Suitability of Wild Phragmites australis as Bio-Resource: Tissue Quality and Morphology of Populations from Three Continents

Franziska Eller, Xiao Guo, Siyuan Ye, Thomas J. Mozdzer and Hans Brix
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Franziska Eller: Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Alle 1, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Xiao Guo: College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
Siyuan Ye: Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Biogeosciences, China Geological Survey, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, CGS, MLR, Fuzhou Road 62, Qingdao 266071, China
Thomas J. Mozdzer: Bryn Mawr College, 101 N Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, USA
Hans Brix: Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Alle 1, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark

Resources, 2020, vol. 9, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: We collected and analyzed morphological characteristics and tissue nutrient concentrations of common reed ( Phragmites australis ) populations from Denmark, USA, and China, harvested late summer at the peak of the biomass production. The aim was to estimate the suitability of the biomass for different bioenergy purposes. The potential of reed as bioenergy feedstock is increasingly recognized, as the species already is utilized for construction, water purification, and pulp production. Our morphological data showed that biomass yield can be allometrically predicted to be high, especially in the reed populations of the US. However, no consistent pattern according to geographical origin was detected, and especially tissue nutrient concentrations varied within and between populations. Some mineral concentrations were above the desirable threshold for biocombustion, such as nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S). Iron (Fe) was higher than the critical toxicity concentration in many populations and hence, negatively correlated with morphological and growth traits. A different harvest time is likely to result in lower ion concentrations. Some populations had low C to N ratios, which are suitable for biomethane production, while the relatively low ash content of all populations (ranging from 3.9% to 8.5%) suggested a high heating value and theoretical energy potential. Reed biomass production is a promising alternative to fossil fuels and potentially suitable for other bio-based product. Improved knowledge is needed to examine local needs and application possibilities for reed biomass.

Keywords: biocombustion; biomethane; nutrient concentration; paludiculture; invasive reed (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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