Short-term effects on soil of biogas digestate, biochar and their combinations
Roberto Cardelli
A B , Gabriele Giussani A , Fausto Marchini A and Alessandro Saviozzi A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
B Corresponding author. Email: roberto.cardelli@unipi.it
Soil Research 56(6) 623-631 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR18017
Submitted: 19 January 2018 Accepted: 30 May 2018 Published: 23 August 2018
Abstract
The use of the residual material from waste aerobic digestion and biochar as amendments is currently discussed in the literature concerning the positive and negative effects on soil quality. We assessed the suitability of digestate (D) from biogas production and green biochar (B) to improve soil biological activity and antioxidant capacity and investigated whether there is an interaction between digestate and biochar applied to soil in combination. In a short-term (100-days) laboratory incubation, we monitored soil chemical and biological parameters. We compared soil amendments with 1% D (D1), 5% D (D5), 1% B (B), digestate–biochar combinations (D1+B and D5+B), and soil with no amendment. In D5, CO2 production, antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and dehydrogenase activity (DH-ase) and the contents of microbial biomass C, DOC and alkali-soluble phenols increased to the highest level. The biochar increased the total organic C (TOC) and TEAC of soil but decreased DOC, CO2 production, microbial biomass C, and DH-ase. The addition of biochar to digestate reduced soluble compounds (DOC and phenols), thus limiting the amount and activity of the soil microbial biomass (CO2 production and DH-ase). After 100 days of incubation D5+B showed the highest TOC content (82.8% of the initial amount). Both applied alone and in combination with digestate, the biochar appears to enrich the soil C sink by reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
Additional keywords: biochar, biosolids, soil enzyme activity, soil organic carbon.
References
Abubaker J, Cederlund H, Arthurson V, Pell M (2013) Bacterial community structure and microbial activity in different soils amended with biogas residues and cattle slurry. Applied Soil Ecology 72, 171–180.| Bacterial community structure and microbial activity in different soils amended with biogas residues and cattle slurry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Abubaker J, Risberg K, Jönsson E, Dahlin AS, Cederlund H, Pell M (2015) Short-term effects of biogas digestates and pig slurry application on soil microbial activity. Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2015,
| Short-term effects of biogas digestates and pig slurry application on soil microbial activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Alburquerque JA, De la Fuente C, Campoy M, Carrasco L, Nàjera I, Baixauli C, Caravaca F, Roldàn A, Cegarra J, Bernal MP (2012) Agricultural use of digestate for horticultural crop production and improvement of soil properties. European Journal of Agronomy 43, 119–128.
| Agricultural use of digestate for horticultural crop production and improvement of soil properties.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Artiola JF, Rasmussen C, Freitas R (2012) Effects of a biochar amended alkaline soil on the growth of romaine lettuce and bermudagrass. Soil Science 177, 561–570.
| Effects of a biochar amended alkaline soil on the growth of romaine lettuce and bermudagrass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bascomb CL (1964) Rapid method for the determination of cation-exchange capacity of calcareous and non-calcareous soils. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 15, 821–823.
| Rapid method for the determination of cation-exchange capacity of calcareous and non-calcareous soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Biederman LA, Phelps J, Ross BJ, Polzin M, Harpole WS (2017) Biochar and manure alter few aspects of prairie development: a field test. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 236, 78–87.
| Biochar and manure alter few aspects of prairie development: a field test.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bougnom BP, Niederkofler C, Knapp BA, Stimpfl E, Insam H (2012) Residues from renewable energy production: their value for fertilizing pastures. Biomass and Bioenergy 39, 290–295.
| Residues from renewable energy production: their value for fertilizing pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bremner JM, Mulvaney CS (1982) Nitrogen total. In ‘Methods of soil analysis. Part 2: Chemical and microbiological properties.’ (Eds AL Page, RH Miller, DR Keeney) pp. 595–624. (American Society of Agronomy Inc.: Madison, WI)
Cardelli R, Marchini F, Saviozzi A (2012) Soil organic matter characteristics, biochemical activity and antioxidant capacity in Mediterranean land use systems. Soil & Tillage Research 120, 8–14.
| Soil organic matter characteristics, biochemical activity and antioxidant capacity in Mediterranean land use systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Casida LE, Klein DA, Santoro T (1964) Soil dehydrogenase activity. Soil Science 98, 371–376.
| Soil dehydrogenase activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chintala R, Schumacher TE, Kumar S, Malo DD, Rice JA, Bleakley B, Chilom G, Clay DE, Julson JL, Papiernik SK, Gu ZR (2014) Molecular characterization of biochars and their influence on microbiological properties of soil. Journal of Hazardous Materials 279, 244–256.
| Molecular characterization of biochars and their influence on microbiological properties of soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
de la Fuente C, Alburquerque JA, Clemente R, Bernal MP (2013) Soil C and N mineralisation and agricultural value of the products of an anaerobic digestion system. Biology and Fertility of Soils 49, 313–322.
| Soil C and N mineralisation and agricultural value of the products of an anaerobic digestion system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Deenik JL, McClellan T, Uehara G, Antal MJ, Campbell S (2010) Charcoal volatile matter content influences plant growth and soil nitrogen transformations. Soil Science Society of America Journal 74, 1259–1270.
| Charcoal volatile matter content influences plant growth and soil nitrogen transformations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dempster DN, Gleeson DB, Solaiman ZM, Jones DL, Murphy DV (2012) Decreased soil microbial biomass and nitrogen mineralisation with Eucalyptus biochar addition to a coarse textured soil. Plant and Soil 354, 311–324.
| Decreased soil microbial biomass and nitrogen mineralisation with Eucalyptus biochar addition to a coarse textured soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Durenkamp M, Luo Y, Brookes PC (2010) Impact of black carbon addition to soil on the determination of soil microbial biomass by fumigation extraction. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 42, 2026–2029.
| Impact of black carbon addition to soil on the determination of soil microbial biomass by fumigation extraction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Elste B, Tischer S, Christen O (2010) Einfluss von Biogasgärrückständen auf Abundanz und Biomasse von Lumbriciden. In: Berichte der DBG: Gemeinsame Sitzung Kommission III DBG und Fachgruppe 4 Bundesverband Boden mit dem Titel: Boden und Standortqualität-Bioindikation mit Regenwürmern, FH Osnabrück, 25–26 Februar 2010. http://www.dbges.de.
Hall KE, Calderon MJ, Spokas KA, Cox L, Koskinen WC, Novak J, Cantrell K (2014) Phenolic acid sorption to biochars from mixtures of feedstock materials. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 225, 2031–2039.
| Phenolic acid sorption to biochars from mixtures of feedstock materials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Han Y, Boateng AA, Qi PX, Lima IM, Chang J (2013) Heavy metal and phenol adsorptive properties of biochars from pyrolyzed switchgrass and woody biomass in correlation with surface properties. Journal of Environmental Management 118, 196–204.
| Heavy metal and phenol adsorptive properties of biochars from pyrolyzed switchgrass and woody biomass in correlation with surface properties.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holm-Nielsen JB, Al Seadi T, Oleskowicz-Popiel P (2009) The future of anaerobic digestion and biogas utilization. Bioresource Technology 100, 5478–5484.
| The future of anaerobic digestion and biogas utilization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jenkinson DS, Powlson DS (1976) The effects of biocidal treatments on metabolism in soil. V: a method for measuring soil biomass. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 8, 209–213.
| The effects of biocidal treatments on metabolism in soil. V: a method for measuring soil biomass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johansen A, Carter MS, Jensen ES, Hauggard-Nielsen H, Ambus P (2013) Effects of digestate from anaerobically digested cattle slurry and plant materials on soil microbial community and emission of CO2 and N2O. Applied Soil Ecology 63, 36–44.
| Effects of digestate from anaerobically digested cattle slurry and plant materials on soil microbial community and emission of CO2 and N2O.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Khodadad CLM, Zimmerman AR, Green SJ, Uthandi S, Foster JS (2011) Taxa-specific changes in soil microbial community composition induced by pyrogenic carbon amendments. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 43, 385–392.
| Taxa-specific changes in soil microbial community composition induced by pyrogenic carbon amendments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kupper T, Bürge D, Bachmann HJ, Güsewell S, Mayer J (2014) Heavy metals in source-separated compost and digestates. Waste Management 34, 867–874.
| Heavy metals in source-separated compost and digestates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kuwatsuka S, Shindo H (1973) Behaviour of phenolic substances in the decaying process of plants. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 19, 219–227.
| Behaviour of phenolic substances in the decaying process of plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kuzyakov Y, Subbotina I, Chen HQ, Bogomolova I, Xu XL (2009) Black carbon decomposition and incorporation into soil microbial biomass estimated by C-14 labeling. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 41, 210–219.
| Black carbon decomposition and incorporation into soil microbial biomass estimated by C-14 labeling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lehmann J, Rillig MC, Thies J, Masiello CA, Hockaday WC, Crowley D (2011) Biochar effects on soil biota – a review. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 43, 1812–1836.
| Biochar effects on soil biota – a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Makádi M, Tomócsik A, Orosz V (2012) Digestate: a new nutrient source – Review. In ‘Biogas’. (Ed S Kumar) pp. 295–310. (InTech Europe: Rijeka, Croatia)
Malghani S, Gleixner G, Trumbore SE (2013) Chars produced by slow pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization vary in carbon sequestration potential and greenhouse gases emissions. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 62, 137–146.
| Chars produced by slow pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization vary in carbon sequestration potential and greenhouse gases emissions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mukherjee S, Weihermuller L, Tappe W, Verecken H, Burauel P (2016) Microbial respiration of biochar-and digestate-based mixtures. Biology and Fertility of Soils 52, 151–164.
| Microbial respiration of biochar-and digestate-based mixtures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Novak M, Busscher J, Watts W, Laird D, Ahmedna DA, Niandou AS (2010) Short-term CO2 mineralization after additions of biochar and switchgrass to a typic Kandiudult. Geoderma 154, 281–288.
| Short-term CO2 mineralization after additions of biochar and switchgrass to a typic Kandiudult.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
O’Neill B, Grossman J, Tsai MT, Gomes JE, Lehmann J, Peterson J, Neves E, Thies JE (2009) Bacterial community composition in Brazilian Anthrosols and adjacent soils characterized using culturing and molecular identification. Microbial Ecology 58, 23–35.
| Bacterial community composition in Brazilian Anthrosols and adjacent soils characterized using culturing and molecular identification.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Olsen SR, Cole CV, Watanabe FS, Dean LA (1954) Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. U.S. Dep. of Agric. Circular 939–940.
Re R, Pellegrini N, Proteggente A, Pannala A, Yang M, Rice-Evans C (1999) Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free Radical Biology & Medicine 26, 1231–1237.
| Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rimmer DL (2006) Free radicals, antioxidants, and soil organic matter recalcitrance. European Journal of Soil Science 57, 91–94.
| Free radicals, antioxidants, and soil organic matter recalcitrance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rimmer DL, Abbott GD (2011) Phenolic compounds in NaOH extracts of UK soils and their contribution to antioxidant capacity. European Journal of Soil Science 62, 285–294.
| Phenolic compounds in NaOH extracts of UK soils and their contribution to antioxidant capacity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rimmer DL, Smith AM (2009) Antioxidants in soil organic matter and in associated plant materials. European Journal of Soil Science 60, 170–175.
| Antioxidants in soil organic matter and in associated plant materials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Risberg K, Cederlund H, Pell M, Arthurson V, Schnürer A (2017) Comparative characterization of digestate versus pig slurry and cow manure – chemical composition and effects on soil microbial activity. Waste Management 61, 529–538.
| Comparative characterization of digestate versus pig slurry and cow manure – chemical composition and effects on soil microbial activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sänger A, Geisseler D, Ludwig B (2014) C and N dynamics of a range of biogas slurries as a function of application rate and soil texture: a laboratory experiment. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 60, 1779–1794.
| C and N dynamics of a range of biogas slurries as a function of application rate and soil texture: a laboratory experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Saviozzi A, Cardelli R (2014) Organic matter characteristics, biochemical activity and antioxidant capacity of soil amended with different organic materials. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 60, 119–131.
| Organic matter characteristics, biochemical activity and antioxidant capacity of soil amended with different organic materials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scheer C, Grace PR, Rowlings DW, Kimber S, Van Zwieten L (2011) Effect of biochar amendment on the soil-atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases from an intensive subtropical pasture in northern New South Wales, Australia. Plant and Soil 345, 47–58.
| Effect of biochar amendment on the soil-atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases from an intensive subtropical pasture in northern New South Wales, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
SISS [Societa‘ italiana Scienza del Suolo] (1995) ‘Metodi normalizzati di analisi del suolo.’ (Edagricole: Bologna, Italy)
Spielmeyer A, Ahlborn J, Hamscher G (2014) Simultaneous determination of 14 sulfonamides and tetracyclines in biogas plants by liquid-liquid-extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 406, 2513–2524.
| Simultaneous determination of 14 sulfonamides and tetracyclines in biogas plants by liquid-liquid-extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Steel RGD, Torrie JH, Dickey DA (1997) ‘Principles and procedures of statistics.’ (McGraw Hill: New York, USA)
Su P, Lou J, Brookes PC, Luo Y, He Y, Xu J (2017) Taxon-specific responses of soil microbial communities to different soil priming effects induced by addition of plant residues and their biochars. Journal of Soils and Sediments 17, 674–684.
| Taxon-specific responses of soil microbial communities to different soil priming effects induced by addition of plant residues and their biochars.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thomas GW (1982) Exchangeable cations. In ‘Methods of soil analysis. Part 2: Chemical and microbiological properties’. (Ed. AL Page) pp. 159–165. (American Society of Agronomy Inc.: Madison, WI)
Vance ED, Brookes PC, Jenkinson DS (1987) An extraction method for measuring soil microbial biomass carbon. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 19, 703–707.
| An extraction method for measuring soil microbial biomass carbon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wu W, Yang M, Feng Q, McGrouther K, Wang H, Lu H, Chen Y (2012) Chemical characterization of rice straw-derived biochar for soil amendment. Biomass and Bioenergy 47, 268–276.
| Chemical characterization of rice straw-derived biochar for soil amendment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Xie T, Sadasivam BY, Asce SM, Reddy KR, Asce F, Wang C, Spokas K (2016) Review of the effects of biochar amendment on soil properties and carbon sequestration. Journal of Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste 20,
| Review of the effects of biochar amendment on soil properties and carbon sequestration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yuan JH, Xu RK, Zhang H (2011) The forms of alkalis in the biochar produced from crop residues at different temperatures. Bioresource Technology 102, 3488–3497.
| The forms of alkalis in the biochar produced from crop residues at different temperatures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zimmerman AR, Gao B, Ahn MY (2011) Positive and negative carbon mineralization priming effects among a variety of biochar-amended soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 43, 1169–1179.
| Positive and negative carbon mineralization priming effects among a variety of biochar-amended soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
