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Impact of biochar additions to nitrogen leaching in sand columns

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2015 ASABE Annual International Meeting  152189921.(doi:10.13031/aim.20152189921)
Authors:   A Bradley, R. A. Larson, T Runge
Keywords:   Nitrogen leaching, biochar, manure application.

Abstract. Leaching from manure applications, runoff, and other farmstead by-products can lead to significant groundwater concerns for nitrogen, specifically nitrates. Application of biochar to soils many have the potential to reduce the impact of nitrogen leaching to groundwater. This study evaluated the nitrogen leaching effects of repeated dairy manure application to sand soil columns amended with varying amounts of hybrid poplar biochar made by a slow pyrolysis process at 450°C. Increasing levels of biochar decreased overall leachate pH and cumulative levels of total nitrogen by 21 to 59%, nitrate by 17 to 46%, and ammonia by 46 to 90%. From a mass balance perspective the decrease in nitrogen leaching seems to correspond to an increase in nitrogen emissions from the columns. Additional data is currently being collected on the form of nitrogen in the emissions. The results from this study indicate that biochar amendments could be effective in reducing nitrogen leaching from sand soils and may be practical in small treatment systems.

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