Journal article
Authors list: Qayyum, MF; Steffens, D; Reisenauer, HP; Schubert, S
Publication year: 2012
Pages: 1210-1220
Journal: Journal of Environmental Quality
Volume number: 41
Issue number: 4
ISSN: 0047-2425
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2011.0058
Publisher: Wiley
Abstract:
Application of biochars to soils may stabilize soil organic matter and sequester carbon (C). The objectives of our research were to study in vitro C mineralization kinetics of various biochars in comparison with wheat straw in three soils and to study their contribution to C stabilization. Three soils (Oxisol, Alfisol topsoil, and Alfisol subsoil) were incubated at 25 degrees C with wheat straw, charcoal, hydrothermal carbonization coal (HTC), low-temperature conversion coal (LTC), and a control (natural organic matter). Carbon mineralization was analyzed by alkali absorption of CO2 released at regular intervals over 365 d. Soil samples taken after 5 and 365 d of incubation were analyzed for soluble organic C and inorganic N. Chemical characterization of biochars and straw for C and N bonds was performed with Fourier transformation spectroscopy and with the N fractionation method, respectively. The LTC treatment contained more N in the heterocyclic-bound N fraction as compared with the biochars and straw. Charcoal was highly carbonized when compared with the HTC and LTC. The results show higher C mineralization and a lower half-life of straw-C compared with biochars. Among biochars, HTC showed some C mineralization when compared with charcoal and LTC over 365 d. Carbon mineralization rates were different in the three soils. The half-life of charcoal-C was higher in the Oxisol than in the Alfisol topsoil and subsoil, possibly due to high Fe-oxides in the Oxisol. The LTC-C had a higher half-life, possibly due to N unavailability. We conclude that biochar stabilization can be influenced by soil type.
Citation Styles
Harvard Citation style: Qayyum, M., Steffens, D., Reisenauer, H. and Schubert, S. (2012) Kinetics of Carbon Mineralization of Biochars Compared with Wheat Straw in Three Soils, Journal of Environmental Quality, 41(4), pp. 1210-1220. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2011.0058
APA Citation style: Qayyum, M., Steffens, D., Reisenauer, H., & Schubert, S. (2012). Kinetics of Carbon Mineralization of Biochars Compared with Wheat Straw in Three Soils. Journal of Environmental Quality. 41(4), 1210-1220. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2011.0058
