Soil Enzyme Activities in Waste Biochar Amended Multi-Metal Contaminated Soil; Effect of Different Pyrolysis Temperatures and Application Rates

Meththika Vithanage, Tharanga Bandara, Mohammad I. Al-Wabel, Adel Abduljabbar, Adel R.A. Usman, Mahtab Ahmad, Yong Sik Ok

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Woody biochars derived by pyrolyzing Gliricidia sepium at 300°C and 500°C and a waste byproduct of same biomass from a bioenergy industry (BC700) were tested for their effect on soil enzymes activities and available form of heavy metals in multi-metals contaminated soil. Pot experiments were conducted during 6 weeks with tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) at biochar application rates, 1, 2.5, and 5% (w/w). A reduction in polyphenol oxidase with biochars produced at increasing pyrolysis temperature compared to the control whereas the maximum activity of dehydrogenase and catalase was observed in 1% BC500 and 2.5% BC300, respectively. Soil available form of Ni, Mn, and Cr were reduced by 55, 70% and 80% in 5% BC700 amended soil, respectively. The highest geometric mean of enzyme activities was observed in 2.5% BC300 treatment. Overall the application of high dosages of high temperature derived biochar masks/deteriorates soil enzyme activities but immobilizes bioavailable heavy metals and reduces toxicity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)635-643
Number of pages9
JournalCommunications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
Volume49
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Mar 2018
Externally publishedYes

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