Effect of different particle-size biochar on methane emissions during pig manure/wheat straw aerobic composting: Insights into pore characterization and microbial mechanisms. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Xueqin; Yin, Hongjie; Sun, Xiaoxi; Han, Lujia; Huang, Guangqun
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 268(2018)
• Page Start: 633
• Page End: 637
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Particle size -- Rice straw biochar -- Methane -- Pore -- X-ray micro-CT; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.08.047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Effects of rice straw biochar (RSB) on manure composting were investigated. Addition of powdered RSB caused methane emissions to increase by 56.84%. Addition of granular RSB caused methane emissions to decrease by 22.15%. Granular RSB increased both the pore volume and connectivity of initial samples. RSB reduced the methanogen to methanotroph ratio in initial samples. Abstract: This study explored the effects of different particle sizes of rice straw biochar (RSB) on the methane emissions of pig manure/wheat straw aerobic composting experiments to provide a theoretical suggestion for biochar application. The experiments were conducted with a control group, powder (<1 mm) group, and granular (4 mm–1 cm) group. Methane emissions increased by 56.84% in the powder group but decreased by 22.15% in the granular group during the aerobic composting. Methane was generated by methanogens and methanotrophs in the specific anaerobic micro-environment characterized by X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The porosity of initial composting samples increased by 4.02% in the granular group but decreased by 3.88% in the powder group. RSB additives typically reduced the mcrA/pmoA ratio and increased the diversity of Bacteria and Archaea. Conclusively, granular biochar benefits to aerobic composting to alleviate the CH4 emissions.