Home
Resources
Publications
Properties of Biochars From Conventional and Alternative Feedstocks and Their Suitability for Metal Immobilization in Industrial Soil

Properties of Biochars From Conventional and Alternative Feedstocks and Their Suitability for Metal Immobilization in Industrial Soil

Zygmunt Mariusz Gusiatin, Radosław Kurkowski, Szczepan Brym, Dariusz Wiśniewski

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016 Nov;23(21):21249-21261.

PMID: 27495921

Abstract:

In contaminated soils, excessive concentrations of metals and their high mobility pose a serious environmental risk. A suitable soil amendment can minimize the negative effect of metals in soil. This study investigated the effect of different biochars on metal (Cu, Pb, Zn) immobilization in industrial soil. Biochars produced at 300 and 600 °C from conventional (MS, maize silage; WP, wooden pellets) and alternative (SC, sewage sludge compost; DR, digestate residue) feedstocks were used as soil amendments at a dosage of 10 % (w/w). The type of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature affected the properties of the biochars and their ability to immobilize metal in soil. Compared to production at 300 °C, all biochars produced at 600 °C had higher pH (6.2-10.7), content of ash (7.2-69.0 %) and fixed carbon (21.1-56.7 %), but lower content of volatile matter (9.7-37.2 %). All biochars except DR biochar had lower dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content (1.4-2.3 g C/L) when made at 600 °C. Only MS and SC biochars had higher cation exchange capacity (25.2 and 44.7 cmol/kg, respectively) after charring at 600 °C. All biochars contained low concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn; Cd was volatilized to the greatest extent during pyrolysis. Based on FTIR analysis and molar ratios of H/C and O/C, biochars had a greater degree of carbonization and aromaticity after charring at 600 °C. The efficiency of the biochars in metal immobilization depended mainly on their pH, ash content, and concentration of DOC. SC and DR biochars were more effective for Cu and Zn immobilization than MS and WP biochars, which makes them attractive options for large-scale soil amendment.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
CS35518	Volatile Residue - WP			Price

As a specialist in analytical chemical Products, Alfa Chemistry offers consumers a wealth of raw materials and a full range of technologies and services.

QUICK LINKS

HEADQUARTERS

Tel:

Fax:

Email: