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Development of a Biochar-Based Substrate Added with Nitrogen from a Mining Effluent for the Production of Picea mariana Seedlings

Author

Listed:
  • Émilie Robert

    (Centre Technologique des Résidus Industriels (CTRI), Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E5, Canada)

  • Flavia Lega Braghiroli

    (Centre Technologique des Résidus Industriels (CTRI), Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E5, Canada
    Institut de Recherche sur les Forêts (IRF), Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E4, Canada)

Abstract

Ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH 3 ) is one of the pollutants that has adverse effects on the environment and is present in most effluents generated by mining operations. Therefore, mining companies must manage it to keep it below the regulated discharge criteria to avoid environmental contamination. In this context, the present study aims to valorize N-NH 3 in the form of ammonium sulphate ((NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 ) for the manufacture of biochar pellets used as growth substrates for the production of forest seedlings. The biochar was first produced by fast pyrolysis, at 320 °C, and different recipes of pellets were then prepared to evaluate their hardness, binder type and content, humidity and durability. The optimal granule chosen was composed of biochar, corn starch and canola oil. Six combinations of different compositions were then prepared as substrates for black spruce growth: (1) Peat (P); (2) Peat and bulk biochar (PB); (3) Peat and bulk biochar impregnated with ammonium sulfate (PBAS); (4) Peat and biochar pellets impregnated with water (PBPeW); (5) Peat and biochar pellets impregnated with an ammonium sulfate solution (PBPeAS); (6) Peat, biochar pellets impregnated with ammonium sulfate and perlite (PBPeASPer). The effects of these substrates on the growth of black spruce seedlings, as well as fertilizer leaching, were measured. The results show that seedling biomass is equivalent to the control for the granular treatment, but higher biomass was obtained with bulk biochar (PB). This shows that a quarter of peat could be replaced by biochar to obtain similar or even better results of biomass yield and, consequently, solve part of the supply issue. As to plant nutrition, no tendency was observed for the experiments apart from the higher proportion of Ca in spruce needles. The prepared biochar-based pellet substrate appears to not only be advantageous for spruce production but also for other uses such as golf courses, forestry producers and horticultural nurseries using conventional fertilizers and peat as growing media. In addition, these approaches could help the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region in Québec, Canada to build a local circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Émilie Robert & Flavia Lega Braghiroli, 2022. "Development of a Biochar-Based Substrate Added with Nitrogen from a Mining Effluent for the Production of Picea mariana Seedlings," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:4:y:2022:i:3:p:47-784:d:884178
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard Bergman & Kamalakanta Sahoo & Karl Englund & Seyed Hashem Mousavi-Avval, 2022. "Lifecycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis of Biochar Pellet Production from Forest Residues and Field Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. García, R. & Gil, M.V. & Fanjul, A. & González, A. & Majada, J. & Rubiera, F. & Pevida, C., 2021. "Residual pyrolysis biochar as additive to enhance wood pellets quality," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 850-859.
    3. Safa Arous & Ahmed Koubaa & Hassine Bouafif & Besma Bouslimi & Flavia Lega Braghiroli & Chedly Bradai, 2021. "Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature and Wood Species on the Properties of Biochar Pellets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-15, October.
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