Biochar improves heavy metal passivation during wet anaerobic digestion of pig manure

Wang, Jun; Hao, Xiaoxia; Liu, Zile; Guo, Zili; Zhu, Li; Xiong, Bangjie; Jiang, Dongmei; Shen, Linyuan; Li, Mingzhou; Kang, Bo; Tang, Guoqing; Bai, Lin

doi:10.1007/s11356-020-10474-z

Research Article
Published: 20 August 2020

Biochar improves heavy metal passivation during wet anaerobic digestion of pig manure

Jun Wang^1,2,
Xiaoxia Hao^1,2,
Zile Liu^1,2,
Zili Guo^1,2,
Li Zhu¹,
Bangjie Xiong^1,2,
Dongmei Jiang^1,2,
Linyuan Shen¹,
Mingzhou Li¹,
Bo Kang¹,
Guoqing Tang¹ &
Lin Bai^1,2

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 28, pages 635–644 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is regarded as an effective treatment to stabilize organic materials and recycle the energy in pig manure. In this study, 0%, 3%, 5%, and 7% biochar (based on dry weight) were added to pig manure to investigate its influence on improving biogas production and reducing heavy metal bioavailability. The potential ecological risk of heavy metals (namely Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, As, Cd, Pb, and Cr) in digestates was also assessed. Results show that the methane yield was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by 26.7%, 23.0%, and 26.4% following addition of 3%, 5%, and 7% biochar, respectively. Moreover, there was a significant change in the heavy metal speciation in amendment each group. The 5% biochar group showed the highest passivation rate of Ni, As, and Pb, while the highest passivation rate of Cd, Cr, Mn, and Zn was observed with 7% biochar. Although the anaerobic digestion process slightly increased the ecological risk of heavy metals, all tested digestates were still classified as a moderate risk. Results of this study can provide a reference for the treatment of heavy metal pollution in large- and medium-sized anaerobic digesters treating pig manure.

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Funding

This work was financially supported by the Sichuan Swine Innovation Team Construction Project of National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System of China (SCSZTD-3-006) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31702156).

Author information

Jun Wang, Xiaoxia Hao, and Zile Liu are co-first author. They contributed equally to this work.

Affiliations

Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
Jun Wang, Xiaoxia Hao, Zile Liu, Zili Guo, Li Zhu, Bangjie Xiong, Dongmei Jiang, Linyuan Shen, Mingzhou Li, Bo Kang, Guoqing Tang & Lin Bai
Animal Environment Hygiene Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
Jun Wang, Xiaoxia Hao, Zile Liu, Zili Guo, Bangjie Xiong, Dongmei Jiang & Lin Bai

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Jun Wang
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Xiaoxia Hao
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Zile Liu
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Zili Guo
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Li Zhu
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Bangjie Xiong
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Dongmei Jiang
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Linyuan Shen
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Mingzhou Li
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Bo Kang
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Guoqing Tang
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Lin Bai
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Correspondence to Lin Bai.

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Wang, J., Hao, X., Liu, Z. et al. Biochar improves heavy metal passivation during wet anaerobic digestion of pig manure. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 635–644 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10474-z

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Received: 09 May 2020
Accepted: 10 August 2020
Published: 20 August 2020
Issue Date: January 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10474-z

Keywords

Anaerobic digestion
Biochar
Pig manure
Heavy metal speciation
Ecological risk