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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #350473
Research Project: Improvement of Soil Management Practices and Manure Treatment/Handling Systems of the Southern Coastal Plain

Location: Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research

Title: Biochar utilization for soil quality improvement, greenhouse gas reduction, metal and nutrient sequestration

Author
item Novak, Jeffrey
item Sigua, Gilbert
item IPPOLITO, JAMES A - Colorado State University
item Lentz, Rodrick
item Van Pelt, Robert - Scott
item Spokas, Kurt
item Sistani, Karamat
item Collins, Harold
item JOHNSON, MARK - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
item PANTUCK, KEN - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Submitted to: U.S. Biochar Initiative Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2018
Publication Date: 8/20/2018
Citation: Novak, J.M., Sigua, G.C., Ippolito, J., Lentz, R.D., Van Pelt, R.S., Spokas, K.A., Sistani, K.R., Collins, H.P., Johnson, M.G., Pantuck, K. 2018. Biochar utilization for soil quality improvement, greenhouse gas reduction, metal and nutrient sequestration. U.S. Biochar Initiative Conference. p.13.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Biochar is under intensive evaluation by United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) scientists and cooperators for its many roles, such as an amendment to improve soil fertility, hydraulic properties, greenhouse gas reductions, and to sequester metals and plant nutrients in waste streams. In our laboratory, greenhouse and field evaluations, biochar amendments can effectively improve fertility of nutrient poor soils, increase hydraulic conductivities of hard setting soil layers, decrease nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, and sorb dissolved copper and phosphorus in waste streams. Our research has shown that a biochar’s performance can be enhanced when characteristics of the biochar are specifically tailored or designed for the intended use. Currently, biochars are being designed by adding activating agents to manure and plant-based feedstocks or adjusting pyrolysis temperatures to create biochars capable of binding dissolved phosphorus in manure waste effluents and heavy metals in mine spoils. This presentation will highlight different biochar research projects and will discuss results produced by scientists from several USDA-ARS locations and collaborative projects with university and United States Environmental Protection Agency researchers.