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The Potential Benefits and Limitations of Corn Cob and Sewage Sludge Biochars in an Infertile Oxisol

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  • Jonathan L. Deenik

    (Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA)

  • Michael J. Cooney

    (Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA)

Abstract

The thermal conversion of sewage sludge to biochar offers a promising alternative use for a hazardous waste material with potential benefits to agricultural productivity and soil quality. Three short-term greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of corn cob (CC) and sewage sludge (SS) biochars, with their anaerobically treated counterparts, on soil properties and plant growth in an infertile Oxisol. The anaerobically treated SS biochar showed the greatest concentration of bioavailable essential nutrients, but treatment only resulted in increased yields for the SS biochar in the first crop in the absence of added fertilizer. Both CC and SS biochars in combination with fertilizer doubled plant growth compared to the control in the first crop cycle, produced no significant effect in the second cycle, and more than tripled plant growth for the SS biochars in the third cycle. High ash content with high nutrient contributions (especially P) and a persistent liming effect explain the benefits of the SS biochars to plant growth. The SS biochar showed promise in mitigating the negative effects of soil Mn toxicity. Sewage sludge biochars reduced Cd bioavailability and had no significant effect on the bioavailability of other potentially toxic metals compared to the control.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan L. Deenik & Michael J. Cooney, 2016. "The Potential Benefits and Limitations of Corn Cob and Sewage Sludge Biochars in an Infertile Oxisol," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:2:p:131-:d:63174
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lopez, Ryan J. & Higgins, Scott R. & Pagaling, Eulyn & Yan, Tao & Cooney, Michael J., 2014. "High rate anaerobic digestion of wastewater separated from grease trap waste," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 234-242.
    2. Fonts, Isabel & Gea, Gloria & Azuara, Manuel & Ábrego, Javier & Arauzo, Jesús, 2012. "Sewage sludge pyrolysis for liquid production: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 2781-2805.
    3. Fytili, D. & Zabaniotou, A., 2008. "Utilization of sewage sludge in EU application of old and new methods--A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 116-140, January.
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    1. Donna Davys & Francis Rayns & Susanne Charlesworth & Robert Lillywhite, 2023. "The Effect of Different Biochar Characteristics on Soil Nitrogen Transformation Processes: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Biyensa Gurmessa, 2021. "Soil acidity challenges and the significance of liming and organic amendments in tropical agricultural lands with reference to Ethiopia," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 77-99, January.
    3. Kiatkamjon Intani & Sajid Latif & Md. Shafiqul Islam & Joachim Müller, 2018. "Phytotoxicity of Corncob Biochar before and after Heat Treatment and Washing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Simon Kizito & Hongzhen Luo & Jiaxin Lu & Hamidou Bah & Renjie Dong & Shubiao Wu, 2019. "Role of Nutrient-Enriched Biochar as a Soil Amendment during Maize Growth: Exploring Practical Alternatives to Recycle Agricultural Residuals and to Reduce Chemical Fertilizer Demand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-22, June.
    5. Luis Carlos Díaz Muegue & Julio César Arranz González & Gustavo Peñuela Mesa, 2017. "Characterization and Potential Use of Biochar for the Remediation of Coal Mine Waste Containing Efflorescent Salts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-11, November.
    6. Raziye Kul & Ertan Yıldırım & Melek Ekinci & Metin Turan & Sezai Ercisli, 2022. "Effect of Biochar and Process Water Derived from the Co-Processed Sewage Sludge and Food Waste on Garden Cress’ Growth and Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.

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