Differentiated strategies of animal-derived and plant-derived biochar to reduce nitrogen loss during paper mill sludge composting. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Xiaoming; Wang, Yueqiang; Zhou, Shaoqi; Cui, Peng; Wang, Weiwu; Huang, Wenfeng; Yu, Zhen; Zhou, Shungui
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 360(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Acid-insoluble nitrogen -- Bioavailable organic nitrogen -- Composting -- Biochar -- Bacterial community -- Nitrogen transformation; 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.2022.127583
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Animal-derived biochar enhanced the synthesis of acid-insoluble nitrogen (AIN). Plant-derived biochar promoted the accumulation of bioavailable organic N (BON). Animal-derived and plant-derived biochar reduced N loss by 24.40% and 35.50%. Two biochars have different effects on bacterial community and metabolism. Both AIN formation and BON retention were effective strategies for reducing N loss. Abstract: This work aimed to reveal the differences of nitrogen (N) transformation between animal-derived and plant-derived biochar during paper mill sludge composting. Three treatments were established, including CK (no biochar), ABC (animal-derived biochar), and PBC (plant-derived biochar). Results showed that N loss was reduced by 24.43% and 35.50% in ABC and PBC, respectively, compared with CK. Moreover, the contents of acid-insoluble N (AIN) in ABC and bioavailable organic N (BON) in PBC were 6.180 g/kg and 9.269 g/kg higher than in CK (2.602 g/kg and 8.988 g/kg). The protease activity and bacterial abundance associated with the generation of humic N-containing precursors increased in ABC. Low urease activity and a more complex bacterial N-cycling network were found in PBC. Structural equation model confirmed that AIN formation and BON retention were the dominant strategies for animal-derived and plant-derived biochar, respectively. The findings provided multiple pathways to produce N-enriched compost products.