Effect of Wood Biochar Amendment to Sand on Leachate Water Quality
with Repeated Dairy Manure Application: A Soil Column Study
Alysa BradleyUW-Madison, WI
April 2, 2015
Presentation Outline Introduction
Experimental Design
Leachate Results
Retention Results
Conclusions
Limitations and Recommendations for Future Work
Introduction
Introduction
Biochar - a carbon-rich substance produced as a co-product by the thermal degradation of organic matter under a limited supply of oxygen.
Experimental Design: Biochar
• Hybrid poplar chips
• Slow pyrolysis at 450°C
• Applied at rates of 1, 2 and 5 % by weight.
Experimental Design: Soil columns
5% 2% 1% 0% C
Experimental Design: Leaching – Volume
– pH
– Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5)
– Nitrite (NO2)
– Nitrate+Nitrite (NO3+NO2)
– Total Phosphorous (TP)
– Total Nitrogen (TN)
– Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
– Ammonia
5% 2% 1% 0% C
Leachate Results: pH
Leachate Results: BOD5
Leachate Results: Cumulative TN
Leachate Results: Cumulative NO3
Leachate Results: NO3
Concentration
Leachate Results: Cumulative Ammonia
Leachate Results: Cumulative TP
Nutrient Retention Results: N
Nutrient Retention Results: TP
ConclusionsHybrid poplar biochar in sand:
• Increased leachate pH
• Decreased leachate BOD5
• Decreased leachate nitrogen
• Some increased TP in leachate
Limitations and Recommendations• Limitations• Simulated precipitation• Relatively constant temperature• No plantings• No measured soil emissions
• Recommendations• N cycling and mechanisms for change• Effect on emissions and crop yields• Field trials• Alternative application strategies
Questions?