Abstract
Biochar is being considered a climate change mitigation tool by increasing soil organic carbon contents (SOC), however, questions remain concerning its longevity in soil. We applied 30,000 kg ha−1 of biochars to plots containing a Goldsboro sandy loam (Fine-loamy, siliceous, sub-active, thermic Aquic Paleudults) and then physically disked all plots. Thereafter, the plots were agronomically managed under 4 years (Y) of continuous corn (Zea Mays, L.) planting. Annually, incremental soil along with corresponding bulk density samples were collected and SOC concentrations were measured in topsoil (down to 23-cm). The biochars were produced from Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) chip (PC) and Poultry litter (PL) feedstocks. An untreated Goldsboro soil (0 biochar) served as a control. After four years, SOC contents in the biochar treated plots were highest in the top 0–5 and 5–10 cm depth suggesting minimal deeper movement. Declines in SOC contents varied with depth and biochar type. After correction for SOC declines in controls, PL biochar treated soil had a similar decline in SOC (7.9 to 10.3%) contents. In contrast, the largest % SOC content decline (20.2%) occurred in 0–5 cm deep topsoil treated with PC biochar. Our results suggest that PC biochar had less stability in the Goldsboro soil than PL biochar after 4 years of corn grain production.
Highlights
Scientists, policy makers, sustainability advocates and industry personal concerned with determining suitable methods for atmospheric CO2 concentrations reductions are examining soil-based management practices that are linked to gains in organic carbon (OC) sequestration [1,2]
For biochars to succeed as a tool for atmospheric CO2 mitigation, the material must deliver substantial quantities of OC to soil that correspondingly increases it’s soil organic carbon contents (SOC) contents, the added biochar should not negatively impact mineralization dynamics of indigenous SOC contents, and has chemical, physical or morphological characteristics that imparts resistance to chemical weathering or to oxidation by microbial communities
This study used the annual SOC contents measured in incrementally collected soil samples as a proxy for estimating PC and Poultry litter (PL) biochars stability and potential downward movement after weathering under a 4-year continuous corn crop
Summary
Scientists, policy makers, sustainability advocates and industry personal concerned with determining suitable methods for atmospheric CO2 concentrations reductions are examining soil-based management practices that are linked to gains in organic carbon (OC) sequestration [1,2]. In addition to pyrolysis temperature as a determinant, biochar particle size will influence its mineralization dynamics in soils. Shifts in soil chemistry and microbial dynamics from biochar addition can assert a negative, positive, or neutral priming impact on the indigenous SOC pool [33]. The impact of biochar on SOC decomposition dynamics is usually determined through short term (
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