Biochars are known for their heterogeneity, especially in pore and surface structure associated with pyrolysis processes and sources of feedstocks. The surface area of biochar is likely to be an important determinant ...Biochars are known for their heterogeneity, especially in pore and surface structure associated with pyrolysis processes and sources of feedstocks. The surface area of biochar is likely to be an important determinant of the extent of soil microbial attachment, whereas the porous structure of biochar is expected to provide protection for soil microorganisms. Potential interactions between biochars from different sources and with different particle sizes were investigated in relation to soil microbial properties in a short-term incubation study. Three particle size （sieved） fractions （0.5-1.0, 1.0-2.0 and 2.0-4.0 mm） from three woody biochars produced from jarrah wood, jarrah and wandoo wood and Australian wattle branches, respectively, were incubated in soil at 25 ℃ for 56 d. Observation by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and characterisation of pore and surface area showed that all three woody biochars provided potential habitats for soil microorganisms due to their high porosity and surface areas. The biochars were structurally heterogeneous, varying in porosity and surface structure both within and between the biochar sources. After the 56-d incubation, hyphal colonisation was observed on biochar surfaces and in larger biochar pores. Soil clumping occurred on biochar particles, cementing and covering exposed biochar pores. This may have altered surface area and pore availability for microbial colonisation. Transient changes in soil microbial biomass, without a consistent trend, were observed among biochars during the 56-d incubation.展开更多
Soils in south-western Australia are highly weathered and deficient in nutrients for agricultural production. Addition of biochar has been suggested as a mean of improving soil C storage, texture and nutrient retentio...Soils in south-western Australia are highly weathered and deficient in nutrients for agricultural production. Addition of biochar has been suggested as a mean of improving soil C storage, texture and nutrient retention of these soils. Clay amendment in sandy soils in this region is a management practice used to improve soil conditions, including water repellence. In this study a woody biochar(Simcoa biochar) was characterised using scanning electron microscopy before, and four weeks after, it was incorporated into each of four soils differing in clay content and organic matter. Scanning electron microscopy of Simcoa biochar after incubation in soil showed different degrees of attachment of soil particles to the biochar surfaces after 28 d. In addition, the effects of three biochars, Simcoa biochar, activated biochar and Wundowie biochar, on soil microbial biomass C and soil respiration were investigated in a short-term incubation experiment. It was hypothesised that all three biochars would have greater potential to increase soil microbial activity in the soil that had higher organic matter and clay. After 28-d incubation in soil, all three biochars had led to a higher microbial biomass C in the clayey soil, but prior to this time, less marked differences were observed in microbial biomass C among the four soils following biochar application.展开更多
文摘Biochars are known for their heterogeneity, especially in pore and surface structure associated with pyrolysis processes and sources of feedstocks. The surface area of biochar is likely to be an important determinant of the extent of soil microbial attachment, whereas the porous structure of biochar is expected to provide protection for soil microorganisms. Potential interactions between biochars from different sources and with different particle sizes were investigated in relation to soil microbial properties in a short-term incubation study. Three particle size （sieved） fractions （0.5-1.0, 1.0-2.0 and 2.0-4.0 mm） from three woody biochars produced from jarrah wood, jarrah and wandoo wood and Australian wattle branches, respectively, were incubated in soil at 25 ℃ for 56 d. Observation by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and characterisation of pore and surface area showed that all three woody biochars provided potential habitats for soil microorganisms due to their high porosity and surface areas. The biochars were structurally heterogeneous, varying in porosity and surface structure both within and between the biochar sources. After the 56-d incubation, hyphal colonisation was observed on biochar surfaces and in larger biochar pores. Soil clumping occurred on biochar particles, cementing and covering exposed biochar pores. This may have altered surface area and pore availability for microbial colonisation. Transient changes in soil microbial biomass, without a consistent trend, were observed among biochars during the 56-d incubation.
文摘Soils in south-western Australia are highly weathered and deficient in nutrients for agricultural production. Addition of biochar has been suggested as a mean of improving soil C storage, texture and nutrient retention of these soils. Clay amendment in sandy soils in this region is a management practice used to improve soil conditions, including water repellence. In this study a woody biochar(Simcoa biochar) was characterised using scanning electron microscopy before, and four weeks after, it was incorporated into each of four soils differing in clay content and organic matter. Scanning electron microscopy of Simcoa biochar after incubation in soil showed different degrees of attachment of soil particles to the biochar surfaces after 28 d. In addition, the effects of three biochars, Simcoa biochar, activated biochar and Wundowie biochar, on soil microbial biomass C and soil respiration were investigated in a short-term incubation experiment. It was hypothesised that all three biochars would have greater potential to increase soil microbial activity in the soil that had higher organic matter and clay. After 28-d incubation in soil, all three biochars had led to a higher microbial biomass C in the clayey soil, but prior to this time, less marked differences were observed in microbial biomass C among the four soils following biochar application.
