Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Criteria to Select Biochars for Field Studies based on Biochar Chemical Properties

  • Published:
BioEnergy Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One factor limiting the understanding and evaluation of biochar for soil amendment and carbon sequestration applications is the scarcity of long-term, large-scale field studies. Limited land, time, and material resources require that biochars for field trials be carefully selected. In this study, 17 biochars from the fast pyrolysis, slow pyrolysis, and gasification of corn stover, switchgrass, and wood were thoroughly characterized and subjected to an 8-week soil incubation as a way to select the most promising biochars for a field trial. The methods used to characterize the biochars included proximate analysis, CHNS elemental analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface (BET) area, photo-acoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and quantitative 13 C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The soil incubation study was used to relate biochar properties to three soil responses: pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and water leachate electrical conductivity (EC). Characterization results suggest that biochars made in a kiln process where some oxygen was present in the reaction atmosphere have properties intermediate between slow pyrolysis and gasification and therefore, should be grouped separately. A close correlation was observed between aromaticity determined by NMR and fixed carbon fraction determined by proximate analysis, suggesting that the simpler, less expensive proximate analysis method can be used to gain aromaticity information. Of the 17 biochars originally assessed, four biochars were ultimately selected for their potential to improve soil properties and to provide soil data to refine the selection scheme: corn stover low-temperature fast pyrolysis (highest amended soil CEC, information on high volatile matter/O–C ratio biochar), switchgrass O2/steam gasification (relatively high BET surface area, and amended soil pH, EC, and CEC), switchgrass slow pyrolysis (higher-amended soil pH and EC), and hardwood kiln carbonization (information on slow pyrolysis, gasification and kiln-produced differences).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

BET:

Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (surface area)

CEC:

Cation exchange capacity

CP:

Cross polarization

DP:

Direct polarization

EC:

Electrical conductivity

FTIR:

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

ICP-AES:

Inductively coupled plasmas atomic emission spectroscopy

MAS:

Magic angle spinning

NMR:

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

References

  1. Glaser B, Lehmann J, Zech W (2002) Ameliorating physical and chemical properties of highly weathered soils in the tropics with charcoal—a review. Biol Fertil Soils 35:219–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Laird DA (2008) The charcoal vision: a win–win–win scenario for simultaneously producing bioenergy, permanently sequestering carbon, while improving soil and water quality. Agron J 100:178–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Novak JM, Busscher WJ, Laird DL, Ahmedna M, Watts DW, Niandou MAS (2009) Impact of biochar amendment on fertility of a Southeastern Coastal Plain soil. Soil Science 174:105–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Liang B, Lehmann J, Solomon D et al (2006) Black carbon increases cation exchange capacity in soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 70:1719–1730

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Oguntunde PG, Fosu M, Ajayi AE, van de Giesen N (2004) Effects of charcoal production on maize yield, chemical properties and texture of soil. Biol Fertil Soils 39:295–299

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lehmann J (2007) Bio-energy in the black. Front Ecol Environ 5:381–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Gaunt JL, Lehmann J (2008) Energy balance and emissions associated with biochar sequestration and pyrolysis bioenergy production. Environ Sci Technol 42:4152–4158

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Cheng C-H, Lehmann J, Thies JE, Burton SD (2008) Stability of black carbon in soils across a climatic gradient. J Geophys Res 113:G02027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Woolf D, Amonette JE, Street-Perrot FA, Lehmann J, Joseph S (2010) Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. Nature Com 1:56

    Google Scholar 

  10. Okimori Y, Ogawa M, Takahashi F (2003) Potential of CO2 emission reductions by carbonizing biomass waste from industrial tree plantation in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Chang 8:261–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Reijnders L (2010) Are forestation, bio-char and landfilled biomass adequate offsets for the climate effects of burning fossil fuels? Energy Policy 37:2839–2841

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Roberts KG, Gloy BA, Joseph S, Scott NR, Lehmann J (2010) Life cycle assessment of biochar systems: estimating the energetic, economic, and climate change potential. Environ Sci Technol 44:827–833

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Bracmort KS (2009) Biochar: examination of an emerging concept to mitigate climate change. Congressional Research Service, Washington, D.C

    Google Scholar 

  14. Pratt K, Moran D (2010) Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of global biochar mitigation potential. Biomass Bioenergy 34:1149–1158

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Sohi S, Lopez-Capel E, Krull E, Bol R (2009) Biochar, climate change and soil: a review to guide future research. CSIRO, Glen Osmond, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  16. Özçimen D, Ersoy-Meriçboyu A (2010) Characterization of biochar and bio-oil samples obtained from carbonization of various biomass materials. Renew Energy 35:1319–1324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Spokas KA, Reicosky DC (2009) Impacts of sixteen different biochars on soil greenhouse gas production. Annals Env Sci 3:179–193

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Lima IM, Boateng AA, Klasson KT (2010) Physicochemical and adsorptive properties of fast-pyrolysis bio-chars and their steam activated counterparts. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 85:1515–1521

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Phan AN, Ryu C, Sharifi VN, Swithenbank J (2008) Characterisation of slow pyrolysis products from segregated wastes for energy production. J Anal Appl Pyrol 81:65–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ryu C, Sharifi VN, Swithenbank J (2007) Waste pyrolysis and generation of storable char. Int J Energ Res 31:177–191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Antal MJ, Mochidzuki K, Paredes LS (2003) Flash carbonization of biomass. Ind Eng Chem Res 42:3690–3699

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Bridgwater AV, Peacocke GVC (2000) Fast pyrolysis processes for biomass. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 4:1–73

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Sohi SP, Krull E, Lopez-Capel E, Bol R, Donald LS (2010) A review of biochar and its use and function in soil. Adv Agron 105:47–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Bourke J, Manley-Harris M, Fushimi C, Dowaki K, Nunoura T, Antal MJ (2007) Do all carbonized charcoals have the same chemical structure? 2. A model of the chemical structure of carbonized charcoal. Ind Eng Chem Res 46:5954–5967

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Brewer CE, Schmidt-Rohr K, Satrio JA, Brown RC (2009) Characterization of biochar from fast pyrolysis and gasification systems. Environ Prog Sustain Energy 28:386–396

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Spokas KA (2010) Review of the stability of biochar in soils: predictability of O:C molar ratios. Carbon Manage 1:289–303

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Laird DA, Brown RC, Amonette JE, Lehmann J (2009) Review of the pyrolysis platform for coproducing bio-oil and biochar. Biofuels Bioproducts Biorefining 3:547–562

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Cheng C-H, Lehmann J, Thies JE, Burton SD, Engelhard MH (2006) Oxidation of black carbon by biotic and abiotic processes. Org Geochem 37:1477–1488

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Joseph S, Camps-Arberstain M, Blackwell R, Zwioloski A, Major J (2010) Characterization to commercialization: what the consumer needs to know. Paper presented at the 3rd International Biochar Initiative Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 13 September 2010

  30. Cross A, Sohi S, Borlinghaus M (2010) The development of a toolkit for rapid assessment and prediction of biochar stability and agronomic utility. Paper presented at the 3rd International Biochar Initiative Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 14 September 2010

  31. Hayes M, Byrne C, Kwapinski W et al. (2010) Development of a biochar classificaiton system based on its effect on plant growth. Paper presented at the 3rd International Biochar Initiative Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 13 September 2010

  32. Deenik JL, McClellan T, Goro U, Antal MJ, Campbell S (2010) Charcoal volatile matter content influences plant growth and soil nitrogen transformations. Soil Sci Soc Am J 74:1259–1270

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Liesch AM, Weyers SL, Gaskin JW, Das KC (2010) Impact of two different biochars on earthworm growth and survival. Annals Env Sci 4:1–9

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Zhang A, Cui L, Pan G et al (2010) Effect of biochar amendment on yield and methane and nitrous oxide emissions from a rice paddy from Tai Lake plain, China. Agric Ecosyst Environ 139:469–475

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Yuan JH, Xu RK (2010) The amelioration effects of low temperature biochar generated from nine crop residues on an acidic Ultisol. Soil Use Manag. doi:10.1111/j.1475-2743.2010.00317.x

  36. Chan KY, Van Zwieten L, Meszaros I, Downie A, Joseph S (2008) Using poultry litter biochars as soil amendments. Aust J Soil Res 46:437–444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Laird DA, Fleming PD (2010) Impact of biochar amendments on the quality of a typical Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma 158:443–449

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Brockhoff SB, Christians NE, Killorn RJ, Horton R, Davis DD (2010) Physical and mineral-nutrition properties of sand-based turfgrass root zones amended with biochar. Agron J 102:1627–1631

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Brewer C, Hu Y-Y, Schmidt-Rohr K, Loynachan TE, Laird DA, Brown RC (2011) Characteristics of the extent of pyrolysis for corn stover fast pyrolysis biochars. J Environ Qual (under review)

  40. Laird DA, Fleming PD, Karlen DL, Wang B, Horton R (2010) Biochar impact on nutrient leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil. Geoderma 158:436–442

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Mao JD, Schmidt-Rohr K (2004) Accurate quantification of aromaticity and nonprotonated aromatic carbon fraction in natural organic matter by 13 C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. Environ Sci Technol 38:2680–2684

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Mao JD, Hu WG, Schmidt-Rohr K, Davies G, Ghabbour EA, Xing B (2000) Quantitative characterization of humic substances by solid-state carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:873–884

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Smernik RJ, Oades JM (2000) The use of spin counting for determining quantitation in solid state 13 C NMR spectra of natural organic matter: 2. HF-treated soil fractions. Geoderma 96:159–171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Suarez D (1996) Properties of alkaline–earth metals. In: Sparks DL (ed) Methods of soil analysis part 3 chemical methods. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI

    Google Scholar 

  45. Sumner ME, Miller WP (1996) Cation exchange capacity and exchange coefficients. In: Sparks DL (ed) Methods of soil analysis part 3: chemical methods. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI

    Google Scholar 

  46. Gaskin JW, Steiner C, Harris K, Das KC, Bibens B (2008) Effect of low-temperature pyrolysis conditions on biochar for agricultural use. Trans ASABE 51:2061–2069

    Google Scholar 

  47. Borchard N, Siemens J, Moeller A, Ladd BM, Amelung W, Utermann J (2010) Effects on soil properties and biomass by biochar from slow pyrolysis, fast pyrolysis and gasification. Paper presented at the ASA, CSSA, SSSA 2010 International Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA, 2 November, 2010

  48. Antal MJ, Gronli M (2003) The art, science, and technology of charcoal production. Ind Eng Chem Res 42:1619–1640

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Keiluweit M, Nico PS, Johnson MG, Kleber M (2010) Dynamic molecular structure of plant biomass-derived black carbon (biochar). Environ Sci Technol 44:1247–1253

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Zimmerman AR (2010) Abiotic and microbial oxidation of laboratory-produced black carbon (biochar). Environ Sci Technol 44:1295–1301

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Bridgwater AV (2007) IEA Bioenergy 27th update. Biomass Bioenergy 31:VII–XVIII

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Joseph S, Peacocke C, Lehmann J, Munroe P (2009) Developing a biochar classification and test methods. In: Lehmann J, Joseph S (eds) Biochar for environmental management science and technology. Earthscan, London

    Google Scholar 

  53. Krull ES, Baldock JA, Skjemstad JO, Smernik RJ (2009) Characteristics of biochar: organo-chemical properties. In: Lehmann J, Joseph S (eds) Biochar for environmental management science and technology. Earthscan, London

    Google Scholar 

  54. Mozaffari M, Russelle MP, Rosen CJ, Nater EA (2002) Nutrient supply and neutralizing value of alfalfa stem gasification ash. Soil Sci Soc Am J 66:171–178

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Rogovska NP, Laird DA, Cruse RM, Trabue S, Heaton E (2011) Methods for assessing biochar quality. J Env Qual (under review)

  56. Cheng C-H, Lehmann J, Engelhard MH (2008) Natural oxidation of black carbon in soils: changes in molecular form and surface charge along a climosequence. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 72:1598–1610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Financial support for this research was provided by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (Brewer). The authors would like to thank the following for their assistance on various aspects of the analysis process: CSET colleagues for providing biochar samples and process information; CSET staff and undergraduates on CHNS; John McClelland and Roger Jones on FTIR-PAS; Yan-Yan Hu on NMR; Maggie Lampo, Bernardo Thompson, and Mike Cruse on setting up the soil incubation and preparing samples; Dedrick Davis on water-holding capacity; and Pierce Fleming and David Laird on CEC.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Rachel Unger

    Present address: Department of Crop & Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Catherine E. Brewer

  2. Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Rachel Unger

  3. Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Klaus Schmidt-Rohr

  4. Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Iowa State University, 1140E Biorenewables Research Laboratory, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Robert C. Brown

Authors
  1. Catherine E. Brewer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rachel Unger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Klaus Schmidt-Rohr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Robert C. Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert C. Brown.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(DOCX 329 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brewer, C.E., Unger, R., Schmidt-Rohr, K. et al. Criteria to Select Biochars for Field Studies based on Biochar Chemical Properties. Bioenerg. Res. 4, 312–323 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-011-9133-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-011-9133-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation