Abstract
Glycophyte biomass-derived biochars are currently concerned in most studies. However, little attention is given to the characteristics of halophyte-derived biochars. In this study, five typical halophytes of euhalophytes (Suaeda altissima, Suaeda salsa, and Kalidium foliatum), recretohalophytes (Phragmites australis), and pseudohalophytes (Tamarix chinensis) which are widely distributed in the arid and semiarid regions of northwestern China were selected for producing biochars with a slow pyrolysis process at 500 °C for 1 h. The harvested biochars were characterized in elemental content, pores, surface area, and surface charges, and then their potential value as a soil conditioner was evaluated. The results showed that the halophyte-derived biochars had variable ash and Na+ contents, ranging from 7.26 to 23.64% and 1.06 to 33.93 g kg−1 respectively. The EC value of the biochars ranged from 1.76 to 23.45 mS cm−1. The biochar derived from Suaeda altissima had a very low specific surface area (SSA), 3.50 m2 g−1, while that derived from Phragmites australis (BPA) had a very high SSA, 344.02 m2 g−1. All the biochars carried both positive and negative charges. Kalidium foliatum biochar (BKF) possessed more negative charges, while Suaeda altissima biochar (BSA) contained more positive charges. In general, the halophyte biochars had a higher ash content and lower point of zero net charge (PZNC) value, compared with the biochars derived from glycophytes, which would imply their higher potential value as an acidic soil conditioner.
Highlights
Halophytes including three categories of euhalophytes, recretohalophytes, and pseudohalophytes are a group of plants that can complete their life cycle under highly saline conditions such as salt-affected soils
The yield of biochar is dependent on the characteristics of the feedstock and the pyrolysis process
In a specific pyrolysis process, especially at a certain pyrolysis temperature, the yield of biochar is mainly decided by the characteristics of the feedstock
Summary
Halophytes including three categories of euhalophytes, recretohalophytes, and pseudohalophytes are a group of plants that can complete their life cycle under highly saline conditions such as salt-affected soils. Among the ways to use halophyte biomass, has received much attention in recent years The products of both bio-oil and biogas can be directly used as fuel and industrial starting materials as well (Yue et al 2016). Wood-based biochar is suitable to be considered as a solid fuel and adsorbent (Zhang et al 2017), while both fibrous and manure biochars may engender high impacts on soil quality (Shi et al 2019; Han et al 2017). It is, necessary to analyze and evaluate the properties of biochar before amending into soil
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
