Adsorption removal of roxarsone, arsenite(Ⅲ),and arsenate(Ⅴ) using iron-modified sorghum straw biochar and its kinetics

Arsenic(As)contamination in groundwater is a major problem in many countries,which causes serious health issues.In this paper,a novel method has been developed for the simultaneous removal of ROX and As(Ⅲ/Ⅴ)using the modified sorghum straw biochar(MSSB).The MSSB was characterized by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,Fourier Transform Infrared,and Brunauer–Emmet–Teller(BET)surface area.The removal performance of MSSB for ROX,arsenite[As(Ⅲ)],and arsenate(As(Ⅴ))was investigated using batch experiments.At pH of 5,the arsenic concentration of 1.0 mg/L,adsorbent dose of 1.0 g/L,the maximum adsorptioncapacities of ROX,As(Ⅲ),and As(Ⅴ)were 12.4,5.3,and 23.0 mg/g,respectively.The adsorption behaviors were fit well with the Langmuir and the pseudo-second-order rate model.The results showed that MSSB acted as a highly effective adsorbent to simultaneously remove the composite pollution system consisted of ROX and As(Ⅲ/Ⅴ)in aqueous solutions,providing a promising method in environmental restoration applications.

Effect of Rice Straw Biochar on Soil Quality and the Early Growth and Biomass Yield of Two Rice Varieties

Sustainable rice production in Sierra Leone faces serious constraints due to soil acidity, low cation exchange capacity, low nutrient contents accelerated mineralization of soil organic matter and soil loss by erosion (particularly on the uplands). One possible approach to addressing the soil constraints to rice production both on uplands and lowlands of Sierra Leone is the recycling of rice residues through biochar production and application to soils. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of application of biochar from rice residues on (i) soil physicochemical properties and (ii) the early growth characteristics of two rice varieties, NERICA L19 and ROK3. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with two biochar levels (0 and 15 g/kg soil) and two rice varieties in three replications. For the biochar treated soils (+biochar), 75 g rice straw biochar was applied to 5 kg air-dry soil (15 kg biochar/kg soil), mixed thoroughly and placed into perforated black polythene bags. Seeds of two rice varieties, NERICA L19 and ROK3 were planted on the treated and untreated soils for eight weeks. Application of biochar improved available phosphorus, exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity in biochar treated soils compared to the control soil without biochar. Plant height, tiller number, and dry biomass weight of both rice varieties grown in soils amended with rice straw biochar were significantly higher than those on untreated soils. The most remarkable increase in plant growth characteristics as a result of biochar addition to soil was reflected in the biomass yield and tiller numbers. Dry shoot biomass for ROK3 rice variety varied significantly from a mean of 3.5 g (control) to 26.2 g (+biochar) while tiller numbers significantly varied from 10 (control) to 29.6 (+biochar). Similarly, for NERICA L19 rice variety, dry shoot biomass increased significantly from 4.5 g (control) to 22.7 g (+biochar) while tiller numbers increased significantly from a mean of 12.3 (control) to 30 (+biochar). Thus converting rice residues to biochar and applying to soil holds promise for improving rice production in Sierra Leone.

Effects of Rice Straw and Its Biochar Addition on Soil Labile Carbon and Soil Organic Carbon

Whether the biochar amendment could affect soil organic matter （SOM） turnover and hence soil carbon （C） stock remains poorly understood. Effects of the addition of ^13C-labelled rice straw or its pyrolysed biochar at 250 or 350℃ to a sugarcane soil （Ferrosol） on soil labile C （dissolved organic C, DOC; microbial biomass C, MBC; and mineralizable C, MC） and soil organic C （SOC） were investigated after 112 d of laboratory incubation at 25℃. Four treatments were examined as （1） the control soil without amendment （Soil）; （2） soil plus ^13C-labelled rice straw （Soil＋Straw）; （3） soil plus 250℃ biochar （Soil＋B250） and （4） soil plus 350℃biochar （Soil＋B350）. Compared to un-pyrolysed straw, biochars generally had an increased aryl C, carboxyl C, C and nitrogen concentrations, a decreased O-alkyl C and C：N ratio, but similar alkyl C and δ^13C （1 742- 1 877 %）. Among treatments, significant higher DOC, MBC and MC derived from the new C （straw or biochar） ranked as Soil＋Straw〉Soil＋B250〉Soil＋B350, whilst significant higher SOC from the new C as Soil＋B250〉Soil＋Straw≈Soil＋B350. Compared to Soil, DOC and MBC derived from the native soil were decreased under straw or biochar addition, whilst MC from the native soil was increased under straw addition but decreased under biochar addition. Meanwhile, native SOC was similar among the treatments, irrespective of the straw or biochar addition. Compared to Soil, significant higher total DOC and total MBC were under Soil＋Straw, but not under Soil＋B250 and Soil＋B350, whilst significant higher total MC and total SOC were under straw or biochar addition, except for MC under Soil＋B350. Our results demonstrated that the application of biochar to soil may be an appropriate management practice for increasing soil C storage.

Development of the straw biochar returning concept in China

Biochar produced from straw has been shown to improve soil physicochemical properties.This review introduces the fundamental concepts,the broad applications,and underlying theory of straw biochar returning.Current developments in biochar industry and the production practices prevalent among enterprises in China are critiques.This review analyzes current knowledge gaps,challenges,and opportunities in the industrial application of straw biochar returning.Biochar standards,the quantitative and qualitative analysis methods for biochar,and high-value-added products that are based on biochar are critically examined with goal of providing recommendations for future studies.We propose production and modification of biochar that is application oriented to enhance its fitness for purpose as well as long-term and large-space-scale field study to better understand its impact on soil properties and ecotoxicology.Finally,we make prospects for the future development of SBR,including constructing a standard system about straw biochar returning and promoting self-discipline of biochar industry and the establishment of a biochar-based agricultural production model.

Insights on mechanisms of aluminum phytotoxicity mitigation by canola straw biochars from different regions

To better understand the amendment effects and mechanisms of aluminum(Al(Ⅲ))phytotoxicity mitigation by differ-ent regional crop straw biochars,wheat seedling root elongation trials were conducted.The contributions of liming effect,oxygen-containing surface functional group adsorption,and oxyanions precipitation to Al(Ⅲ)phytotoxicity mitigation by Ca(OH)_(2),pristine and ash-free canola straw biochar were evaluated.The results indicated that biochars derived from canola straw collected from four different regions(Yingtan,Xuancheng,Nanjing,and Huaiyin)caused 22-70%wheat seedling root elongation,which might be linked to liming effect.Incorporation of the corresponding ash-free biochars caused 15-30%elongation,which could be attributed to the surface functional group adsorption.About 0-60%of changes could be explained by Al(Ⅲ)precipitation with inorganic oxyanions.These findings provide new insights into the physicochemical properties,potential applications,efficiencies,and underlying mechanisms of crop straw biochar in alleviating Al(Ⅲ)phytotoxicity,which is dependent on the cultivation soil,and indicate similar application of crop straw biochar for acidic soil amelioration,contaminated soil remediation,and arable soil improvement.

Effects of different C/N ratios on the maturity and microbial quantity of composting with sesame meal and rice straw biochar

The purpose of this paper was to study the effects of different C/N ratios on the maturity and microbial quantity of com-posting with sesame meal and rice straw biochar.Rice straw was calcined into biochar as raw materials composting with sesame meal for 30 days,referring to Chenfu Agricultural Book in Sōuthern Song Dynasty(1127-1279 A.D.).Sesame meal was used to adjust the C/N ratio of compost,and three treatments were designed in the experiment,which were C/N ratios of 15,20 and 30,respectively.The results showed that C/N ratio of 20 was beneficial for promoting the temperature rise,the removal of water,the degradation of organic carbon,and the decrease of microbial quantity.The C/N ratio of 20 was beneficial to the compost maturity(T value was 0.47,final GI was 99.67%).The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that C/N ratio was positively correlated with moisture content,total organic carbon and negatively correlated with germination index,indicating that high C/N ratio was beneficial to water removal and total organic carbon degradation.Therefore,we suggest that the suitable C/N ratio of rice straw biochar and sesame meal is 20.At the same time,we have proved that the composting method in Southern Song Dynasty is feasible,which is of great significance to understand the development of composting in China.

Steam explosion of crop straws improves the characteristics of biochar as a soil amendment

Five crop straws (wheat, rice, maize, oil-rape, and cotton) were first steam-exploded for 2 min at 210℃, 2.5 MPa and then pyrolyzed at 500℃ for 2 h. Steam explosion (SE) induced 47–95% and 5–16% reduction of hemicellulose and cellulose, respectively, in the crop straws. The biochars derived from SE-treated feedstocks had a lower specific surface area (SSA) and pore volume, compared to those from pristine feedstocks, with one exception that SE enhanced SSA of oil-rape straw biochar by approximately 16 times. After SE, biochars had significant higher anion exchange capacity (AEC) (6.88–11.44 cmol kg–1) and point of zero net charges (PZNC) (pH 3.61–5.32) values. It can thus be speculated that these biochars may have higher potential for anions adsorption. In addition, oil-rape straw might be suitable to SE pretreatment for preparing biochar as a soil amendment and sorbent as well. Further work is required for testing its application in soil.

Effects of straw and biochar addition on soil nitrogen,carbon,and super rice yield in cold waterlogged paddy soils of North China

The additions of straw and biochar have been suggested to increase soil fertility, carbon sequestration, and crop produc- tivity of agricultural lands. To our knowledge, there is little information on the effects of straw and biochar addition on soil nitrogen form, carbon storage, and super rice yield in cold waterlogged paddy soils. We performed field trials with four treatments including conventional fertilization system （CK）, straw amendment 6 t ha^-1 （S）, biochar amendment 2 t ha^-1 （C1）, and biochar amendment 40 t ha^-1 （C2）. The super japonica rice variety, Shennong 265, was selected as the test Crop. The results showed that the straw and biochar amendments improved total nitrogen and organic carbon content of the soil, reduced N2O emissions, and had little influence on nitrogen retention, nitrogen density, and CO2 emissions. The S and C1 increased NH4^＋-N content, and C2 increased NO3^--N content. Both S and C1 had little influence on soil organic carbon density （SOCD） and C/N ratio. However, C2 greatly increased SOCD and C/N ratio. C1 and C2 significantly improved the soil carbon sequestration （SCS） by 62.9 and 214.0% （P〈0.05）, respectively, while S had no influence on SCS. C1 and C2 maintained the stability of super rice yield, and significantly reduced CH4 emissions, global warming potential （GWP）, and greenhouse gas intensity （GHGI）, whereas S had the opposite and negative effects. In summary, the biochar amendments in cold waterlogged paddy soils of North China increased soil nitrogen and carbon content, improved soil carbon sequestration, and reduced GHG emission without affecting the yield of super rice.

Effect of Crop-Straw Derived Biochars on Pb(Ⅱ) Adsorption in Two Variable Charge Soils

Two variable charge soils were incubated with biochars derived from straws of peanut, soybean, canola, and rice to investigate the effect of the biochars on their chemical properties and Pb（II） adsorption using batch experiments. The results showed soil cation exchange capacity （CEC） and pH significantly increased after 30 d of incubation with the biochars added. The incorporation of the biochars markedly increased the adsorption of Pb（II）, and both the electrostatic and non-electrostatic adsorption mechanisms contributed to Pb（II） adsorption by the variable charge soils. Adsorption isotherms illustrated legume- straw derived biochars more greatly increased Pb（II） adsorption on soils through the non-electrostatic mechanism via the formation of surface complexes between Pb（II） and acid functional groups of the biochars than did non-legume straw biochars. The adsorption capacity of Pb（II） increased, while the desorption amount slightly decreased with the increasing suspension pH for the studied soils, especially in a high suspension pH, indicating that precipitation also plays an important role in immobilizing Pb（II） to the soils.

Effects on soil quality of biochar and straw amendment in conjunction with chemical fertilizers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects on chemical and microbiological properties of paddy soil of short-term biochar,straw,and chemical fertilizers compared with chemical fertilization alone.Five soil fertilization treatments were evaluated：regular chemical fertilizers（RF）,straw＋regular chemical fertilizers（SRF）,straw biochar＋regular chemical fertilizers（SCRF）,bamboo biochar（BC）＋regular chemical fertilizers（BCRF）,and straw biochar＋70%regular chemical fertilizers（SC＋70%RF）.Their effects were investigated after approximately 1.5 years.The soil p H and cation exchange capacity（CEC）were significantly higher in biochar-treated soils.The soil phosphorous（P）and potassium（K）contents increased with biochar application.The soil Colwell P content was significantly increased with the addition of straw biochar in the treatments of SCRF and SC＋70%RF.The oxygen（O）：carbon（C）ratio doubled in BC picked from the soil.This indicated that BC underwent a significant oxidation process in the soil.The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis（DGGE）fingerprints of microbial communities differed among the treatments.Soils with added biochar had higher Shannon diversity and species richness indices than soils without biochars.The results suggest that biochar can improve soil fertility.

Simultaneous removal of cadmium and sulfamethoxazole from aqueous solution by rice straw biochar

The simultaneous sorption behavior and characteristics of cadmium (Cd) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on rice straw biochar were investigated. Isotherms of Cd and SMX were well modeled by the Langmuir equation (R2 >0.95). The calculated maximum adsorption parameter (Q) of Cd was similar in single and binary systems (34129.69 and 35919.54 mg/kg, respectively). However, the Q of SMX in a binary system (9182.74 mg/kg) was much higher than that in a single system (1827.82 mg/kg). The presence of Cd significantly promoted the sorption of SMX on rice straw biochar. When the pH ranged from 3 to 7.5, the sorption of Cd had the characteristics of a parabola pattern with maximum adsorption at pH 5, while the adsorption quantity of SMX decreased with increasing pH, with maximum adsorption at pH 3. The amount of SMX adsorbed on biochar was positively correlated with the surface area of the biochar, and the maximum adsorption occurred with d 250 biochar (biochar with a diameter of 150-250 μm). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that the removal of Cd and SMX by rice straw biochar may be attributed to precipitation and the formation of surface complexes between Cd or SMX and carboxyl or hydroxyl groups. The results of this study indicate that rice straw biochar has the potential for simultaneous removal of Cd and SMX from co-contaminated water.

连续式生物质热解炭化设备设计与试验

针对现有生物质热解炭化设备生产效率低、设备运行不稳定、生产连续性差及需引用外部热源加热致使耗能高等问题,采用热解可燃气回燃利用方案,设计了一种双筒回转连续式生物质热解炭化设备。详细介绍了生物质热解炭化设备的结构和工作原理,并进行热解炭化试验测试。试验表明,热解温度450℃、物料平均滞留时间30 min时,生物质热解炭化设备纯小时生产率103.8kg/h、生物炭得率34.6%和出炭温度47℃,各项性能指标均达到设计要求,可实现连续运行生产生物炭。

镁硅改性烟秆炭吸附特性和能力研究

【目的】研究镁硅改性烟秆炭吸附特性和能力,解决水体中过量的氮和磷造成的水体富营养化,并实现废弃生物质烟草秸秆的资源化利用。【方法】将烟草秸秆通过热解制备烟秆生物炭,再由MgCl 2和Na 2 SiO 3对其浸渍改性,用于吸附水体中的氮、磷并研究其吸附特性。【结果】改性后烟秆炭对氮和磷的吸附量分别为4.26和37.93 mg·g-1,分别是改性前的5和11.6倍;改性后烟秆炭镁、硅含量分别是改性前的26.5和4.5倍;烟秆炭的BET测定结果表明,改性提高了烟秆炭的比表面积和平均孔径,孔隙结构更加发达;改性后的烟秆炭出现新的衍射峰,改性引入了新的表面官能团。改性烟秆炭在中性或弱碱性环境下对氮具有较高的吸附能力,吸附磷的pH值范围相对较宽。改性烟秆炭对氮和磷的吸附过程分别符合颗粒内扩散和准二级动力学方程,吸附方式主要为化学吸附;吸附类型均符合Langmuir模型,为单分子层吸附;改性烟秆炭在双溶质溶液中对氮、磷的吸附量相比在单溶质溶液中有显著提升,说明氮和磷在水中共存时对烟秆炭吸附产生协同作用。【结论】镁硅改性烟秆生物炭可以高效去除水体中的氮和磷,是一种高效除氮磷吸附剂。

旱作农田覆膜和秸秆碳投入对土壤团聚特性及作物产量的影响

研究秸秆还田形式对旱作覆膜农田土壤团聚特性、有机碳含量及玉米产量的影响,为优化覆膜耕作措施,实现旱作覆膜农田可持续性生产提供理论依据。以长期定位旱作玉米覆膜农田(始于2012年)为研究对象,设置双垄沟覆膜(P)和传统平作(T),分别施加秸秆(S)和生物质炭(C),以不还田为对照(N),共形成6个处理:覆膜秸秆还田(PS)、覆膜生物质炭还田(PC)、覆膜不还田(PN)、平作秸秆还田(TS)、平作生物质炭还田(TC)和平作不还田(TN)。测定土壤团聚体组成及团聚体有机碳含量,并分析了双垄沟覆膜和不同秸秆碳投入对土壤有机碳含量、团聚体稳定性及玉米产量的影响。研究结果表明,各秸秆还田处理较不还田处理均可显著(P<0.05)改善各粒级团聚体分布及其稳定性,其中>0.25mm团聚体含量平均显著(P<0.05)提高47.32%,各双垄沟覆膜处理MWD和GMD较平作处理分别平均提高9.19%和4.15%;各还田处理可显著(P<0.05)提高0~60 cm土层土壤有机碳含量,其中PC和TC处理分别较对应PS和TS处理土壤有机碳含量提高2.60%和2.73%;各处理团聚体有机碳含量均随粒径增大而增大,秸秆碳投入可显著(P<0.05)提高各粒级团聚体有机碳含量,而双垄沟覆膜处理则降低了土壤有机碳及团聚体有机碳含量;还田方式、种植方式及土壤有机碳对玉米产量有促进作用,施加秸秆及生物质炭均能显著(P<0.05)提高旱作覆膜农田玉米产量,平均提高14.6%,而秸秆直接还田处理与生物质炭还田处理的增产效果无显著差异。综合分析,在双垄沟覆膜条件下投入秸秆碳能够明显提高土壤稳定性、土壤有机碳含量和作物产量,其中,双垄沟覆膜与生物质炭还田的耦合效应对改善农田土壤质量及地力提升有积极作用。

高岭土-尿素改性玉米秸秆生物炭去除污水中COD研究

以固体废弃物资源玉米秸秆为原料,并使用尿素与高岭土对其进行化学改性,通过管式炉高温制备改性玉米秸秆生物炭(NKBC),该材料制备工艺简便,成本低,对环境友好。研究了NKBC对污水中化学需氧量(COD)的吸附性能,包括吸附等温线、吸附动力学等。结果表明:NKBC对COD的吸附平衡投料量为0.50g/L,去除率为68%~70%,吸附平衡时间为1h,且pH对NKBC去除COD影响较小。通过分析可知,此吸附拟合模型遵循Langmuir模型与Freundlich模型以及准二级动力学模型,说明NKBC的吸附过程既涉及单层吸附,又涉及多层吸附。循环使用5次后,NKBC对COD的去除率依然保持在较高水平。实验证明,NKBC具有出色的去除和循环性能。

紫云英及氮肥减量下配施生物质炭对土壤理化性质和水稻产量的影响

【目的】为减少化学氮肥的使用,通过盆栽试验探究在紫云英还田条件下,氮肥减量配施生物质炭对稻田土壤养分提升、水稻增产的作用,旨在明确在紫云英替代部分氮肥的基础上,更有利于培肥和增产的最佳减氮量和生物质炭添加比例,以期为实际生产应用提供科学依据。【方法】采用双因素水稻盆栽试验,以冬闲+常规施肥(CK)为空白对照,设置了4个(0.25%、0.5%、1%、2%)生物质炭添加比例,在追肥时设置3个(减氮10%、减氮20%、减氮30%)减氮比例,共设置13个处理组合,每个处理重复4次,共计52盆,生长周期120 d,水稻成熟后比较各处理对土壤理化性质及水稻产量、性状的影响。【结果】在紫云英还田下,减氮30%配施2.0%生物质炭显著提高了土壤pH(P<0.01)与CK相比提高了12.02%;减氮20%配施2.0%生物质炭对土壤有机质(SOM)、有效磷(AP)、速效钾(AK)含量均具有极显著提升作用(P<0.01),显著提升了土壤全氮含量(P<0.05),比CK分别增加了38.8%、107.2%、25.4%、24.9%;减氮20%配施0.5%生物质炭时碱解氮含量显著提升了49.6%(P<0.01)。紫云英还田下减氮30%配施1.0%生物质炭时产量最高,与CK相比分别显著增产18.7%(P<0.01)。施加低量生物质炭(0.25%生物质炭)更有利于水稻地上部生物量积累,比CK显著增加了90.04%(P<0.01)。相关性分析表明,土壤有机质、有效磷、速效钾是提升水稻产量的主要土壤环境因子(P<0.05、r>0.5)。【结论】紫云英、氮肥减量及生物质炭联合施用的培肥增产效果显著,紫云英还田下减氮20%配施2.0%生物质炭更有利于提升稻田土壤养分含量,减少氮素流失,促进水稻生长增产,但施加过量生物质炭对水稻产量及生物量具有一定的抑制作用,在追肥时减氮30%配施1.0%生物质炭对水稻增产效果最佳。

生物炭与厌氧发酵条件对秸秆乙醇-甲烷联产效果的影响

为解决秸秆乙醇发酵中半纤维素利用不充分、乙醇产率低、秸秆沼气发酵不完全、秸秆能源转换率低等诸多问题,开展秸秆乙醇-甲烷联产技术研究。通过添加外源生物炭研究秸秆发酵产乙醇效果,并以乙醇发酵残余物为底物,研究不同发酵温度及pH值对秸秆甲烷产率的影响。实验结果表明,在玉米秸秆炭的促进作用下,秸秆产乙醇效果较好,乙醇浓度达1.99 mg·mL^(-1);厌氧发酵温度为55℃(pH值7.5)时,玉米秸秆醇烷转化率最大,每克干秸秆可产0.0663 g乙醇、0.1409 g甲烷,能量转化率达到51.25%,比对照组提高13.57%。通过生物炭偶联乙醇-甲烷联产技术可显著提高秸秆能源转化率,为玉米秸秆组分多级利用提供理论参考。

改性汉麻秸秆炭吸附亚甲基蓝性能研究

以汉麻秸秆为原料,分别以NaOH、NaHCO_(3)、NaCl作为改性剂制备了3种改性汉麻秸秆生物炭,研究了其对亚甲基蓝的吸附效果,考察了改性剂种类、添加量、pH值、吸附时间、吸附温度、金属离子等因素对改性汉麻秸秆炭吸附水溶液中亚甲基蓝的影响。结果表明,NaHCO_(3)改性的汉麻秸秆炭对水中亚甲基蓝的去除效果最好,在100 mL的10 mg·L^(-1)亚甲基蓝水溶液中加入150 mg吸附剂,氯化钠浓度为0.2 mol·L^(-1),pH=8,40℃下吸附90 min,水中亚甲基蓝去除率可达95.35%。

秸秆生物炭的固碳减排潜力及其环境影响

以最为普遍的慢速热解得到的秸秆生物炭作为研究对象,生物炭施用土壤为应用场景,利用全生命周期评价方法对生物炭在固碳封存过程中的固碳潜力和环境危害潜势进行了探讨与分析.结果表明,每年1t秸秆生物炭的制备及应用(秸秆生物炭系统)可减少二氧化碳当量(CO_(2e))排放5.50×10^(3)kg,封存CO_(2e)约5.53×10^(3)kg,对温室气体减排具有较为显著作用.在环境危害潜势上,秸秆生物炭系统有效地缓解了非生物耗竭潜势(-5.15×10^(-5)kgSb_(e))和富营养化潜势(-5.35×10^(-3)kg PO_(4)^(3-)e),而对酸化潜势(0.0576kgSO_(2e))、臭氧层耗竭潜势(8.28×10^(-14)kgR_(11e))、光化学氧化潜势(7.38kg C_(2)H_(4)e)和人体毒性潜势(2.01kgDCB_(e))产生了负面影响,但影响有限.

Soil N transformation and microbial community structure as affected by adding biochar to a paddy soil of subtropical China

We have had little understanding on the effects of different types and quantities of biochar amendment on soil N transformation process and the microbial properties. In this study, various biochars were produced from straw residues and wood chips, and then added separately to a paddy soil at rates of 0.5, 1 and 2% （w/w）. The effects of biochar application on soil net N mineralization and nitrification processes, chemical and microbial properties were examined in the laboratory experiment. After 135 d of incubation, addition of straw biochars increased soil pH to larger extent than wood biochars. The biochar-amended soils had 37.7, 7.3 and 227.6% more soil organic carbon （SOC）, available P and K contents, respectively, than the control soil. The rates of net N mineralization and nitrification increased significantly as biochars quantity rose, and straw biochars had greater effect on N transformation rate than wood biochars. Soil microbial biomass carbon increased by 14.8, 45.5 and 62.5% relative to the control when 0.5, 1 and 2% biochars （both straw- and wood-derived biochars）, respectively, were added. Moreover, biochars amendments significantly enhanced the concentrations of phospholipid fatty acids （PLFAs）, as the general bacteria abundance increased by 161.0% on average. Multivariate analysis suggested that the three rice straw biochar （RB） application levels induced different changes in soil microbial community structure, but there was no significant difference between RB and masson pine biochar （MB） until the application rate reached 2%. Our results showed that biochars amendment can increase soil nutrient content, affect the N transformation process, and alter soil microbial properties, all of which are biochar type and quantity dependent. Therefore, addition of biochars to soil may be an appropriate way to disposal waste and improve soil quality, while the biochar type and addition rate should be taken into consideration before its large-scale application in agro-ecosystem.