Biochar: Is it a Promising Technology for Bangladesh?Bangladesh?

Shamim Mia, Tjisse Hiemstra

Presentation Overview 1

Introduction

Uniqueness of biochar

Biochar and plant

Mechanism of cation retention

Mechanism of P bioavailability

Relevance to Bangladesh

What is Biochar? 2

Biochar is pyrolysed feedstock under limited or no supply of O2

Waste management• Use of waste for biochar production (Lehmann 2007)

PyrolysisPyrolysisBioenergy

Bi ti f bi l i

• Use of waste for biochar production (Lehmann 2007)

Soil amendment and C-sequestration

• Bioenergy generation from biomass pyrolysis (Lehmann,2007, Laird,2008)

Soil amendment and C sequestration• Increased fertility (Glaser 2007; Sombroek et al. 2002)• C- sequestration for >100yrs (Downie et al. 2012;Lehmann 2007)• 12% GHS reduction per year (Woolf, et al., 2010)

Picture source: http://www.environmenttimes.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?news_id=1003http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/bangladesh-set-to-receive-carbon-credits-for-composting/

Why is biochar unique? 3

Porous -high surface area (Inyang et al ,2012)

H d h bi t i lHydrophobic material (Qiu et al., 2009)

Aromatic structure- recalcitrant (Downie et al. 2012; Lehmann 2007;Esben et al., 2012; Swift 2001

Small molecule with few fused aromatic rings (6-7) (Mao et al., 2012; Hiemstra, 2012)

High charge density high CEC (Hiemstra 2012; Méndez et al 2012; Hossain et al 2010)High charge density -high CEC (Hiemstra,2012; Méndez et al., 2012; Hossain et al., 2010)

Pictures: Graber et al 2010; Lehmann and Joseph 2009;Mao et al., 2012

How does it affect plants? 4

Reduce C-mineralization- recalcitrant organic matter (Biqing Liang et al., 2010;Cross & Sohi, 2011)

Improve physical properties of soil (Busscher et al., 2010; Ayodele et al. 2009; Winsley,Improve physical properties of soil (Busscher et al., 2010; Ayodele et al. 2009; Winsley, 2007)

Increase nutrient availability and retention (Laird, 2008; Blackwell et al., 2010, Laird et al., 2010), )

Increase microbial activity (Lehmann et al. 2011; Blackwell et al. 2010)

Increase CEC (Glaser et al 2002;Singh et al 2010)Increase CEC (Glaser, et al. 2002;Singh, et al. 2010)

Adsorption of pollutants(Zhuet al. 2005; Qiu et al., 2009; Beesley, et al. 2010)

K+ NH4+

Increase water holding capacity(Brewer et al., 2012;Major et.al, 2011)

Increase pH (Glaser et al 2002; Méndez 2012)

Graber et al 2010; Mao et al,2012http://mycorrhizas.info/root.html

Increase pH (Glaser, et al. 2002; Méndez, 2012)

Mechanism of cation retention 5

Name of humicacid

Charge at pH 7

(mol

Size of molecule

5

-4

-3

/ kgC

)

Acid Base Titration in 0.1M NaNO3of B4

1 base addition

1 acid addition

+/kg C)Young forest soil 4.0 Big

Old Podzol soil 6 5 Small 9

-8

-7

-6

-5

Cha

rge

(mol

+ / 1 acid addition

2 base addition

2 acid addition

3 base titration

acid addition 3

Old Podzol soil 6.5 Small

Beech wood humic acid

9.0 -11

-10

-9

3 5 7 9 11pH

K+ NH4+

High CEC is responsible for nutrient retention!

K+ 4

Graber et al 2010; Mao et al,2012http://mycorrhizas.info/root.html

Mechanism of P bioavailability 6

H+

nerg

y

POPCBA is responsible for

r)ox

ide

trost

atic

en

FA

PO4PCBA is responsible for higher P bioavailability!

z

Met

al (h

ydr

Ele

ct0

FA

HAM0 HA

Stern layer

Free solution

Diffuse Double Layer

Surface

Relevance to Bangladesh 7

Organic matter status can be increased gSoil OM status:

most soil<1.5%, and some soils <1% (Fertilizer recommendation guide, 2005. p48)

Nutrient retention can be improved (Laird et al., 2010)

Bi il bili f P b i d iBio-availability of P can be increased in acid soil (Madhupur tract)

Relevance to Bangladesh 8

Use of municipal waste (Dhaka city : > 3000 tons per day)

Cooking with biochar stoveCooking with biochar stove

Use of poultry litterCan we explore its’ potentials?

Reclamation of polluted soil

Picture:chttp://www.biochar-international.org/

Thank you for your attention!

© Wageningen UR