How does biochar aging affect NH3 volatilization and GHGs emissions from agricultural soils?. (1st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feng, Yuanyuan; Feng, Yanfang; Liu, Qi; Chen, Sen; Hou, Pengfu; Poinern, Gerrard; Jiang, Zhongtao; Fawcett, Derek; Xue, Lihong; Lam, Su Shiung; Xia, Changlei
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 294(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01
• Subjects: Biochar aging -- Pyrochar and hydrochar -- Agricultural soil -- Gas emissions -- Meta-analysis; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118598
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Biochar has been considered as a potential tool to mitigate soil ammonia (NH3 ) volatilization and greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions in recent years. However, the aging effect of biochar on soils remains elusive, which introduces uncertainty on the effectiveness of biochar to mitigate global warming in a long term. Here, a meta-analysis of 22 published works of literature with 217 observations was conducted to systematically explore the aging effect of biochar on soil NH3 and GHGs emissions. The results show that, in comparison with the fresh biochar, the aging makes biochar more effective to decrease soil NH3 volatilization by 7% and less risk to contribute CH4 emissions by 11%. However, the mitigation effect of biochar on soil N2 O emissions is decreased by 15% due to aging. Additionally, aging leads to a promotion effect on soil CO2 emissions by 25% than fresh biochar. Our findings suggest that along with aging, particularly the effect of artificial aging, biochar could further benefit the alleviation of soil NH3 volatilization, whereas its potential role to mitigate global warming may decrease. This study provides a systematic assessment of the aging effect of biochar to mitigate soil NH3 and GHGs, which can provide a scientific basis for the sustainable green development of biochar application. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The aging effect of biochar promotes the reduction of NH3 volatilization. Aging diminishes the effect of biochar on N2 O emissions from soil. The aging effect of biochar is beneficial to reduce CH4 emissions from soil. Aging promotes CO2 emissions and has the potential to accelerate soil C turnover.