IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i10p6323-d821332.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring the Potential of Straw Biochar for Environmentally Friendly Fertilizers

Author

Listed:
  • Rositsa Velichkova

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Martin Pushkarov

    (Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, College of Energy and Electronics (CEE), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Radostina A. Angelova

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Ognyan Sandov

    (Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, College of Energy and Electronics (CEE), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Detelin Markov

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Iskra Simova

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Peter Stankov

    (Centre for Research and Design in Human Comfort, Energy and Environment (CERDECEN), Technical University of Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria)

Abstract

The pyrolysis of wheat straw in order to produce biochar for soil amendment is a potential strategy for producing environmental friendly fertilizers capable of boosting soil fertility, increasing carbon storage, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. However, straw biochar’s potential to influence these aspects may vary depending on its properties. Our study sought to investigate biochar from wheat straw from three different regions in Bulgaria. A specially designed set up was used for the biochar production. Three pyrolytic temperatures (300, 400, and 500 °C) were applied, resulting in nine biochar samples. The specific characteristics included moisture content, volatile substances content, ash content, fixed carbon content, and joint ash and carbon content, and they were determined for each sample. The chemical content, resulting in 17 chemical elements and compounds, was measured and analysed. The results obtained showed that the produced straw biochar has the potential to be used as a fertilizer and soil supplement.

Suggested Citation

  • Rositsa Velichkova & Martin Pushkarov & Radostina A. Angelova & Ognyan Sandov & Detelin Markov & Iskra Simova & Peter Stankov, 2022. "Exploring the Potential of Straw Biochar for Environmentally Friendly Fertilizers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:10:p:6323-:d:821332
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/10/6323/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/10/6323/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Johannes Lehmann & John Gaunt & Marco Rondon, 2006. "Bio-char Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems – A Review," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 395-419, March.
    2. Mahrous Awad & Mahmuod M. El-Sayed & Xiang Li & Zhongzhen Liu & Syed Khalid Mustafa & Allah Ditta & Kamel Hessini, 2021. "Diminishing Heavy Metal Hazards of Contaminated Soil via Biochar Supplementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Candice Ellison & Murat Sean McKeown & Samir Trabelsi & Dorin Boldor, 2017. "Dielectric Properties of Biomass/Biochar Mixtures at Microwave Frequencies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-11, April.
    4. Yang, Xuanmin & Kang, Kang & Qiu, Ling & Zhao, Lixin & Sun, Renhua, 2020. "Effects of carbonization conditions on the yield and fixed carbon content of biochar from pruned apple tree branches," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1691-1699.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yaming Zhao & Xiangjun Wang & Guangwei Yao & Zhizhong Lin & Laiyuan Xu & Yunli Jiang & Zewen Jin & Shengdao Shan & Lifeng Ping, 2022. "Advances in the Effects of Biochar on Microbial Ecological Function in Soil and Crop Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-11, August.
    2. Lizhen Qin & Donghoon Shin, 2023. "Effects of UV Light Treatment on Functional Group and Its Adsorption Capacity of Biochar," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Lybbert, Travis & Sumner, Daniel, 2010. "Agricultural Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Developing Countries: Policy Options for Innovation and Technology Diffusion," Climate Change 320104, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD).
    4. Ana Castro & Nilcileny Da Silva Batista & Agnieszka E. Latawiec & Aline Rodrigues & Bernardo Strassburg & Daniel Silva & Ednaldo Araujo & Luiz Fernando D. De Moraes & Jose Guilherme Guerra & Gabriel G, 2018. "The Effects of Gliricidia -Derived Biochar on Sequential Maize and Bean Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-15, February.
    5. Huang, Yawen & Tao, Bo & Lal, Rattan & Lorenz, Klaus & Jacinthe, Pierre-Andre & Shrestha, Raj K. & Bai, Xiongxiong & Singh, Maninder P. & Lindsey, Laura E. & Ren, Wei, 2023. "A global synthesis of biochar's sustainability in climate-smart agriculture - Evidence from field and laboratory experiments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    6. Zhang, Zhikun & Zhu, Zongyuan & Shen, Boxiong & Liu, Lina, 2019. "Insights into biochar and hydrochar production and applications: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 581-598.
    7. Reijnders, L., 2009. "Are forestation, bio-char and landfilled biomass adequate offsets for the climate effects of burning fossil fuels?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 2839-2841, August.
    8. Kung, Chih-Chun & McCarl, Bruce A. & Cao, Xiaoyong, 2013. "Economics of pyrolysis-based energy production and biochar utilization: A case study in Taiwan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 317-323.
    9. Adam O’Toole & Christophe Moni & Simon Weldon & Anne Schols & Monique Carnol & Bernard Bosman & Daniel P. Rasse, 2018. "Miscanthus Biochar had Limited Effects on Soil Physical Properties, Microbial Biomass, and Grain Yield in a Four-Year Field Experiment in Norway," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-19, October.
    10. Jayanta Layek & Rumi Narzari & Samarendra Hazarika & Anup Das & Krishnappa Rangappa & Shidayaichenbi Devi & Arumugam Balusamy & Saurav Saha & Sandip Mandal & Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti & Subhash B, 2022. "Prospects of Biochar for Sustainable Agriculture and Carbon Sequestration: An Overview for Eastern Himalayas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, May.
    11. Duku, Moses Hensley & Gu, Sai & Hagan, Essel Ben, 2011. "Biochar production potential in Ghana—A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 3539-3551.
    12. Suopajärvi, Hannu & Pongrácz, Eva & Fabritius, Timo, 2013. "The potential of using biomass-based reducing agents in the blast furnace: A review of thermochemical conversion technologies and assessments related to sustainability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 511-528.
    13. Subhan Danish & Muhammad Zafar-ul-Hye & Shah Fahad & Shah Saud & Martin Brtnicky & Tereza Hammerschmiedt & Rahul Datta, 2020. "Drought Stress Alleviation by ACC Deaminase Producing Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Enterobacter cloacae , with and without Timber Waste Biochar in Maize," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-17, August.
    14. Kambo, Harpreet Singh & Dutta, Animesh, 2015. "A comparative review of biochar and hydrochar in terms of production, physico-chemical properties and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 359-378.
    15. Farrelly, Damien J. & Everard, Colm D. & Fagan, Colette C. & McDonnell, Kevin P., 2013. "Carbon sequestration and the role of biological carbon mitigation: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 712-727.
    16. Eugene Balashov & Natalya Buchkina & Vladimír Šimanský & Ján Horák, 2022. "Effects of Slow Pyrolysis Biochar on CO 2 Emissions from Two Soils under Anaerobic Conditions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-12, July.
    17. Mathews, John A., 2008. "Carbon-negative biofuels," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 940-945, March.
    18. Amutio, M. & Lopez, G. & Artetxe, M. & Elordi, G. & Olazar, M. & Bilbao, J., 2012. "Influence of temperature on biomass pyrolysis in a conical spouted bed reactor," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 23-31.
    19. Isabel Teichmann, 2015. "An Economic Assessment of Soil Carbon Sequestration with Biochar in Germany," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1476, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    20. Feng, Qunjie & Lin, Yunqin, 2017. "Integrated processes of anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis for higher bioenergy recovery from lignocellulosic biomass: A brief review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1272-1287.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:10:p:6323-:d:821332. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.