Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of different loading rates and types of biochar on passivations of Cu and Zn via swine manure composting

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Arid Land Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Pollution of arable land caused by heavy metals in livestock and poultry manure has become a potential threaten to human health in China. Safe disposal of the contained toxic pollution with animal manure by co-composting with biochar is one of the alternative methods. Biochars from different sources (wheat straw, peanut shells and rice husks) amended with different loading rates were investigated for passivations of copper and zinc (Cu and Zn) in swine manure composting. Results showed that the passivation effects of the three types of biochar on Cu and Zn were enhanced with increasing biochar dose. Contents of Cu and Zn measured by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and Community Bureau of Reference (CBR) showed that wheat straw biochar with the loading rates of 10%–13% (w/w) was superior to the other two types of biochar in this study. Compared with the control, sample from wheat straw biochar was more favorable for the bacterial growth of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. In addition, pot experiment showed that organic fertilizer amended with wheat straw biochar could significantly improve the growth of Chinese pakchoi and enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and catalase) as compared with the control. Cu and Zn contents of Chinese pakchoi in the organic fertilizer group containing wheat straw biochar reduced by 73.2% and 45.2%, 65.8% and 33.6%, respectively, compared with the group without loading biochar. There was no significant difference in the contents of vitamin C and reducing sugar between the groups of organic fertilizer amended with/without wheat straw biochar, however, there was significant difference compared with the heavy metal addition group. The application of organic fertilizer formed by adding biochar can effectively reduce the adverse effects of heavy metals on crops.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Reference

  • Agegnehu G, Srivastava A, Bird M I. 2017. The role of biochar and biochar-compost in improving soil quality and crop performance: A review. Applied Soil Ecology, 119: 156–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Awasthi S K, Liu T, Awasthi M K, et al. 2020. Evaluation of biochar amendment on heavy metal resistant bacteria abundance in biosolids compost. Bioresource Technology, 306: 123114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Li X Y, Li S Y, et al. 2020a. Novel-integrated process for production of bio-organic fertilizer via swine manure composting. Environmental Engineering Research, 26(2): 190522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Li X Y, Li S Y, et al. 2020b. Effect of C/N ration on disposal of pig carcass by co-composting with swine manure: experiment at laboratory scale. Environmental Technology, 1–38. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2020.1760358.

  • Chen Y N, Liu Y, Li Y P, et al. 2017. Influence of biochar on heavy metals and microbial community during composting of river sediment with agricultural wastes. Bioresource Technology, 243: 347–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng D M, Feng Y, Liu Y, et al. 2019. Dynamics of oxytetracycline, sulfamerazine, and ciprofloxacin and related antibiotic resistance genes during swine manure composting. Journal of Environmental Management, 230: 102–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chikae M, Ikeda R, Kerman K, et al. 2006. Estimation of maturity of compost from food wastes and agro-residues by multiple regression analysis. Bioresource Technology, 97(16): 1979–1985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng S, Zhang P, Duan W, et al. 2020. P-nitrophenol degradation by pine-wood derived biochar: The role of redox-active moieties and pore structures. Science of the Total Environment, 741: 140431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García C, Hernández T, Costa F. 1991. Study on water extract of sewage sludge composts. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 37(3): 399–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo X X, Liu H T, Zhang J. 2020. The role of biochar in organic waste composting and soil improvement: A review. Waste Management, 102: 884–899.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han H, Cai H, Wang X, et al. 2020. Heavy metal-immobilizing bacteria increase the biomass and reduce the Cd and Pb uptake by pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) in heavy metal-contaminated soil. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 195: 110375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hao J K, Wei Z, Wei D, et al. 2019. Roles of adding biochar and montmorillonite alone on reducing the bioavailability of heavy metals during chicken manure composting. Bioresource Technology, 294: 122199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu W T, Zheng G, Fang D, et al. 2015. Bioleached sludge composting drastically reducing ammonia volatilization as well as decreasing bulking agent dosage and improving compost quality: A case study. Waste Management, 44: 55–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang D L, Liu L S, Zeng G M, et al. 2017. The effects of rice straw biochar on indigenous microbial community and enzymes activity in heavy metal-contaminated sediment. Chemosphere, 174: 545–553.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ihnat M, Fernandes L. 1996. Trace elemental characterization of composted poultry manure. Bioresource Technology, 57(2): 143–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iqbal H, Garcia-Perez M, Flury M. 2015. Effect of biochar on leaching of organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from compost in bioretention systems. Science of the Total Environment, 521–522: 37–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jing F, Chen C, Chen X M, et al. 2020. Effects of wheat straw derived biochar on cadmium availability in a paddy soil and its accumulation in rice. Environmental Pollution, 257: 113592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarzifard M, Moore F, Sharifi R. 2019. The influence of physicochemical parameters on bioavailability and bioaccessibility of heavy metals in sediments of the intertidal zone of Asaluyeh region, Persian Gulf, Iran. Geochemistry, 79(1): 178–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan K Y, Ali B, Cui X, et al. 2017. Impact of different feedstocks derived biochar amendment with cadmium low uptake affinity cultivar of pak choi (Brassica rapa ssb. chinensis L.) on phytoavoidation of Cd to reduce potential dietary toxicity. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 141: 129–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Prasad S, Yadav K K, et al. 2019. Hazardous heavy metals contamination of vegetables and food chain: Role of sustainable remediation approaches-A review. Environmental Research, 179: 108792.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leng L J, Xu S Y, Liu R F, et al. 2020. Nitrogen containing functional groups of biochar: An overview. Bioresource Technology, 298: 122286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Xu Y, Wang L Q, et al. 2019. Heavy metal occurrence and risk assessment in dairy feeds and manures from the typical intensive dairy farms in China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26: 6348–5358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucchini P, Quilliam R S, DeLuca T H, et al. 2014. Does biochar application alter heavy metal dynamics in agricultural soil? Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 184: 149–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Md Khudzari J, Tartakovsky B, Raghavan G S V. 2016. Effect of C/N ratio and salinity on power generation in compost microbial fuel cells. Waste Management, 48: 135–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montiel-Rozas M, Madejón E, Madejón P. 2016. Effect of heavy metals and organic matter on root exudates (low molecular weight organic acids) of herbaceous species: An assessment in sand and soil conditions under different levels of contamination. Environmental Pollution, 216: 273–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson D W, Sommers L E. 1980. Total nitrogen analysis of soil and plant tissues. Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 63(4): 770–778.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nie C R, Yang X, Niazi N K, et al. 2018. Impact of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar on heavy metal availability and microbial activity: a field study. Chemosphere, 200: 274–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palansooriya K N, Wong J T, Hashimoto Y, et al. 2019. Response of microbial communities to biochar-amended soils: a critical review. Biochar, 1: 3–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez-Cid B, Lavilla I, Bendicho C. 1999. Application of microwave extraction for partitioning of heavy metals in sewage sludge. Analytica Chimica Acta, 378(1–3): 201–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plácido J, Bustamante-López S, Meissner K E, et al. 2019. Comparative study of the characteristics and fluorescent properties of three different biochar derived-carbonaceous nanomaterials for bioimaging and heavy metal ions sensing. Fuel Processing Technology, 196: 106163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rayo-Mendez L M, Gómez A V, Tadini C C. 2019. Extraction of soluble sugars from banana puree to obtain a matrix rich in non-starch polysaccharides. Food Chemistry, 294: 539–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-García M, Alburquerque J A, Sánchez-Monedero M A, et al. 2015. Biochar accelerates organic matter degradation and enhances N mineralisation during composting of poultry manure without a relevant impact on gas emissions. Bioresource Technology, 192: 272–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt H-P, Kammann C, Niggli C, et al. 2014. Biochar and biochar-compost as soil amendments to a vineyard soil: Influences on plant growth, nutrient uptake, plant health and grape quality. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 191: 117–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shan R, Shi Y Y, Gu J, et al. 2020. Single and competitive adsorption affinity of heavy metals toward peanut shell-derived biochar and its mechanisms in aqueous systems. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 28(5): 1375–1383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen X L, Zeng J F, Zhang D L, et al. 2020. Effect of pyrolysis temperature on characteristics, chemical speciation and environmental risk of Cr, Mn, Cu, and Zn in biochars derived from pig manure. Science of the Total Environment, 704: 135283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun X, Atiyeh H K, Li M X, et al. 2019. Biochar facilitated bioprocessing and biorefinery for productions of biofuel and chemicals: A review. Bioresource Technology, 295: 122252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Surgutskaia N S, Martino A D, Zednik J, et al. 2020. Efficient Cu2+, Pb2+ and Ni2+ ion removal from wastewater using electrospun DTPA-modified chitosan/polyethylene oxide nanofibers. Separation and Purification Technology, 247: 116914.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang J, Zhang L H, Zhang J C, et al. 2020. Physicochemical features, metal availability and enzyme activity in heavy metal-polluted soil remediated by biochar and compost. Science of the Total Environment, 701: 134751.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang J C, Zhu W Y, Kookana R, et al. 2013. Characteristics of biochar and its application in remediation of contaminated soil. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 116(6): 653–659.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiquia S. 2010. Reduction of compost phytotoxicity during the process of decomposition. Chemosphere, 79(5): 506–512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Selvam A, Chan M, et al. 2013. Nitrogen conservation and acidity control during food wastes composting through struvite formation. Bioresource Technology, 147: 17–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei Y Q, Zhao Y, Wang H, et al. 2016. An optimized regulating method for composting phosphorus fractions transformation based on biochar addition and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria inoculation. Bioresource Technology, 221: 139–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao Z H, Yuan X Z, Leng L J, et al. 2016. Risk assessment of heavy metals from combustion of pelletized municipal sewage sludge. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23: 3934–3942.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu N, Tan G, Wang H, et al. 2016. Effect of biochar additions to soil on nitrogen leaching, microbial biomass and bacterial community structure. European Journal of Soil Biology, 74: 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Y G, Bai T X, Yan Y B, et al. 2020. Influence of sodium hydroxide addition on characteristics and environmental risk of heavy metals in biochars derived from swine manure. Waste Management, 105: 511–519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan M M, Jia W X, Su S M, et al. 2018. Phytoavailability comparison of Cu and Zn in two types of leaf vegetables after application with manure and their equivalent water-soluble salts. Journal of Agro-Environment Science, 37: 223–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang F, Li Y, Han Y H, et al. 2019. Performance of mature compost to control gaseous emissions in kitchen waste composting. Science of the Total Environment, 657: 262–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang X, Liu J J, McGrouther K, et al. 2016. Effect of biochar on the extractability of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) and enzyme activity in soil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(2): 974–984.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao Y L, Zhu F X, Chen H J, et al. 2020. Utilization of gibberellin fermentation residues with swine manure by two-step composting mediated by housefly maggot bioconversion. Waste Management, 105: 339–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu Z, Tang J, Liao H P, et al. 2018. The distinctive microbial community improves composting efficiency in a full-scale hyperthermophilic composting plant. Bioresource Technology, 265: 146–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng G M, Yu M, Chen Y N, et al. 2010. Effects of inoculation with Phanerochaete chrysosporium at various time points on enzyme activities during agricultural waste composting. Bioresource Technology, 101(1): 222–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng G M, Yu Z, Chen Y N, et al. 2011. Response of compost maturity and microbial community composition to pentachlorophenol (PCP)-contaminated soil during composting. Bioresource Technology, 102(10): 5905–5911.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng X Y, Xiao Z H, Zhang G L, et al. 2018. Speciation and bioavailability of heavy metals in pyrolytic biochar of swine and goat manures. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 132: 82–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang C T, Zhang L J, Gao J X, et al. 2020. Evolution of the functional groups/structures of biochar and heteroatoms during the pyrolysis of seaweed. Algal Research, 48: 101900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L H, Dong H R, Zhu Y, et al. 2019. Evolutions of different microbial populations and the relationships with matrix properties during agricultural waste composting with amendment of iron (hydr)oxide nanoparticles. Bioresource Technology, 289: 121697.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhong X Z, Li X X, Zeng Y, et al. 2020. Dynamic change of bacterial community during dairy manure composting process revealed by high-throughput sequencing and advanced bioinformatics tools. Bioresource Technology, 306: 123091.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zucconi F, Pera A, Forte M, et al. 1981. Evaluating toxicity of immature compost. Biocycle, 22: 54–57.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41861124004), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2017M613260), and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0501406).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China

    Yan Chen, Yongping Xu, Fangjing Qu & Xiaoyu Li

  2. Ministry of Education Center for Food Safety of Animal Origin, Dalian, 116620, China

    Yongping Xu & Xiaoyu Li

  3. Xinjiang Western Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Shihezi, 832000, China

    Fuqin Hou & Xiaoyu Li

  4. Xinjiang Tianshan Military Reclamation and Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Shihezi, 832000, China

    Hongli Chen

Authors
  1. Yan Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yongping Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fangjing Qu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Fuqin Hou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hongli Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xiaoyu Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaoyu Li.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chen, Y., Xu, Y., Qu, F. et al. Effects of different loading rates and types of biochar on passivations of Cu and Zn via swine manure composting. J. Arid Land 12, 1056–1070 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-020-0026-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-020-0026-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation