Inclusion Of Biochar Research Articles

Investigating the impact of biochar on methane gas emissions and its effect on enteric fermentation

This study aims to evaluate the impact of biochar on methane gas emissions and to investigate its effect on enteric fermentation. Methane gas emissions from Naeemi ewes' ruminants were measured, with animals divided into two groups, each containing 14 ewes. The treatment group was fed a combination of biochar and a basal ration, while the control group received the basal ration alone. The results demonstrate that the initial gas emission for both animal groups at day 0 was 1082 ppm, and the inclusion of biochar in the diet significantly (P < 0.05) reduced CH4 gas emissions by 65.58 %–78.39%. Furthermore, feeding Naeemi sheep with biochar and the basal ration led to a significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight (63.66 kg) and growth rate (length: 79.3 cm, waist: 81.75 cm, and height: 99.76 cm) compared to the control group. Additionally, it raised the average body condition score (BCS) to 3.56, in contrast to the control group's score of 2.83, primarily due to the positive impact of biochar on fat gain. The study revealed that biochar enhances nutrient utilization, improves feed efficiency, and significantly reduces methane gas emissions in livestock. When incorporated into the sheep's diet, biochar can modify digestive processes and promote better nutrient absorption.

Exploring synergistic solid lubrication for enhanced tribological performance in biochar-reinforced aluminum matrix composites fabricated by induction sintering

This study presents a pioneering methodology for the synthesis of aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) fortified with biochar, sourced from renewable biomass feedstocks. Employing a systematic approach, various biochar weight percentages were meticulously investigated to discern their impact on the mechanical and tribological properties of the resulting composites. Through a comprehensive battery of tests, encompassing evaluations of compressive strength and hardness, the study elucidated significant enhancements in mechanical robustness consequent to biochar integration. Notably, the mixture formulation with 7.5 wt. % biochar emerged as the optimal configuration, showcasing an impressive 8.83% augmentation in compressive strength and a notable 15% elevation in the hardness relative to the pristine aluminum pure matrix. The research extends beyond traditional analyses, introducing an exploration of tribological performance. The incorporation of biochar is anticipated to impart solid lubricating properties, influencing wear and friction characteristics. Future research directions may delve into the nuanced interplay between biochar content and tribological enhancements, offering insights into the tailored manipulation of mechanical and tribological properties in AMC through biochar reinforcement. The examination of wear and friction exhibited that the friction coefficient decreased by 6.4% when 10 wt. % of biochar was added. Furthermore, the wear resistance improved proportionally with the biochar weight percentage, regardless of the normal loads applied. The finite element model further demonstrated an enhancement in load-carrying capacity due to biochar incorporation. Finally, analysis of the texture of the rubbed surface presented that the inclusion of biochar in an AL matrix changed the way wear occurs and decreased the amount of weight lost during friction. The resulting materials not only exhibit improved mechanical strength but also hold promise for applications in industries that demand robust, environmentally conscious solutions with enhanced tribological performance.

Biochar promotes compost humification by regulating bacterial and fungal communities.

Humus can be formed during composting through biological pathways, nonetheless, the mechanisms through which bacterial and fungal communities govern the development of humus in compost with the addition of biochar remain uncertain. In this study, compost with cow dung and maize stover as feedstock was employed as a control group, and compost with 10% biochar added on top of the feedstock was adopted as a treatment group to investigate the effect of bacterial and fungal communities on humus formation during biochar composting. The results demonstrated that the humic acid content increased by 24.82 and 25.10% at the cooling and maturation stages, respectively, after adding biochar. Besides, the degree of polymerization content in the maturation stage was elevated by 90.98%, which accelerated the humification process of the compost. During the thermophilic and maturity stages, there was a respective increase of 51.34 and 31.40% in reducing sugar content, suggesting that the inclusion of biochar could furnish ample reducing sugar substrate for the Maillard reaction. The addition of biochar reduced the number of humus precursor-associated genera by 35, increased the number of genera involved in humus synthesis by two, and enhanced the stability of the cross-domain network between bacteria and fungi, which confirms that microorganisms contribute to the humification process by decreasing humus precursor consumption as well as increasing humus synthesis with the addition of biochar. Additionally, adding biochar could enhance the humification capacity of the compost pile by dominating the Maillard reaction with reducing sugars as the substrate and strengthening the function of humus synthesis-associated genera. This study enhances our comprehension of the regulatory pathways of biochar in the humification process during composting.

Influence of biochar in the calcite precipitation of sandy soil using sporosarcina ureae

The microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology is an emerging novel and sustainable technique for soil stabilization and remediation. MICP, a microorganism-mediated biomineralization process, has attracted interest for its potential to enhance soil characteristics. The inclusion of biochar, a carbon-rich substance formed by biomass pyrolysis, adds another degree of intricacy to this process. The study highlights the impact of the combination of biochar and MICP together, using a bacterium, Sporosarcina ureae, on soil improvement. This blend of MICP and biochar improved the soil in terms of its geotechnical properties and also enabled the sequestering of carbon safely. It was observed that addition of 4% biochar significantly increased the soil's shear strength parameters (c and φ) as well as its stiffness after 21 treatment cycles. This improvement was because the calcium carbonate precipitate, which acts as a crucial binding agent, increased significantly due to microbial action in the soil-biochar mixture compared to the pure soil sample. The excess carbonate precipitation on account of biochar addition was verified through SEM-EDAX analysis where the images showed noteworthy carbonate precipitation on the surface of particles and increment in the calcium mass at the same treatment cycles when compared with untreated sand. The collaboration between MICP and biochar effectively increased the carbon sequestration within the sand sample. It was observed that at 21 cycles of treatment, the carbon storage within the sand sample increased by almost 3 times at 4% biochar compared to sand without any biochar. The statistical analysis further affirmed that strength depends on both biochar and the number of treatment cycles, whereas carbon sequestration potential is primarily influenced by the biochar content alone. This strategy, as a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, has the potential to reform soil improvement practices and contribute to both soil strength enhancement and climate change mitigation, supporting the maintenance of ecological balance.

Valorization of engineered biochar to develop ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete with low carbon emission

This research introduces an innovative approach to developing carbon-negative Ultra-High-Performance fiber-reinforced Concrete (UHPC) by incorporating substantial quantities of biochar, both as a binder and as an aggregate, replacing up to 25% by weight of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and quartz sand (QS). The study examines the impact of biochar on cement hydration processes, microstructure evolution, and various other performance metrics in the modified UHPC. Samples were formulated with 3% double-hooked steel fibers and biochar quantities ranging from 5 to 25% by weight as substitutes for OPC and QS. The investigation included assessments of changes in rheological properties, strength metrics, long-term shrinkage, resistance to sulfate attacks, freeze-thaw durability, microstructure analysis, and a cost-benefit evaluation. Test results indicated that biochar-incorporated samples exhibited up to a 20% increase in heat evolution by the end of the seventh day and plastic energy at 28 days that rose to 32.14% as compared to control samples in 20% biochar-augmented versions. Shrinkage reduction varied between 58 and 69% at 210 days for samples with 20% biochar. Specifically, the mix containing 20% biochar (G2-M5-BC-20) significantly improved the 90-day compressive and flexural strength by 8.9 and 9.3%, and 30.6 and 36.8%, respectively, while further inclusion of biochar showed no marked enhancement in performance metrics. The G2-M5-BC-20 mix also demonstrated excellent resistance to sulfate attacks and freeze-thaw cycles, exhibiting the least mass loss and highest residual compressive strength. An initial cost-benefit revealed that biochar-enhanced UHPC could offer compelling financial benefits. Given its mechanical behavior, potential for harmful CO2 emissions, and economic viability, the G2-M5-BC-20 mix emerged as the most promising formulation, potentially generating an overall profit of $36 per cubic meter.

The spatiotemporal heterogeneity of fertosphere hotspots impacted by biochar addition and the implications for NH3 and N2O emissions

The fertosphere, as the interfaces between fertilizer granular and soil particles, represents a key hotspot for nitrogen transformation processes, particularly for ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Understanding the heterogeneity of the fertosphere, especially when incorporating organic amendments like biochars, is crucial for predicting NH3 and N2O emissions after soil fertilization. In this study, we investigated the effects of three types of biochar (pristine, aged, and acid-washed biochar) on heterogeneity of fertosphere induced by localized urea application. pH-specific planar optodes were employed to visualize pH gradients in fertosphere hotspots with high spatial and temporal resolution. In addition, we conducted thorough measurements of the gradient distribution of electric conductivity (EC), mineral N, aqueous NH3 in soil and enzyme activities relevant to nitrification. Concurrently, NH3 and N2O emissions from the soil were continuously monitored at a high temporal resolution. Initially, urea-induced fertosphere exhibited significant NH3 emissions, primarily attributed to the pH elevation resulting from urea hydrolysis. However, after 6 days, NH3 emissions subsided, and there was a notable sharp increase in N2O emissions. Importantly, compared to urea application alone, the inclusion of pristine biochar led to a delay in soil pH decline with a 19% rise in NH3 emission. Aged biochar, characterized by a higher content of oxygen functional groups, demonstrated increased NH4+/NH3 adsorption capacity and enhanced ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) activity in soil, resulting in an 18% reduction in NH3 emission. While a slight decrease of 5% in NH3 cumulative emission was observed in the acid-washed biochar treatment. Notably, biochar could potentially promote nitrification-derived N2O emissions due to the accumulation of NH3 oxidation products (NH2OH). These findings could contribute to refining N transformation models for fertilized soils, and optimizing N fertilizer application strategies.

Enhancing Sustainable Waste Management Using Biochar: Mitigating the Inhibitory of Food Waste Compost from Methane Fermentation Residue on Komatsuna (Brassica rapa) Yield

Methane fermentation, utilizing food waste (FW), is viewed as a sustainable strategy that leverages garbage and agricultural waste to conserve the environment. However, FW compost encounters growth inhibition issues, which we examine in this study. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of various compost mixtures on seed germination growth and the yield of Komatsuna (Brassica rapa). The experiment employed FW compost mixtures with biochar (BC), clay (CL), weeds (WD), and a control group in a completely randomized design with three replications to monitor germination. The experimental pots, arranged in a complete factorial design, involved three treatment factors: compost type (FW or HM), biochar presence or absence (WB or NB), and three input rates (25 g pot−1, 50 g pot−1, and 100 g pot−1), each in triplicate. The combination of FW and BC exhibited an enhanced germination rate compared to FW alone. Moreover, the inclusion of biochar significantly amplified this effect, particularly at the input rate of 50 g pot−1 and had a substantial impact on the interaction between input rate, compost type, and biochar on variables such as nitrogen (N) uptake, % N, soil carbon, and yield. Homemade BC demonstrates an increasing fertilizer cost performance (FCP) as the input rate rises across all fertilizer combinations, while commercially priced BC exhibits a reverse relationship with FCP. These findings suggest that the addition of biochar enhances the performance of methane fermentation residue compost, thereby promoting plant growth through the processing of environmentally sustainable waste.

A robust bio-source mediated CeO2 – SnS2 quantum dots @Oryza sativa var. biochar, photo-adsorbent for removal of Baszol Violet 57L dye from aqueous discharge: Development, materialistic analyses, and its application

This research aims to develop an entirely novel kind of photocatalytic adsorbent, known as integrated photocatalytic adsorbent, using a hydrothermal process that is environmentally friendly. This method utilizes an extract derived from Tulsi (Osmium Tenuiflorum) leaves as a stabilizing and capping agent. The purpose of the synthesized material is to effectively remove Baszol Violet 57L (BV57L) dye from wastewater. CeO2, was combined with a semiconductor photocatalyst, SnS2, to create a composite photocatalyst. This choice was made based on the exceptional photocatalytic activity of the catalyst when supported on rice straw (Oryza sativa var.) biochar, specifically for the adsorption of selected pollutants. The study investigated the integrated photocatalytic and adsorption (IPA) characteristics of the fabricated material, using BV57L dye as a representative emerging pollutant commonly found in wastewater. From the Tauc's plots of final nanohybrid (CSB) it was calculated that the energy band gap of CSB was around ∼2.7 eV. The novelty of the current study lies in its examination of the synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic properties under diverse reaction conditions that replicate real-world wastewater conditions. The inclusion of biochar in the CeO2-SnS2 nanocomposite yielded a discernible decline in the rate of charge recombination, thereby causing a notable enhancement in the photocatalytic efficiency of the nanocomposite.The adsorption data confirmed with the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 333.58 mg g−1 at BV57L concentration of 350 mg L−1 under optimal conditions, suggesting the occurrence of monolayer chemosorption and following pseudo-second-order rate kinetics with rate constant of 1.59 × 10−5 g mg−1 min−1. The process of photodegradation exhibits kinetics that can be approximated as pseudo-first-order, with the BV57L dye displaying a significant constant of 0.0731 min−1. A simultaneously processed adsorption and photodegradation model was found to achieve an overall BV57L removal efficiency of 97.26 % within a 90-min timeframe. Additionally, impact of pH, reusability-stability of catalyst, and a photodegradation mechanism for the BV57L removal is also clearly presented. The combination of visible light-induced photodegradation activity in CeO2-SnS2 nanocomposite and the adsorption capability of biochar leads to the highly effective removal of pollutants from the liquid phase.

Biochar and organic fertilizer applications enhance soil functional microbial abundance and agroecosystem multifunctionality

Biochar and organic fertilizer are widely supported to maintain crop production and sustainable development of agroecosystems. However, it is unclear how biochar and organic fertilizer alone or in combination regulate soil functional microbiomes and their relationships to ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF). Herein, a long-term (started in 2013) field experiment, containing five fertilization treatments, was employed to explore the effects of biochar and organic fertilizer applications on the EMF (based on 18 functional indicators of crop productivity, soil nutrient supply, element cycling, and microbial biomass) and the functional microbiomes of bulk soil and rhizosphere soil [normalizing the abundances of 64 genes related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulphur (S) cycles]. Compared with single-chemical fertilization, biochar and organic fertilizer inputs significantly enhanced most ecosystem-single functions and, in particular, the EMF significantly increased by 18.7–30.1%; biochar and organic fertilizer applications significantly increased the abundances of soil microbial functional taxa related to C-N-P-S cycles to varying degree. The combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer showed a better improvement in these indicators compared to using them individually. Most functional microbial populations in the soil, especially the taxa involved in C degradation, nitrification, nitrate-reduction, organic P mineralization, and S cycling showed significantly positive associations with the EMF at different threshold levels, which ultimately was regulated by soil pH and nutrient availability. These results highlight the strong links between soil microbiomes and agroecosystem functions, as well as providing scientific support for inclusion of biochar in agricultural production and services with organic amendments.Graphical

Assessment of mechanical properties with machine learning modeling and durability, and microstructural characteristics of a biochar-cement mortar composite

Rising CO2 emissions have become one of the biggest environmental challenges in recent years. Due to the rising carbon footprint of the building industry, CO2 emission regulation and mitigation have become perennial issues. The utilization of Biochar (BC) as a carbon-sequestering component in cement mortar is the novelty and main concern of this study. In this research, the effectiveness of BC in sequestering carbon was examined along with its effect on the mechanical, microstructural, and durability characteristics of the composite cement mortar. It includes a control and eight additional mixes prepared with 1%, 3%, 5%, and 8% BC by weight of cement added to mortar; the BC were prepared at two fixed temperatures of 300 °C and 500 °C. It also involves testing fresh properties, mechanical properties, durability properties, and microstructure analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). A Universal Testing Machine (UTM) was used to determine the mechanical properties of the cement mortar, such as its compressive and tensile strengths. The water permeability and rapid chloride permeability tests (RCPT) were used to evaluate the specimens' long-term stability as a measure of their durability. Based on the test results, it has been found that the inclusion of BC enhanced the strength and durability of cement mortar through its pozzolanic action. In addition, BC is a filler material whose porous structure fills the voids within the cement particles, decreasing water absorption and improving workability. BC sequesters carbon by carbonizing biomass. Its presence in cement mortar stores carbon that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere, which helps to reduce the environmental effect. According to the conclusion of the study, BC has the potential to be a sustainable component of cement mortar. In addition, the two distinct algorithms built upon machine learning applied in the analysis using adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) and linear regression (LR); both these analyses demonstrate that it is feasible to predict the characteristics of cement mortar accurately. The AdaBoost methodology outperforms the LR methodology because of its strong correlation value (R2).

Alleviating vanadium-induced stress on rice growth using phosphorus-loaded biochar

The current investigation aimed at evaluating the impact of as-is biochar (BC) and phosphorous (P)-loaded biochar (PBC) (3%) on the growth and biochemical characteristics of rice under exposure to vanadium (V) (60 mg L-1). The results indicate that rice plants exposed to V-only treatment experienced a decline in growth parameters. Conversely, the inclusion of BC and PBC caused a noteworthy increase in physiological traits. PBC performed well in stress environments, specifically, shoot and root fresh weight increased by 82.86 and 53.33%, respectively, when compared to V-only treatment. Additionally, the SPAD chlorophyll of the shoot increased by 13.05% than V-amended plants. Moreover, the antioxidant enzyme traits of plant shoot and root, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD by 56.11&117.35%), catalase (CAT by 34.19&35.77%), and peroxidase (POD 25.90&18.74%), exhibited significant increases when compared to V-only amended plants, respectively. These findings strongly suggest that the application of BC and PBC can trigger biochemical pathways that facilitate biomass accumulation in meristematic cells. However, further investigations are required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for this growth promotion.

Mechanical performance and water resistance of biochar admixture lightweight magnesium oxychloride cement

The applications of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) have been extensively studied recently due to its eco-friendly and high-strength nature. However, one of the significant limitations of MOC is its poor water resistance. To address this limitation, this study explored the prospect of incorporating biochar particles (up to 25 % of the dry mass of MgO) to form lightweight MOC with improved water resistance. The compressive (fc) and flexural (ff) strengths were investigated after 28-day curing and under 56-day water attack. The fc of MOC after immersion was determined under both wet (directly after immersion) and dry (air-dried to constant weights) conditions. The results indicated that the inclusion of 5 % and 10 % biochar increased the 28-day fc, while the addition of biochar decreased ff regardless of its dosage. Microscopic examination uncovered that the increase in strength resulted from the promoted production of phase 5 (5 Mg(OH)2·MgCl2·8H2O) and the reduction in unreacted MgO. The inclusion of 5 % and 10 % biochar increased the compressive and flexural strength retention ratios after 56-day immersion. The ff with 5 % biochar inclusion after immersion was higher compared to that of pure MOC. Moreover, the inclusion of biochar had minimal effects on the thermal degradation of MOC. The above results suggest that biochar can be a potential additive to enhance the mechanical behaviour and water resistance of MOC. As fc of immersed MOC increased during air-drying, a new equation was developed to describe variations in fc of MOC subject to different degrees of saturation during drying.

Unravelling the molecular and biochemical responses in cotton plants to biochar and biofertilizer amendments for Pb toxicity mitigation.

Over the past few years, there has been a rising interest in employing biochar (BC) and biofertilizers (BF) as a means of restoring soils that have been polluted by heavy metals. The primary objective of this study was to examine how the application of BC and BF affects the ability of cotton plants to withstand Pb toxicity at varying concentrations (0, 500, and 1000 mg/kg soil). The findings revealed that exposure to Pb stress, particularly at the 1000 mg/kg level, led to a decline in the growth and biomass of cotton plants. Pb toxicity triggered oxidative damage, impaired the photosynthetic apparatus, and diminished the levels of photosynthetic pigments. By increasing the expression of Rubisco-S, Rubisco-L, P5CR, and PRP5 genes and regulating proline metabolism, BC and BF increased the levels of proline and photosynthetic pigments and protected the photosynthetic apparatus. The application of BC and BF resulted in an upregulation of genes such as CuZnSOD, FeSOD, and APX1, as well as an increase in the activity of the glyoxalase system and antioxidant enzymes. These changes enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the plants and provided protection to membrane lipids from oxidative stress caused by Pb. The inclusion of BC and BF offered protection to photosynthesis and other essential intracellular processes in leaves by minimizing the transfer of Pb to leaves and promoting the accumulation of thiol compounds. This protective effect helped mitigate the negative impact of the toxic metal Pb on leaf function. By improving plant tolerance, reducing metal transfer, strengthening the antioxidant defense system, and enhancing the level of protective substances, these amendments show promise as valuable tools in tackling heavy metal pollution.

Utilization of the Nannochloropsis microalgae biochar prepared via microwave assisted pyrolysis on the mixed biomass fuel pellets

Nannochloropsis microalgae biochar has become increasingly attractive due to its potential as a component of microalgae-based biodiesel blends. This biochar is a by-product of the pyrolysis process, but its use in the energy sector has been limited. In this study, pellets were formed using microalgae residues and their physiochemical properties were analyzed to assess the feasibility of using microalgae biochar as a fuel source. Three types of biomasses, namely date seed dust, coconut shell waste, and microalgae biochar, were utilized to produce fuel pellets. These pellets were categorized into three types, B1, B2, and B3, based on the composition of the biomass. The inclusion of microalgae biochar in the pellets resulted in enhanced calorific value, as well as improved heating value and bulk density. Moreover, the mechanical strength of microalgae-based pellets was higher due to their high lignin content compared to another biomass. The moisture absorption test results showed that the use of mixed biomass reduced the moisture content over an extended period. Microalgae pellets exhibited higher young's modulus and greater impact resistance, indicating greater mechanical strength. Furthermore, due to their higher calorific value, the combustion time of microalgae pellets was greater than that of other biomass. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that microalgae biochar can be a promising alternative fuel source for the energy sector.

Inclusion of biochar in a C dynamics model based on observations from an 8-year field experiment

Abstract. Biochar production and application as soil amendment is a promising carbon (C)-negative technology to increase soil C sequestration and mitigate climate change. However, there is a lack of knowledge about biochar degradation rate in soil and its effects on native soil organic carbon (SOC), mainly due to the absence of long-term experiments performed in field conditions. The aim of this work was to investigate the long-term degradation rate of biochar in an 8-year field experiment in a poplar short-rotation coppice plantation in Piedmont (Italy), and to modify the RothC model to assess and predict how biochar influences soil C dynamics. The RothC model was modified by including two biochar pools, labile (4 % of the total biochar mass) and recalcitrant (96 %), and the priming effect of biochar on SOC. The model was calibrated and validated using data from the field experiment. The results confirm that biochar degradation can be faster in field conditions in comparison to laboratory experiments; nevertheless, it can contribute to a substantial increase in the soil C stock in the long term. Moreover, this study shows that the modified RothC model was able to simulate the dynamics of biochar and SOC degradation in soils in field conditions in the long term, at least in the specific conditions examined.

Feeding biochar to horses: Effects on nutrient digestibility, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters

Biochar, a carbon-rich product from the pyrolysis of biomass, is a potentially effective feed additive to improve diet digestion and gut health; however, its effect on the horse digestive system is unknown. Our goal was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of horse diet with biochar on total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients, fecal characteristics (pH, and concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia-N), and blood serum parameters (metabolites, minerals, and vitamins). Eight Warmblood horses (mean ± SD; 613.8 ± 39.3 kg of body weight, BW) were used in a crossover design with two 15-day periods. Each 15-day period had a 10-day adaptation phase and a 5-day collection phase. Treatments were: (1) Control, basal diet consisted of meadow hay and crushed barley (80:20 on dry matter (DM) basis), and (2) Biochar, basal diet supplemented with 10 g of biochar/kg of diet DM. The horses were fed a total of 15 g DM/kg BW. Data were analyzed as a crossover design using the MIXED procedure of SAS. There were no statistical differences in nutrient digestibility between treatments; however, digestibility of all nutrients, except starch, was numerically higher in horses fed a diet with biochar. Fecal pH was higher (P = 0.015) in horses fed the diet supplemented with biochar than in those fed the control diet (mean pH 6.49 and 6.34, respectively). Increased fecal pH might be due to the high alkalinity of the biochar used. Neither the fecal concentration of total VFA (P = 0.295) nor the proportion of individual VFA (P > 0.05) were affected by the treatment. Concentrations of fecal ammonia-N were also unaffected (P = 0.887) by biochar. Biochar supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on serum concentrations of metabolites, minerals, or vitamins. In conclusion, our results suggest that dietary inclusion of biochar can be a safe and low-cost measure to ameliorate acidic pH in the hindgut of horses. However, differences in individual susceptibility to biochar effect on fecal pH warrant further investigation.

Carbonaceous admixtures in cementitious building materials: Effect of particle size blending on rheology, packing, early age properties and processing energy demand

Application of biochar, produced from locally generated wastes, as admixture in cement is a strategy to upcycle biomass waste and produce durable building materials. This research explores the influence of particle size and porosity of biochar, prepared from coconut shell and wood waste, added at 2 wt% of cement, on rheology, setting time, hydration and early age strength of cement mortar. For each biochar type, three particle size gradations are explored – coarser biochar (d50 = 45–50 μm) (obtained by sieving), finer biochar (d50 = 10–18 μm) (obtained by ball milling) and combination of coarser and finer biochar (d50 = 15–25 μm). Experimental findings suggest that combination of coarser and finer biochar improves workability and rheological properties of binder pastes compared to that with (only) coarser biochar. Depending on biochar type, hydration and rate of setting are accelerated compared to control. Inclusion of finer biochar and combination of finer and coarser biochar improve packing density and degree of hydration of pastes compared to coarser biochar and control, leading to 12–19% enhancement in compressive strength at 7-day age. Micro-structural investigations show that the macro-pores of coarser biochar can be filled with dense hydration products, although some macro-pores may remain unfilled. This offsets improvement in strength that can be achieved through enhancement in packing density. The approach of blending coarser and finer biochar reduces the energy demand and cost associated with ball-milling by 23–37% and SGD 2.30–4.80 per ton respectively compared to only finer (ball-milled) biochar per cubic meter of concrete. Overall, the findings from this research demonstrate that blending of biochar of different particle size distributions can enhance physical properties of cement-based materials, while reducing associated energy consumption.

Biochar-Added Cementitious Materials—A Review on Mechanical, Thermal, and Environmental Properties

The enhanced carbon footprint of the construction sector has created the need for CO2 emission control and mitigation. CO2 emissions in the construction sector are influenced by a variety of factors, including raw material preparation, cement production, and, most notably, the construction process. Thus, using biobased constituents in cement could reduce CO2 emissions. However, biobased constituents can degrade and have a negative impact on cement performance. Recently, carbonised biomass known as biochar has been found to be an effective partial replacement for cement. Various studies have reported improved mechanical strength and thermal properties with the inclusion of biochar in concrete. To comprehend the properties of biochar-added cementitious materials, the properties of biochar and their effect on concrete need to be examined. This review provides a critical examination of the mechanical and thermal properties of biochar and biochar-added cementitious materials. The study also covers biochar’s life cycle assessment and economic benefits. Overall, the purpose of this review article is to provide a means for researchers in the relevant field to gain a deeper understanding of the innate properties of biochar imparted into biochar-added cementitious materials for property enhancement and reduction of CO2 emissions.

Assessing the potential use of a feed additive based on biochar on broilers feeding upon productive performance, pH of digestive organs, cecum fermentation and bacterial community

This study was conducted to assess the influence of supplementing broiler diets with a commercial biochar on productive performance, pH of digestive organs, cecum short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile and bacterial community. 720 one day-old male Ross 308 broilers were fed with the following diets at starter (1–21 days) and grower-finisher period (22–42 days): control diet (0 g/kg of inclusion on diet of biochar, CTR) or 30 g/kg of inclusion of biochar. Regarding performance results, at the starter period animals fed a diet with biochar showed lower daily weight gain (DWG, P = 0.045) and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR, P = 0.034) but similar feed intake (FI, P = 0.928) compared to CTR. At the grower-finisher period, feeding broilers with biochar promoted an increase on DWG (P < 0.001) and a reduction on FCR (P < 0.001) with similar FI (P = 0.579) compared to CTR. For the entire period of feeding, animals fed with biochar showed an increased DWG (P < 0.001), body weight (P < 0.001) and European production efficiency factor (P < 0.001), a reduced FCR (P < 0.001) and a similar FI (P = 0.577) compared to CTR. Regarding digesta pH of digestive organs the pH of digesta of crop (P = 0.834), proventriculus (P = 0.846), gizzard (P = 0.850), ileum (P = 0.750) or cecum (P = 0.467) were not affected by biochar. Animals fed with biochar showed increased acetic (P = 0.011) and caproic (P = 0.003) contents, and similar propionic (P = 0.724), butyric (P = 0.568), isobutyric (P = 0.436), valeric (P = 0.898) and isovaleric (P = 884) contents compared to CTR. Biochar did not influence cecal bacterial species richness and diversity but altered community structure by increasing relative abundance of [Ruminococcus], Ruminococcus, Blautia and undefined genera (family Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Erysipelotrichaceae) and decreasing Lactobacillus, Coprococcus, Desulfotomaculum, Oscillospira, Clostridium (family Clostridiaceae) and undefined genera (families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae). In conclusion although the inclusion on diet of 30 g/kg biochar reduced the productive performance during the starter phase, an enhanced growth of animals during the grower-finisher period was observed, resulting in a greater performance and efficiency of production for the entire cycle without affecting the pH of digestive organs and increasing acetate contents in the caecum. The greater performance could be explained by minor microbiota shifts observed at OTU (Operational Taxonomic Unit) level without disturbing the native beneficial intestinal bacteria as expressed by the retained richness and diversity of the broilers caecal microbiota.

Biochar from sawmill residues: characterization and evaluation for its potential use in the horticultural growing media

Peat remains the primary constituent of horticultural growing media in professional use. However, use of peat in horticultural growing media results in greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss due to excavation of natural peatlands. Biochar is gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to peat use in horticulture. This study examined the potential of biochar produced from a particular type of sawmill residue, as a partial replacement for peat in horticultural growing media. Five treatments including peat only, biochar only, biochar and peat in 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1 (V/V) ratios were assessed. The addition of biochar into growing media increased the pH and EC of the medium. However, physical properties (air-filled porosity and water holding capacity) were negatively affected with the increase in biochar content in the medium. According to the germination test results, biochar significantly improved germination and the shoot and root length of germinated seeds of cress, lettuce and tomato when compared to peat-only and biochar-only treatments. The inclusion of biochar in 25–50% volume ratio improved plant growth parameters compared to peat-only and biochar-only media. Results obtained from this study suggest that sawmill residue offers great potential as a feedstock for biochar production and inclusion of biochar has positive effects on seed germination and plant growth that might compete with modified peat.