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Application Method and Biochar Type Affect Petroleum Hydrocarbon Degradation in Northern Landfarms
Author(s) -
Karppinen Erin M.,
Siciliano Steven D.,
Stewart Katherine J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2017.01.0038
Subject(s) - biochar , amendment , fertilizer , environmental chemistry , chemistry , soil water , compost , hydrocarbon , soil conditioner , environmental science , agronomy , soil science , organic chemistry , pyrolysis , biology , political science , law
To integrate biochar as a practical and successful remedial amendment at northern landfarms, components of its formulation and application must be optimized for site‐specific environmental conditions. Different biochar amendments were applied to petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC)‐contaminated soil at two northern field sites (Iqaluit and Whitehorse) and in a laboratory study at −5°C to determine the effects of application method (injection or incorporation) and biochar type (wood, fishmeal, bonemeal, and/or compost) on PHC degradation and associated soil properties. Incorporation decreased F2 (equivalent n C 10 –C 16 ) and F3 (equivalent n C 16 –C 34 ) PHC concentrations in soil after 31 d, whereas injection did not decrease PHC concentrations until Day 334. Bonemeal‐derived biochar selectively stimulated F3‐PHC degradation in frozen soil over 90 d under controlled laboratory conditions. In the field, there was little difference in PHC degradation between biochar types and the fertilizer control. Incorporation also increased NO 3 − availability, and in field trials, all biochars increased NO 3 − availability relative to the fertilizer control, whereas the effects of biochars on NH 4 + and PO 4 3− were variable. Aromatic functional gene abundance was enhanced when treatments were incorporated, compared with when injected. In field trials, 6% Zakus wood plus fertilizer inhibited aliphatic and aromatic gene abundance. Liquid water content increased in incorporated treatments, specifically those amended with fishmeal biochar. Incorporation was the most successful application method for these northern soils, and although biochar amendments are not clearly effective in reducing PHC concentrations, there is evidence to suggest it can beneficially influence soil properties and PHC degradation under specific environmental conditions. Core Ideas Biochar was applied in field trials to assess petroleum hydrocarbon remediation potential. Incorporating soil amendments increased petroleum hydrocarbon degradation in northern soils. Bonemeal biochar enhanced petroleum hydrocarbon degradation under frozen conditions. Nitrate availability was increased in soils with biochar amendments. Liquid water content increased in incorporated treatments, specifically with biochar additions.