Biochar hydrological characteristics in related to branch wood properties

Abstract

Branch wood possesses unique properties that may affect biochar characteristics. Despite the abundance of broad studies on biochar, the correlation between feedstock properties and biochar hydrological characteristics has yet to be elucidated. Therefore, in this work the tree branch wood properties of three feedstocks (Acacia gerrardii Benth., Tamarix aphylla (L.) H. Karst., and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn.) were investigated and compared with the characteristics of biochar produced by pyrolysis at 300 °C, 400 °C, and 500 °C. It was found that a higher lumen fraction resulted in a more porous structure, thus increasing the ability of biochar to absorb and retain water. Acacia gerrardii absorbed 403% and retained 73.6% water, whereas T. aphylla and E. camaldulensis held 396% and 342%, and then retained 71.5% and 68.1% water, respectively. The water holding capacity and water retention ability were lower in biochars pyrolyzed at 300 °C than 500 °C. The present findings demonstrate that fiber lumen diameter and parenchyma properties provide indicators of biochar hydrological characteristics generated from tree branch wood.

Effects of biochar on karst lime soil nutrients, soil microbial communities and physiology of Sichuan pepper plants

“…Biochar acts as an efficient moderator of stable carbon storage and soil fertility as well as a medium for slow release of nutrients (Bruckman, Apaydın Varol, Uzun, & Liu, 2016; Cheng, Lee, Tang, & Zhang, 2019; Zhang, Huang, Zhang, Wan, & Wang, 2021; Zhang, Liu, Wei, & Gou, 2021; Zhang, Liu, Yang, et al, 2021). The biochar pore structure can provide a habitat for soil microbes, improving soil microbial activity (Cheng et al, 2019; Suansa, Al‐Mefarrej, & Alshahrani, 2021). Biochar is widely used in agriculture to moderate soil fertility (Bai et al, 2022; Bruckman et al, 2016; Kochanek, Soo, Martinez, Dakuidreketi, & Mudge, 2022; Makoto & Koike, 2021).…”

Characterization of Asoka (Saraca Indica L.) branch wood for pulp and paper manufacturing

“…5 Furthermore, branch wood contained a larger amount in lignin, total extractives than those determined in stem wood of E. camaldulensis, Acacia gerardii, and Tamarix aphylla. 33…”

Anatomical properties of branches and twigs mangrove woods

“…Number of branch and twig were 5 (five) for each, with a length of 20-30 cm for branch, and a length of 10-20 cm for twig, respectively. During collecting, the samples were then kept in wet fiber sacks [8]. In the laboratory, plastic bags containing sample are labeled according to the species and stored in a refrigerator for a few days until further observation [9].…”

“…The length of the fiber greatly affects the quality of the wood product produced, in this study the fibers of mangrove branches and twigs meet the fiber length requirements in the manufacture of pulp and paper. Suansa and Al-Mefarrej (2020) stated that the longer the fiber (> 400 µm) the better the paper [8]. The average diameter of the twigs and branches of these three types of mangrove wood ranges from 15-24 µm, according to the Wagenfeur classification [17], the diameters of the twigs and branches of A. marina, R. apiculata and S. caseolaris are in the medium category (fiber diameter is between 10 ̶ 24 µm) [18].…”

“…Utilization of twigs and branches of A. marina, R. apiculata and S. caseolaris may be directed in the manufacture of energy wood. In the research, Suansa and Al-Mefarej [8] suggested that branched wood has a high percentage of sapwood so that its chemical components contain large amounts of holocellulose which have the potential to produce products such as biochar, biofuel or bioenergy. A study has examined the physical properties of the branches of mangrove wood as the main material for making briquettes and pellets, because mangrove wood was previously known to have a high calorific value.…”