Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessing the influence of biochars on the hydraulic properties of a loamy sand soil

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A laboratory analysis is presented in this study that evaluates the impact of three different biochars, derived from biowastes of sludge (SDB), manure (MDB) and spent coffee grounds (SCGDB), on the physical properties of a loamy sand soil. Column experiments are conducted to measure the hydraulic conductivity and water content of these biochars when mixed with soil at a fixed concentration (5% with respect to (w.r.t) reference soil) under saturated conditions. The results show a substantial increase of the hydraulic conductivity for the biochars derived from SCGDB and SDB, whereas no changes were observed for MDB. The saturated water content is increased with the addition of SCGDB and trivial changes are observed for the remaining treatments. Numerical computations using HYDRUS-1D are conducted for a hypothetical scenario, revealing the different impact that each biochar has on the reference 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
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lehmann J, Joseph S (2009) Biochar for environmental management: science and technology. Earthscan, London

    Google Scholar 

  2. Major J, Lehmann J, Rondon M, Goodale C (2010) Fate of soil-applied black carbon: downward migration, leaching and soil respiration. Glob Change Biol 16:1366–1379. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.02044.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Downi A, Crosky A, Munroe P (2009) Physical properties of biochar. In: Biochar for environmental management: science and technology. Earthscan, London, pp 13–29

  4. Ouyang L, Wang F, Tang J, Yu L, Zhang R (2013) Effects of biochar amendment on soil aggregates and hydraulic properties. J Soil Sci Plant Nut 13(4):991–1002. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-95162013005000078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wong JTF, Chen ZK, Ng CWW, Wong MH (2016) Gas permeability of biochar amended clay: potential alternative landfill cover material. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:7126–7131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4871-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Basso AS, Miguez FE, Laird DA, Horton R, Westgate M (2013) Assessing potential of biochar for increasing water-holding capacity of sandy soils. GCB Bioenergy 5:132–143. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Ulyett J, Sakrabani R, Kibblewhite M, Hann M (2014) Impact of biochar addition on water retention, nitrification and carbon dioxide evolution from two sandy loam soils. Eur J Soil Sci 65:96–104. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12081

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Dugan E, Verhoef A, Robinson S, Sohi S, Gilkes R, Prakpongkep N (2010) Biochar from sawdust, maize stover and charcoal: Impact on water holding capacities (WHC) of three soils from ghana. In: Proceedings of the 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Brisbane, Australia 1–6 August

  9. Karhu K, Mattila T, Bergstrom I, Regina K (2011) Biochar addition to agricultural soil increased CH4 uptake and water holding capacity-Results from a short-term pilot field study. Agric Ecosyst Environ 140:309–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2010.12.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Asai H, Samson BK, Stephan HM, Songyikhangsuthor K, Homma K, Kiyono Y, Inoue Y, Shiraiwa T, Horie T (2009) Biochar amendment techniques for upland rice production in N,orthern Laos 1. Soil physical properties, leaf SPAD and grain yield. Field Crop Res 111:81–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2008.10.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ayodele A, Oguntunde P, Joseph A, Souza Dias Junior M (2009) Numerical analysis of the impact of charcoal production on soil hydrological behavior, runoff response and erosion susceptibility. Rev Bras Cienc Solo 33:137–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Stylianou M, Christou A, Dalias P, Polycarpou C, Michael P, Agapiou A, Papanastasiou P, Fatta-Kassinos D (2020) Physicochemical and structural characterization of biochar derived from the pyrolysis of biosolids, cattle manure and spent coffee grounds. J Energy Inst 93(5):2063–2073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2020.05.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Jeffery S, Meinders MB, Stoof CR, Bezemer TM, van de Voorde TFJ, Mommer L, van Groenigen W (2015) J. Biochar application does not improve the soil hydrological function of a sandy soil. Geoderma 251-252:47–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2015.03.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hardie M, Clothier B, Bound S, Oliver G, Close D (2014) Does biochar influence soil physical properties and soil water availability? Plant Soil 376:347–361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1980-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Major J, Rondon M, Molina D, Riha SJ, Lehmann J (2012) Nutrient leaching in a Colombian savanna oxisol amended with biochar. J Environ Qual 41(4):1076–1086. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2011.0128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Brewer CE, Chuang VJ, Masiello CA, Gonnermann H, Gao X, Dugan B, Driver LE, Panzacchi P, Zygourakis K, Davies CA (2014) New approaches to measuring biochar density and porosity. Biomass Bioenergy 66:176–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.03.059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Lehmann J., da Silva JP Jr, Rondon MCM, Greenwood J, Nehls T, Steiner C, Glaser B (2002) Slash-and-char—a feasible alternative for soil fertility management in the Central Amazon. In: 17th world congress of soil science, Bangkok

  18. Jeffery S, Bezemer TM, Cornelissen G, Kuyper TW, Lehmann J, Mommer L, Sohi SP, van de Voorde TFJ, Wardle DA, Van Groenigen JW (2013) The way forward in biochar research: targeting trade-offs between the potential wins. Glob Chang Biol Bioenergy 7(1):1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Simunek J, van Genuchten M. T. h., Sejna M (2008) Development and applications of the HYDRUS and STANMOD software packages and related codes. Vadose Zone J 7(2):587–600. https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2007.0077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Simunek J, Sejna M, Saito H, Sakai MT, van Genuchten M (2009) The HYDRUS-1D software package for simulating the movement of water, heat, and multiple solutes in variably saturated media. Version 4.08. HYDRUS. Software Series 3 p. 330, Department of Environmental Sciences. University of California, Riverside. USA

  21. Horel A, Toth E, Gelybo G, Dencso M, Farkas C (2019) Biochar amendment affects soil water and CO2 regime during capsicum annuum plant growth. Agronomy 9:58. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9020058

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Wu Y, Yang A, Zhao Y, Liu Z (2019) Simulation of soil water movement under biochar application based on the Hydrus-1D in the black soil region of China. Appl Ecol Env Res 17(2):4183–4192. https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1702_41834192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Lim TJ, Spokas KA, Feyereisen G, Novak JM (2016) Predicting the impact of biochar additions on soil hydraulic properties. Chemosphere 142:136–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.06.069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Tan KH (1995) Soil sampling, preparation, and Analysis. Books in soils, plants, and the environment. Taylor & Francis, New York

    Google Scholar 

  25. Thien SJ, Graveel J (2002) Laboratory manual for soil science: agricultural & environmental principles. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  26. Masuda H, Higashitani K, Yoshida H (2006) Powder technology handbook. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Book  Google Scholar 

  27. Stylianou M, Lee JH, Kostarelos K, Voskaridou T (2018) Laboratory testing in support of surfactant-alternating-gas foam flood for napl recovery from shallow subsurface. B Environ Contam Tox 101:744–750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-018-2453-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Van Genuchten MT (1980) A closed-form equation for predicting the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils. Soil Sci 44:892–898. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400050002x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Mualem YA (1976) A new model for predicting the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated porous media. Water Resour Res 12:513–521. https://doi.org/10.1029/WR012i003p00513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Database of fully developed channel flow. Internal report, AURA station, Environ mental Fluid Mechanics lab (EFM Lab), CEE, UCY, 2019

  31. Gamie R, Smedt F (2017) Experimental and statistical study of saturated hydraulic conductivity and relations with other soil properties of a desert soil. Eur J Soil Sci 69(2):256–264. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12519

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Support from the Republic of Cyprus through the Research Promotion Foundation Project P2P/WATER/1017/0007, and from the internal research programs of the University of Cyprus.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus

    M. Stylianou, E. Andreou, F. Frixou & P. Papanastasiou

  2. NIREAS-International Water Research Center, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus

    M. Stylianou, C. F. Panagiotou & P. Papanastasiou

  3. Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 22016, 1516, Nicosia, Cyprus

    A. Christou

  4. Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence, Limassol, Cyprus, Cyprus University of Technology, P.O. Box 22016, 1516, Nicosia, Cyprus

    C. F. Panagiotou

Authors
  1. M. Stylianou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. F. Panagiotou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. E. Andreou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Frixou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Christou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. P. Papanastasiou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. F. Panagiotou.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Stylianou, M., Panagiotou, C.F., Andreou, E. et al. Assessing the influence of biochars on the hydraulic properties of a loamy sand soil. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 11, 315–323 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-01114-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-01114-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation