitrogen losses. Nature 396:262–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1974) Key to the FAO Soil Units http://www.fao.org/soils-portal/soil-survey/soil-classification/fao-legend/key-to-the-fao-soil-units/en/ (Accessed: September 23, 2013)

  • Garnaut R (2011) Australia’s emissions in a global context Chapter 7. http://www.garnautreview.org.au/pdf/Garnaut_Chapter7.pdf (Accessed: February 4 2014)

  • Heidrich C, Feuerborn HJ, Weir A (2013) Coal Combustion Products: a Global Perspective. http://www.flyash.info/2013/171-Heidrich-Plenary-2013.pdf (Accessed: February 4 2014)

  • Hütsch BW (1998) Methane oxidation in arable soil as inhibited by ammonium, nitrite, and organic manure with respect to soil pH. Biol Fert Soils 28:27–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IAEA (2001) Use of Isotope and Radiation Methods in Soil and Water Management and Crop. International Atomic Energy Agency Nutrition Training Course Series 14. http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/swmn/public/TCS14-forward-contents.pdf . (Accessed: January 20, 2015)

  • IAEA (2012) Coal’s share of global energy mix to continue rising with coal closing in on oil as world’s top energy source by 2017. http://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/pressreleases/2012/december/name,34441,en.html (Accessed: January 20, 2015)

  • IPCC (2006) N2O emissions from managed soils and CO2emissions from lime and urea application IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/pdf/4_Volume4/V4_11_Ch11_N2O&CO2.pdf (Accessed: February 4, 2014)

  • Jastrow JD, Amonette JE, Bailey VL (2007) Mechanisms controlling soil carbon turnover and their potential application for enhancing carbon sequestration. Clim Chang 80:5–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manoharan V, Yunusa IAM, Loganathan P, Lawrie R, Skilbeck CG, Burchett MD, Murray BR, Eamus D (2010) Assessments of Class F coal fly ashes for amelioration of soil acidity and their influence on growth and uptake of Mo and Se by canola. Fuel 89:3498–3504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masto RE, Sengupta T, George J, Ram LC, Sunar KK, Selvi VA, Sinha AK (2014) The Impact of Fly Ash Amendment on Soil Carbon. Energ Sour Part A: Recov Util Environ Effect 36:554–562

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muriithi GN, Petrik LF, Fatoba O, Gitari WM, Doucet FJ, Nel J, Nyale SM, Chuks PE (2013) Comparison of CO2 capture by ex-situ accelerated carbonation and in in-situ naturally weathered coal fly ash. J Environ Manag 127:212–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ngu LN, Wu H, Zhang DK (2007) Characterization of ash cenospheres in fly ash from Australian power stations. Energ Fuels 21:3437–3445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palumbo AV, Mccarthy JF, Amonette JE, Fisher LS, Wullschleger SD, Daniels WL (2004) Prospects for enhancing carbon sequestration and reclamation of degraded lands with fossil-fuel combustion by-products. Adv Environ Res 8:425–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raask E (1985) Mineral impurities in coal combustion: behavior problems and remedial measures. Taylor & Francis, Washington, DC, 484p

    Google Scholar 

  • Rietz DN, Haynes RJ (2003) Effects of irrigation-induced salinity and sodicity on soil microbial activity. Soil Biol Biochem 35:845–854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seshadri B, Bolan NS, Naidu R, Wang H, Sajwan K (2013) Clean coal technology combustion products: properties agricultural and environmental applications and risk management. Adv Agron 119:310–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaheen SM, Hooda PS, Tsadilas CD (2014) Opportunities and challenges in the use of coal fly ash for soil improvements–a review. J Environ Manag 145:249–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soil Survey Staff (2012) Soil Taxonomy http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/survey/class/taxonomy/ (Accessed: February 24, 2014)

  • Tian Y, Takanashi K, Toda H, Haibara K, Ding F (2013) pH and substrate regulation of nitrogen and carbon dynamics in forest soils in a karst region of the upper Yangtze River basin China. J For Res 18:228–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNFCCC (2014) Greenhouse gas inventory data—detailed data by party. United Nations framework convention for climate change. http://unfccc.int/di/DetailedByParty.do. (Accessed: February 27 2014)

  • US Environment Protection Agency (2013) Inventory of US greenhouse gas emissions and sinks: 1990–2011. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/Downloads/ghgemissions/US-GHG-Inventory-2013-Main-Text.pdf. (Accessed: February 26, 2014)

  • Wang S, Li L, Wu H, Zhu ZH (2005) Unburned carbon as a low-cost adsorbent for treatment of methylene blue-containing wastewater. J Colloid Interface Sci 292:336–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang S, Ma Q, Zhu ZH (2008) Characteristics of coal fly ash and adsorption application. Fuel 87:3469–3473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weintraub MN, Schimel JP (2003) Interactions between carbon and nitrogen mineralization and soil organic matter chemistry in arctic tundra soils. Ecosystems 6:129–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • West TO, McBride AC (2005) The contribution of agricultural lime to carbon dioxide emissions in the United States: dissolution, transport, and net emissions. Agric Ecosyst Environ 108:145–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Resource Institute (2008) Greenhouse Gas Protocol: CO2 emissions from the production of lime. http://www.ghgprotocol.org/calculation-tools/lime-sector. (accessed: February 14, 2015)

  • Yip K, Tian F, Hayashi JI, Wu H (2010) Effect of alkali and alkaline earth metallic species on biochar reactivity and syngas compositions during steam gasification. Energ Fuels 24:173–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young IM, Ritz K (2000) Tillage habitat space and function of soil microbes. Soil Tillage Res 53:201–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yunusa IAM, Manoharan V, Odeh IO, Shrestha S, Skilbeck CG, Eamus D (2011) Structural and hydrological alterations of soil due to addition of coal fly ash. J Soils Sediments 11:423–431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yunusa IAM, Loganathan P, Nissanka SP, Manoharan V, Burchett MD, Skilbeck CG, Eamus D (2012) Application of coal fly ash in agriculture: a strategic perspective. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 42:559–600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yunusa IAM, Manoharan V, Harris R, Lawrie R, Pal Y, Quiton JT, Bell R, Eamus D (2013) Differential growth and yield by canola (Brassica napus L) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L) arising from alterations in chemical properties of sandy soils due to additions of fly ash. J Sci Food Agric 93:995–1002

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Cenosphere analyses and adsorption experiments were undertaken by Prof Hongwei Hu, Dr Xiangpeng Gao, Prof Shaobin Wang and their teams at Curtin University; Prof Hu also commented on the manuscript. We acknowledge the assistance of Leanne Leslie, Michael Faint, Jan Carruthers, Gabrielle Ray and Ewan Paterson, and methodology advice by Drs S.M. Rabbi, Rebecca Hailing and V. Manoharan, and Assoc Prof Brian Wilson. We thank the reviewers for their helpful comments, and the power stations and the Ash Development Association of Australia (ADAA) for their support. This study was supported with UNE Seed Grant, and evolved from an earlier project funded by ADAA and the Australian Research Council (LP0455110).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental & Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia

    Isa A. M. Yunusa, Graeme Blair, Shenjiao Yang, Susan C. Wilson & Iain M. Young

  2. Department of Environment & Agriculture, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia

    Ayalsew Zerihun

  3. Farmland Irrigation Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, People’s Republic of China

    Shenjiao Yang

Authors
  1. Isa A. M. Yunusa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Graeme Blair
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ayalsew Zerihun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shenjiao Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Susan C. Wilson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Iain M. Young
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Isa A. M. Yunusa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yunusa, I.A.M., Blair, G., Zerihun, A. et al. Enhancing carbon sequestration in soil with coal combustion products: a technology for minimising carbon footprints in coal-power generation and agriculture. Climatic Change 131, 559–573 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-015-1388-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-015-1388-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation