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Nanoscale organo-mineral reactions of biochars in ferrosol: an investigation using microscopy

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Abstract

Aims

In this study, a chicken manure biochar (CM biochar) and a paper sludge biochar (PS biochar), prepared under similar treatment conditions, were amended into ferrosol as part of an agronomic field trial. The aim of this study is to investigate interactions between these biochars and the soil after a 3 month trial.

Methods

Soil samples following field trials were taken and biochar was separated from the soil, and studied for both surface oxidation and the degree of interaction with surrounding soil by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), SEM and TEM equipped with EDS for elemental analysis.

Results

Following incubation in field soil, both biochars showed that soil mineral incorporation on to their surfaces occurred within the first year, although the attachment was localized at specific sites on the surface. A relatively high concentration of Al was found at the interface between the biochar and mineral phases in both aged biochars, indicating a binding role of Al. For the CM biochar, a soil-iron redox reaction may be associated with the formation of biochar-mineral complexes due to the relatively higher labile carbon content and higher pH value of this biochar.

Conclusions

Soil mineral attachment may occur directly on to the biochar surface because of the formation of carboxylic and phenolic functional groups on the aged CM biochar surface by an oxidation reaction. For the PS biochar, adsorption of organic matter from the soil facilitated interactions between the biochar and mineral phases in the soil. Calcium is believed to be important in this process.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Associate Professor Marta Camps Arbestain for reviewing the manuscript and Dr Bill Gong for assistance with the XPS analysis. The authors would like to acknowledge Tony Walker from Richmond Landcare Inc and Caring for our Country, who funded the establishment of the long-term field site. Josh Rust and Scott Pety from NSW Department of Primary Industries are acknowledged for their assistance in field maintenance and analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Material Science and Engineering, The University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia

    Yun Lin, Paul Munroe & Stephen Joseph

  2. NSW Department of Primary Industries, 1243 Bruxner Highway, Wollongbar, NSW, 2477, Australia

    Stephen Kimber & Lukas Van Zwieten

Authors
  1. Yun Lin
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  2. Paul Munroe
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  3. Stephen Joseph
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  4. Stephen Kimber
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  5. Lukas Van Zwieten
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul Munroe.

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Responsible Editor: Johannes Lehmann.

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Lin, Y., Munroe, P., Joseph, S. et al. Nanoscale organo-mineral reactions of biochars in ferrosol: an investigation using microscopy. Plant Soil 357, 369–380 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1169-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1169-8

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