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Phytotoxicity and nutrition behavior of process water obtained from the hydrothermal carbonization of poultry litter and its effect on lettuce germination and growth

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Abstract

Nine hydrothermal carbonization process waters (PWs) of poultry litter were prepared at 180, 220, and 260 °C for 1, 4, and 8 h, respectively. They were characterized with pH, EC (electric conductivity), DOC (dissolved organic carbon), TN (total nitrogen), NH4+-N, NO3−-N, etc. After diluted according to TN, the PWs were supplied as liquid nitrogen fertilizers and their phytotoxic and nutrition effects on lettuce germination and growth were studied. The results showed that the PWs from short time (1 h) were with low DOC/TN and DOC/NH4+-N and high NH4+-N/TN. Compared with the PWs from long time 4 and 8 h, they provided more NH4+-N and less DOC and resulted in lettuce with relatively high germination index (GI), dry biomass, and low antioxidant enzyme activities. Especially, the PW from 220 °C and 1 h significantly enhanced the dry weight by 196.3% relative to negative control of nitrogen deficiency. However, all the PWs led lettuce to an unhealthy condition, which decreased GI and the chlorophyll content and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, it was confirmed by linear regression that the ratios of DOC/TN, NH4+-N/TN, and DOC/NH4+-N were the determining indexes for evaluating the phytotoxicity and nutrition behavior of the PWs as liquid nitrogen fertilizers.

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Funding

The research was supported by (1) the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21866031); (2) Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China (No. 2021JQ-618); (3) Special Scientific Research Project of Education Department of Shaanxi Province (No. 19JK0967); (4) Yan’an University Doctor Scientific Research Start Fund Project (No. YDBK2018-24); (5) Natural Science Fund Project of Yan’an University (No. YDQ2018-24); and (6) National College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program (No. D2019128).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Petroleum Engineering and Environmental Engineering, Yan’an University, Yan’an City, 716000, Shaanxi, China

    Zhirui Niu, Zhuo Wang, Jian Wang, Hua Huang, Wenxin Liu, Hongying Zhu, Yifei Wen & Ximeng Liu

  2. Yan’an Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Remediation, Yan’an City, 716000, Shaanxi, China

    Jian Wang & Hua Huang

Authors
  1. Zhirui Niu
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  2. Zhuo Wang
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  3. Jian Wang
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  4. Hua Huang
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  5. Wenxin Liu
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  6. Hongying Zhu
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  7. Yifei Wen
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  8. Ximeng Liu
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Contributions

Dr. Hua Huang and Professor Zhirui Niu had the idea for this article. The literature search was conducted by Dr. Hua Huang, Ms. Zhuo Wang, Ms. Wenxin Liu, Ms. Hongying, Zhu, Ms. Yifei Wen, and Ms. Ximeng Liu. The first draft of the manuscript has been made by Professor Zhirui Niu and Dr. Hua Huang, and it was critically reviewed and revised by Professor Jian Wang. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Hua Huang.

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Niu, Z., Wang, Z., Wang, J. et al. Phytotoxicity and nutrition behavior of process water obtained from the hydrothermal carbonization of poultry litter and its effect on lettuce germination and growth. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 58123–58134 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14697-6

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