Effects of Alkali-Activated Algae Biochar on Soil Improvement after Phosphorus Absorption: Efficiency and Mechanism

Yan-Ning Liu and Li-Yuan He
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Yan-Ning Liu: College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Li-Yuan He: College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-9

Abstract: Biochar is often used for the removal of phosphorus in wastewater. However, the improper treatment of adsorbed biochar might cause secondary pollution. In order to promote the recycling and harmless utilization of biochar with adsorbed phosphorus, a new modified biochar (ABC) was prepared from cyanobacteria in this study. The maximum adsorption capacity of ABC calculated from the Langmuir isotherm model was 38.17 mg·g −1 . ABC was used to absorb phosphorus in wastewater, whose product (ABC/P) was used for soil improvement and soybean cultivation. The results showed that adding the proper amount of ABC/P could significantly increase the pH of the soil (from 6.52 ± 0.04 to 7.49 ± 0.08), organic matter content (from 34.02 ± 0.41 to 47.05 ± 0.14 g·kg −1 ), cation exchange capacity (from 3.01 ± 0.18 to 3.76 ± 0.07 cmol·kg −1 ), water-holding capacity (from 28.78 ± 0.34 to 35.03 ± 0.31%), effective phosphorus content, and total phosphorus content. Meanwhile, the soil alkaline phosphatase activity was improved. The plant height, root length, and fresh quality were promoted by planting soybeans in ABC/P-improved soil and were better than those of the control group. Therefore, ABC/P, as a new type of phosphorus fertilizer, has the potential for soil amendment for legume crops.

Keywords: cyanobacteria; alkali-activated algae biochar; soil amendment; phosphorus; soybean cultivation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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