Effects of Biochar Addition on Soil Nitrogen Mineralization and Leaching Characteristics in Riparian Zone of Taihu Lake

Abstract

Nitrogen mineralization in riparian soil changes the migration and utilization efficiency of nitrogen, which is closely related to the control of water eutrophication. The differences in soil properties caused by land use alter nitrogen retention and transport capacity. Therefore, the soil of three land use types (woodland, grassland, and cultivated land) in the western riparian zone of Taihu Lake were selected for research on the dynamic changes in nitrogen mineralization amount using an incubation experiment and a leaching characteristics by soil column leaching experiment, and their environmental effects were also studied under different biochar addition conditions (0%, 1%, and 5%). The results showed that, in general, the addition of biochar inhibited nitrogen mineralization in forest land and grassland soil, whereas the effect of biochar on nitrogen mineralization in cultivated land was promoted in low concentrations but inhibited in high concentrations. Leaching experiments showed that the biochar addition reduced the loss of soil mineral nitrogen, and the reduction rate in ammonia nitrogen was 23.28%-39.79%, whereas there was little difference between the three land use types. The nitrate decreased by 17.20%-44.49%, and the reduction rate of cultivated land was smaller than that of forest land and grassland. In conclusion, the input of biochar into grassland and cultivated land can better maintain soil fertility and reduce soil nitrogen loss in riparian soil.