The utility of biochar for increasing the fertility of new agricultural lands converted from boreal forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joinal Abedin ◽  
Adrian Unc
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Agricultural Lands ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Diminishing Returns ◽  
The Impact

The agricultural soils of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay (HV-GB) region of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada are Podzols that are converted from boreal forest and have limited productivity due to their sandy texture, acidity, low soil organic matter (SOM), CEC, and water and nutrient retention capacity. While numerous studies advocate biochar for mitigating soil quality problems and enhancing agronomic productivity, there is limited information on managing biochar for boosting productivity of Podzols under newly converted agricultural lands. A 5-year experiment evaluated the impact of eight biochar rates (0 to 80 Mg C ha-1) on soil properties including SOM, CEC, and availability of plant nutrients and metals in agricultural soils of HV-GB. Both immediate and long term impacts were thus assessed. Biochar generally improved soil fertility indicators. While the largest rates (40 and 80 Mg C ha-1) led to the greatest changes, significant changes were also found with rates as low as 10 Mg C ha-1. Increasing biochar rates had diminishing returns for soil’s quality parameters. The impact of biochar decreased with time after application, but the largest rate led to longer lasting effects. Although biochar was incorporated in topsoil, its effects were also measurable in the subsoil, albeit with a temporal delay, usually of one year. Thus, given the diminishing returns of increasing biochar rates, and that beneficial effects diminish over years, it is advisable that biochar be added in smaller amounts immediately after conversion, as little as 10 Mg C ha-1, with regular supplementation as needed.

scholarly journals Methodology for assessing the power of the primary source of the system of autonomous electrical supply with account of the predicted load graphics

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-214
Author(s):  
D. V. Karkotski ◽  
A. N. Malashin ◽  
S. A. Chumakov ◽  
Y. G. Koval
Keyword(s):  
Supply Voltage ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Operation Time ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Autonomous Operation ◽  
Current Consumption ◽  
The Impact

When developing new or upgrading existing energy-intensive mobile objects (MO), the main way to ensure the quality parameters of the supply voltage is no worse than in the state grid, overestimation of the primary source (PS) power is 1.5–2 times relative to the maximum power of all electrical energy consumers (EEC) software.The consequence of the existing approach to determine the power of PS are: overestimation of the mass and dimensions of the autonomous power supply system (APSS) by 30–70 %, which significantly reduces speed characteristics, cross-country performance and battery autonomy of MO, as well as worsen the economics of the APSS; the workload of the PS APSS is not more than 35–55 % of the nominal capacity, which leads to a reduction in their service lives.Thus, it is impossible to take into account the peculiarities of the actual current consumption of individual EEC and the impact of their joint operation on specific PS APSS, which leads to additional financial costs and an increase in development time, as well as to the risk of failure during the testing of both the APSS and the equipment connected to it.The proposed approach for estimating the PS power of electric energy in APSS MO allows determining the full power of the EEC in terms of limited information about the EEC taking into account the nature of the load graph, as well as the magnitude and form of current consumption. As a result of analytical calculations according to the above methodology, the PS power can be reduced by 13–45 %, depending on the nature of the load, while maintaining the quality indicators of the supply voltage within acceptable limits.The considered methods for determining the power of the PS APSS will make it possible to determine the limitations for solving the problem of structural-parametric synthesis of the APSS and the algorithm for determining the power of the PS when developing a new or upgrading the existing APSS MO. This will reduce the weight and size parameters of the APSS, thereby increasing the speed characteristics, maneuverability and software permeability of MO, as well as the autonomous operation time and efficiency of the APSS operation.

scholarly journals Effects of mountain agriculture on nutrient cycling at upstream watersheds

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 4785-4811
Author(s):  
T.-C. Lin ◽  
P. L. Shaner ◽  
L.-J. Wang ◽  
Y.-T. Shih ◽  
C.-P. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
Agricultural Lands ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
Mountain Watersheds ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Reservoir Watershed ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Feitsui Reservoir

Abstract. The expansion of agriculture to rugged mountains can exacerbate negative impacts of agriculture activities on ecosystem function. In this study, we monitored streamwater chemistry of four watersheds with varying proportions of agricultural lands (0.4, 3, 17, 22%) and rainfall chemistry of two of the four watersheds at Feitsui Reservoir Watershed in northern Taiwan to examine the effects of agriculture on watershed nutrient cycling. We found that the greater the proportions of agricultural lands, the higher the ion concentrations, which is evident for fertilizer-associated ions (NO3-, K+) but not for ions that are rich in soils (SO42-, Ca2+, Mg2+), suggesting that agriculture enriched fertilizer-associated nutrients in streamwater. The watershed with the highest proportion of agricultural lands had higher concentrations of ions in rainfall and lower nutrient retention capacity (i.e. higher output–input ratio of ions) compared to the relatively pristine watershed, suggesting that agriculture can influence atmospheric deposition of nutrients and a system's ability to retain nutrients. Furthermore, we found that a forested watershed downstream of agricultural activities can dilute the concentrations of fertilizer-associated ions (NO3−, K+) in streamwater by more than 70%, indicating that specific landscape configurations help mitigate nutrient enrichment to aquatic systems. We estimated that agricultural lands at our study site contributed approximately 400 kg ha−1 yr−1 of NO3-N and 260 kg ha−1 yr−1 of PO4-P output via streamwater, an order of magnitude greater than previously reported around the globe and can only be matched by areas under intense fertilizer use. Furthermore, we re-constructed watershed nutrient fluxes to show that excessive leaching of N and P, and additional loss of N to the atmosphere via volatilization and denitrification, can occur under intense fertilizer use. In summary, this study demonstrated the pervasive impacts of agriculture activities, especially excessive fertilization, on ecosystem nutrient cycling at mountain watersheds.

scholarly journals The impact of anthropogenic activities on the physicochemical characteristics of Cheleleka peat, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 2751-2758
Author(s):  
Haymanot Tesfaye ◽  
Bikila Warkineh
Keyword(s):  
Ph Value ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
Water Diversion ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Maturity Level ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
The Impact

Cheleleka peatland is located at the eastern side of Lake Hawassa and its biological communities face a variety of anthropogenic factors such as agricultural expansion, water diversion, settlement and subsequent peatland drainage and peat extraction. The decomposing products were influenced by various anthropogenic activities. This study aims to identify the impact of human activities on peat characteristics. The result indicates that the peat soil is acidic having a pH value ranging from 4.1-to-4.7 and containing humic acid due to excessive accumulation of organic matter and nutrients. The maturity level of the peat was almost similar in all study sites, except for the Daka site, and are classified under mostly decomposed. At Wesha, Werka, Wendo, Shalo, Cheffe, and Wendo, sites the maturity of the peat was classified under sapric soil. Exceptionally, at Daka Site, the peat maturity level was hemic. The percentage of sand, clay, and silt of the peatland range 40-50% clay, 30-40% silt and 10-20% sandy. The mean organic carbon content of Cheleleka peatland ranged from 4.48 to 38.65% and positively correlated with the thickness of the peat and negatively correlated with the ash content of the peat. The main effects of unsustainable landuse practice on peatland are peat reduction/complete loss, reduce water and nutrient retention capacity due to drainage and compaction of peat due to overgrazing. Changes in drainage, vegetation cover, and extraction of peat had resulted in differing outcomes from decomposition processes, and the properties of peats on the disturbed sites had changed.

scholarly journals Effects of fresh and aged biochars from pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization on nutrient sorption in agricultural soils

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gronwald ◽  
A. Don ◽  
B. Tiemeyer ◽  
M. Helfrich
Keyword(s):  
Adsorption Capacity ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
Hydrothermal Carbonization ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Phosphate Retention ◽  
Ammonium Adsorption ◽  
Phosphate Leaching

Abstract. Leaching of nutrients from agricultural soils causes major environmental problems that may be reduced with biochar amendments to the soils. Biochars are characterised by a high adsorption capacity, i.e., they may retain nutrients such nitrate and ammonium. However, biochar properties strongly depend on feedstock and the production process. We investigated the nutrient retention capacity of biochars derived from pyrolysis (pyrochar) as well as from hydrothermal carbonization (hydrochar; produced at 200 and 250 °C) from three different feedstocks (digestates, Miscanthus, woodchips) mixed into different soil substrates (sandy loam and silty loam). Moreover, we investigated the influence of biochar degradation on its nutrient retention capacity using a seven-month in-situ field incubation of pyrochar and hydrochar. Pyrochars showed the highest ability to retain nitrate, ammonium and phosphate, with pyrochar from woodchips being particularly efficient in nitrate adsorption. Ammonium adsorption of pyrochars was controlled by the soil type of the soil-biochar mixture. We found some ammonium retention on sandy soils, but no pyrochar effect or even ammonium leaching from the loamy soil. The phosphate retention capacity of pyrochars strongly depended on the pyrochar feedstock with large phosphate leaching from digestate-derived pyrochar and some adsorption capacity from woodchip-derived pyrochar. Application of hydrochars to agricultural soils caused small, and often not significant, effects on nutrient retention. In contrast, some hydrochars did increase the leaching of nutrients compared to the non-amended control soil. We found a surprisingly rapid loss of the biochars' adsorption capacity after field application of the biochars. For all sites and for hydrochar and pyrochar, the adsorption capacity was reduced by 60–80% to less or no nitrate and ammonium adsorption. Thus, our results cast doubt on the efficiency of biochar applications to temperate zone soils to minimize nutrient losses via leaching.

scholarly journals Metabolite Profile and In Vitro Beneficial Effects of Black Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Methanol Extract

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2771
Author(s):  
Paola Bontempo ◽  
Paola Stiuso ◽  
Stefania Lama ◽  
Assunta Napolitano ◽  
Sonia Piacente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Allium Sativum ◽  
Methanol Extract ◽  
Metabolite Profile ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Food Ingredient ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
The Impact

Over the centuries, humans have traditionally used garlic (Allium sativum L.) as a food ingredient (spice) and remedy for many diseases. To confirm this, many extensive studies recognized the therapeutic effects of garlic bulbs. More recently, black garlic (BG), made by heat-ageing white garlic bulbs, has increased its popularity in cuisine and traditional medicine around the world, but there is still limited information on its composition and potential beneficial effects. In this study, the metabolite profile of methanol extract of BG (BGE) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in high-resolution mode. Results allowed to establish that BGE major components were sulfur derivatives, saccharides, peptides, organic acids, a phenylpropanoid derivative, saponins, and compounds typical of glycerophospholipid metabolism. Characterization of the BGE action in cancer cells revealed that antioxidant, metabolic, and hepatoprotective effects occur upon treatment as well as induction of maturation of acute myeloid leukemia cells. These results are interesting from the impact point of view of BG consumption as a functional food for potential prevention of metabolic and tumor diseases.

scholarly journals Effects of fresh and aged chars from pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization on nutrient sorption in agricultural soils

SOIL ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 475-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gronwald ◽  
A. Don ◽  
B. Tiemeyer ◽  
M. Helfrich
Keyword(s):  
Adsorption Capacity ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
Hydrothermal Carbonization ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Phosphate Retention ◽  
Ammonium Adsorption ◽  
Phosphate Leaching

Abstract. Leaching of nutrients from agricultural soils causes major environmental problems that may be reduced with amendments of chars derived from pyrolysis (pyrochars) or hydrothermal carbonization (hydrochars). Chars are characterized by a high adsorption capacity – i.e. they may retain nutrients such as nitrate and ammonium. However, the physicochemical properties of the chars and hence their sorption capacity likely depend on feedstock and the production process. We investigated the nutrient retention capacity of pyrochars and hydrochars from three different feedstocks (digestates, Miscanthus, woodchips) mixed into different soil substrates (sandy loam and silty loam). Moreover, we investigated the influence of char degradation on its nutrient retention capacity using a 7-month in situ field incubation of pyrochar and hydrochar mixed into soils at three different field sites. Pyrochars showed the highest ability to retain nitrate, ammonium and phosphate, with pyrochar from woodchips being particularly efficient in nitrate adsorption. Ammonium adsorption of pyrochars was controlled by the soil type of the soil–char mixture. We found some ammonium retention on sandy soils, but no pyrochar effect or even ammonium leaching from the loamy soil. The phosphate retention capacity of pyrochars strongly depended on the pyrochar feedstock with large phosphate leaching from digestate-derived pyrochar and some adsorption capacity from woodchip-derived pyrochar. Application of hydrochars to agricultural soils caused small, and often not significant, effects on nutrient retention. In contrast, some hydrochars did increase the leaching of nutrients compared to the non-amended control soil. We found a surprisingly rapid loss of the chars' adsorption capacity after field application of the chars. For all sites and for hydrochar and pyrochar, the adsorption capacity was reduced by 60–80 % to less or no nitrate and ammonium adsorption. Thus, our results cast doubt on the efficiency of char applications to temperate zone soils to minimize nutrient losses via leaching.

HBOT Application at Cases of Gingival Inflammation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilma Robo
Keyword(s):  
Root Resorption ◽  
Periodontal Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Gingival Inflammation ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Mechanical Therapy ◽  
The Impact

The treatment of periodontal diseases, mainly of their origin, with the most common clinical manifestation in form of gingival inflammation, is manifold and powerful, including: mechanical therapy, antibiotic, antiseptic and various approaches to treatment, which are recommended to be used within a short period of time. New therapeutic approaches have been proven as alternative treatment to conventional therapy, or in combination with conventional therapies, to reduce the number of periodontopathic pathogens in gingival sulcus. HBOT has a detrimental effect on periodontal microorganisms, as well as beneficial effects on the healing of periodontal tissue, increasing oxygen pressure in gingival pockets. Our study is aimed at reviewing the current published literature on hyperbaric oxygen therapy and focuses on role of HBOT as a therapeutic measure for the individual with periodontal disease in general and for the impact on the recovery of gingival inflammation. HBOT and periodontal treatment together, reduce up to 99% of the gram-negative anaerobic load of subgingival flora. HBOT, significantly reduces subgingival anaerobic flora. Clinical effects in 2-year follow-up of treated patients are sensitive. Reduction of gingival hemorrhage indexes, depth of peritoneum, plaque index, occurs in cases of combination of HBOT and detraction. Reduced load persists up to 2 months after therapy. The significant increase in connective tissue removal starts at the end of 2nd week, to achieve the maximum in week 3-6 of application. HBOT used for re-implantation, stimulates the healing of periodontal membrane, pulp, prevents root resorption, healing of periodontal lining tissues. HBOT, significantly reduces the hemorrhage index with 1.2 value difference, 0.7mm probe depth, reduces gingival fluid by 2. HGH exposure is increased by gingival blood flow, with a difference of 2 in measured value. The therapeutic effects of HBOT in the value of the evaluation index can be saved up to 1-year post treatment.

The Impact of Biochar on the Soil

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2197-2208
Author(s):  
Carmen Otilia Rusanescu ◽  
Erol Murad ◽  
Cosmin Jinescu ◽  
Marin Rusanescu
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Biomass Gasification ◽  
High Humidity ◽  
Agricultural Ecosystems ◽  
Productive Potential ◽  
Co2 Balance ◽  
Environmentally Sound ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Organic Resources

In the present paper are presented the experimental results of biomass gasification, the biochair was produced from vineyards by controlled pyrolysis at 750 �C, in order to increase the fertility of soils, it was found the increase of the fertility produced by the development of the vegetables in the soil to which was added biochar. Soil was added to soil 4 g/dm3 biochar, 8 g/dm3 biochar, the soil had no high humidity, was taken at a time when it had not rained for at least one week, the soil pH was 8, in the soil with 8 g/dm3 biochar the plants increased compared to the soil with 4 g/dm3 and the soil without biochar. The biochar resulting from pyrolysis and gasification processes is a valuable amendment to agricultural soils and an efficient and economical way to seize carbon. Using biochar it is possible to increase the diversity of agricultural land in an environmentally sound way in areas with depleted soils, limited organic resources and insufficient water for development. Helps to soil carbon sequestration with negative CO2 balance, increases the productive potential of agricultural ecosystems.

Simulation of the Impact of Higher Ammonia Recycle Loads Caused by Upgrading Anaerobic Sludge Digesters

2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy T. Kraemer ◽  
David M. Bagley
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Content Increase ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Treatment Train ◽  
Temperature Liquid ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Upgrading conventional single-stage mesophilic anaerobic digestion to an advanced digestion technology can increase sludge stability, reduce pathogen content, increase biogas production, and also increase ammonia concentrations recycled back to the liquid treatment train. Limited information is available to assess whether the higher ammonia recycle loads from an anaerobic sludge digestion upgrade would lead to higher discharge effluent ammonia concentrations. Biowin, a commercially available wastewater treatment plant simulation package, was used to predict the effects of anaerobic digestion upgrades on the liquid train performance, especially effluent ammonia concentrations. A factorial analysis indicated that the influent total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and influent alkalinity each had a 50-fold larger influence on the effluent NH3 concentration than either the ambient temperature, liquid train SRT or anaerobic digestion efficiency. Dynamic simulations indicated that the diurnal variation in effluent NH3 concentration was 9 times higher than the increase due to higher digester VSR. Higher recycle NH3 loads caused by upgrades to advanced digestion techniques can likely be adequately managed by scheduling dewatering to coincide with periods of low influent TKN load and ensuring sufficient alkalinity for nitrification.

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