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Assessment of Biomass and Biochar of Maritime Pine as a Porous Medium for Water Retention in Soils

Author

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  • Rodrigo V. Santos

    (Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Miguel A. A. Mendes

    (IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Carlos Alexandre

    (Department of Geosciences (ECT) and MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Manuela Ribeiro Carrott

    (LAQV-REQUIMTE, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Colégio Luís António Verney, Universidade de Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal)

  • Abel Rodrigues

    (IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
    INIAV, Instituto de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
    GeoBiotec, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2825-149 Caparica, Portugal)

  • Ana F. Ferreira

    (IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Pinewood biomass in Portugal can be considered a major source of biochar for soil physical, chemical, and biological edaphic amendment. This work intended to evaluate the aptitude of lab produced biochar for upgrading soil moisture dynamics’ relationships considering mixtures of biochar with silica-based sand. The methodology used focused on the carbonization of pine biomass with inert atmosphere at 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C, followed by a chemical proximate and thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared analysis, numerical modeling, and characterization of biochar porosity by gas adsorption (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) and mercury porosimetry. The results showed the increased amounts of soil water retention and plant available water, evaluated through pF curves, due to biochar application. The thermogravimetric analysis mass loss patterns and FTIR transmittance, reflected major structural modifications in carbonized products by comparison with raw biomass. Mercury porosimetry showed that biochar pores between 392 and 250 μm and 32 μm and 6 μm gave the highest pore volume for water retention with a major increase from carbonization, by comparison with physical activation. The used methodologies allowed us to conclude that the carbonaceous feedstock can potentiate the improvement of soil water relations aiming at agricultural land use.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodrigo V. Santos & Miguel A. A. Mendes & Carlos Alexandre & Manuela Ribeiro Carrott & Abel Rodrigues & Ana F. Ferreira, 2022. "Assessment of Biomass and Biochar of Maritime Pine as a Porous Medium for Water Retention in Soils," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:16:p:5882-:d:887569
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ferreira, A.F. & Soares Dias, A.P. & Silva, C.M. & Costa, M., 2015. "Evaluation of thermochemical properties of raw and extracted microalgae," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(P3), pages 365-372.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xia Yang & Qiong Zhang & Sarina J. Ergas, 2023. "Enhancement of System and Environmental Performance of High Solids Anaerobic Digestion of Lignocellulosic Banana Waste by Biochar Addition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Haoyu Wang & Yipei Jiang & Evan Park & Xue Han & Yimin Zeng & Chunbao Xu, 2023. "Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Pinewood Sawdust: Influence of Reaction Atmosphere," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.

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