Publication Details
Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.02.042
Title (Primary) Management of biosolids-derived hydrochar (Sewchar): Effect on plant germination, and farmers' acceptance
Author Medeiros Melo, T.; Bottlinger, M.; Schulz, E.; Leandro, W.M.; Botelho de Oliveira, S.; Menezes de Aguiar Filho, A.; El-Naggar, A.; Bolan, N.; Wang, H.; Ok, Y.S.; Rinklebe, J.
Journal Journal of Environmental Management
Year 2019
Department BOOEK
Volume 237
Page From 200
Page To 214
Language englisch
Keywords Sewage sludge; Hydrothermal carbonization; Germination test; Survey
Abstract Hydrothermal carbonization is a promising approach of biosolids management and its utilization as a soil amendment. This study evaluated the physical and chemical properties of hydrothermally converted biosolids (Sewchar) and its effect as a potential soil amendment on the growth of rice, beans, and radish. The germination experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a randomized design using five Sewchar doses (0, 10, 20, 40 and 60 Mg ha−1). The results showed that hydrothermal carbonization influences the physicochemical properties of the biosolids, such as promoting pore structure and trace elements below the threshold values for use in agriculture. The spectroscopic techniques demonstrated higher presence of oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., CO/OH) on surfaces of Sewchar than that of biosolids. The Sewchar doses of 10 Mg ha−1 and 60 Mg ha−1 yielded the highest dry biomass for beans and rice respectively. Increasing Sewchar doses negatively correlated with radish dry biomass, as indicated by linear regression equation fitting (p < 0.05). Thus, biomass responses to Sewchar application into the soil varied with Sewchar dose and type of plant. For a proper environmental management, a survey was conducted to assess farmers' perception and acceptance of Sewchar as a soil amendment. The survey revealed that younger farmers who had higher education qualifications were more prone to use Sewchar as soil amendment. Additionally, farmers who would not use Sewchar as soil amendment attributed the highest level of importance to economic criteria, such as fertilizer and freight prices. In the future, studies on a longer term under field conditions should be performed to elucidate the interactions between Sewchar and soil properties on plant growth and to ensure the safe use of Sewchar as a soil amendment.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=21805
Medeiros Melo, T., Bottlinger, M., Schulz, E., Leandro, W.M., Botelho de Oliveira, S., Menezes de Aguiar Filho, A., El-Naggar, A., Bolan, N., Wang, H., Ok, Y.S., Rinklebe, J. (2019):
Management of biosolids-derived hydrochar (Sewchar): Effect on plant germination, and farmers' acceptance
J. Environ. Manage. 237 , 200 - 214