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Mine tailing storage represents an important environmental issue. The generation and dispersal of dust from mine tailings can contaminate air and surrounding soils. In addition, metals and soluble salts present in these wastes could pollute groundwater and surface water. The recovery of metals from mine tailings can contribute to minimize the environmental risk and to achieve a circular economy model. The main objective of the present work is to study the use of two carbon-based materials, a commercial activated carbon (AC) and a commercial charcoal (VC) in the leaching of zinc and copper from low-grade tailing waste. Experimental results obtained show that it is possible to achieve the recovery of more than 87 wt% of Zn after 6 h of leaching with different sulfuric acid solutions. The addition of carbon-based materials increases the extraction of Zn at high sulfuric acid concentrations (1 M) from 89% to 99%. The addition of VC significantly increases the extraction of Cu in leaching solution with high sulfuric acid concentration (1 M), from 41 to 61%. Future research will be necessary to optimize the properties of carbon-based materials and their recovery after leaching experiments in order to assess their potential for industrial application.
María Álvarez; Ana Méndez; Roberto Rodríguez-Pacheco; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó. Recovery of Zinc and Copper from Mine Tailings by Acid Leaching Solutions Combined with Carbon-Based Materials. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 5166 .
AMA StyleMaría Álvarez, Ana Méndez, Roberto Rodríguez-Pacheco, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Gabriel Gascó. Recovery of Zinc and Copper from Mine Tailings by Acid Leaching Solutions Combined with Carbon-Based Materials. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (11):5166.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Álvarez; Ana Méndez; Roberto Rodríguez-Pacheco; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó. 2021. "Recovery of Zinc and Copper from Mine Tailings by Acid Leaching Solutions Combined with Carbon-Based Materials." Applied Sciences 11, no. 11: 5166.
Chalcopyrite, the main ore of copper, is refractory in sulfuric media with slow dissolution. The most commonly employed hydrometallurgical process for the oxidation of chalcopyrite and copper extraction is the sulfuric acid ferric sulfate system The main objective of the present work is to study the use of cheap carbon-based materials in the leaching of copper and zinc from a sulfide complex mineral from Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). The addition effect of commercial charcoal (VC) and two magnetic biochars (BM and HM) that were obtained by pyrolysis of biomass wastes was compared to that of commercial activated carbon (AC). The experimental results performed in this work have shown that the presence of carbon-based materials significantly influences the kinetics of chalcopyrite leaching in the sulfuric acid ferric sulfate media at 90 °C. The amount of copper and zinc extracted from IPB without the addition of carbon-based material was 63 and 72%, respectively. The highest amount of extracted zinc (>90%) was obtained with the addition of VC and AC in IPB/carbon-based material ratio of 1/0.25 w/w. Moreover, it is possible to recover more than 80% of copper with the addition of VC in a ratio 1/0.25 w/w. Moreover, an optimization of the properties of the carbon-based material for its potential application as catalyst in the leaching of metals from sulfide is necessary.
María Álvarez; José Fidalgo; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez. Hydrometalurgical Recovery of Cu and Zn from a Complex Sulfide Mineral by Fe3+/H2SO4 Leaching in the Presence of Carbon-Based Materials. Metals 2021, 11, 286 .
AMA StyleMaría Álvarez, José Fidalgo, Gabriel Gascó, Ana Méndez. Hydrometalurgical Recovery of Cu and Zn from a Complex Sulfide Mineral by Fe3+/H2SO4 Leaching in the Presence of Carbon-Based Materials. Metals. 2021; 11 (2):286.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Álvarez; José Fidalgo; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez. 2021. "Hydrometalurgical Recovery of Cu and Zn from a Complex Sulfide Mineral by Fe3+/H2SO4 Leaching in the Presence of Carbon-Based Materials." Metals 11, no. 2: 286.
Biochars and hydrochars have a significant effect on soil properties linked to fertility or to carbon cycling and have been proposed as an amendment to increase soil productivity, particularly in acidic soils. Phytotoxic forms of aluminium (Al) are relatively abundant in acidic soils and, for a long period of time, liming has been used to correct this. Ca(OH)2, a pig manure (PM) and two biochars and two hydrochars prepared from pig manure were studied for their effects on Al fractions. Biochars were prepared at 450 °C (BPC450) and 600 °C (BPC600) and hydrochars were obtained using a pig manure solution (ratio 30:70) that was heated at 200 °C (HPC200) and 240 °C (HPC240). A treatment with an amount of Ca(OH)2 necessary to increase soil pH to the same pH value as the average in the treatments BPC450, BPC600, HPC200, HPC240 and PM was used for comparison. The fractionation of Al was studied, with the liming treatment allowing the differentiation between changes in fractionation driven by pH changes from other mechanisms. In relation to the control, all soil amendments presented high capacity of controlling toxic Al, similar to a traditional liming product (Ca(OH)2) and decreased the exchangeable Al extracted by NH4Cl. Both types of materials (biochars and hydrochars) lead to the formation of an increased number of organo-aluminium complexes (OAC). Biochars lead to the formation of OAC of low to medium stability, while hydrochars promoted the formation of OAC of high stability.
Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; María Luisa Álvarez-Calvo; Cícero Célio De Figueiredo; Ana-Maria Mendez; Gabriel Gascó. Effect of Biochar and Hydrochar on Forms of Aluminium in an Acidic Soil. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 7843 .
AMA StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro, María Luisa Álvarez-Calvo, Cícero Célio De Figueiredo, Ana-Maria Mendez, Gabriel Gascó. Effect of Biochar and Hydrochar on Forms of Aluminium in an Acidic Soil. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (21):7843.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro; María Luisa Álvarez-Calvo; Cícero Célio De Figueiredo; Ana-Maria Mendez; Gabriel Gascó. 2020. "Effect of Biochar and Hydrochar on Forms of Aluminium in an Acidic Soil." Applied Sciences 10, no. 21: 7843.
Biochar is a carbon-rich solid obtained from the pyrolysis of organic feedstock under limited oxygen and at relatively low temperatures
Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana-Maria Méndez; Gabriel Gascó; Cícero Célio De Figueiredo. Special Issue on “Environmental Applications of Biochar”. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 6076 .
AMA StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro, Ana-Maria Méndez, Gabriel Gascó, Cícero Célio De Figueiredo. Special Issue on “Environmental Applications of Biochar”. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (17):6076.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana-Maria Méndez; Gabriel Gascó; Cícero Célio De Figueiredo. 2020. "Special Issue on “Environmental Applications of Biochar”." Applied Sciences 10, no. 17: 6076.
The removal of emerging contaminants (ECs) for water source reclamation, minimizing energy and chemical use, is an environmental concern worldwide. In this study, we used the technologically cleaner pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) processes to convert olive oil production wastes into chars in order to simultaneously remove triclosan (TCS), ibuprofen (IBP) and diclofenac (DCF) from water. The chars prepared from olive stone (S), olive tree pruning (P) and pitted and reprocessed wet olive mill waste (H), as well as commercial biochars and a commercial active carbon (CAC), were characterized using different techniques and assayed as adsorbents. Pyrolysis temperatures had only a slight effect on the adsorption capacity of chars. The pseudo second-order reaction kinetic and the Freundlich equation provided the best fit for experimental data. The pH values of char suspensions were negatively correlated with their maximum adsorption capacities. The hydrochars synthetized at the lowest temperatures (≤ 240 °C), which had an acidic pH and were rich in oxygenated functional groups, recorded the highest adsorption rates: 64% for DCF, 43% for IBP) and especially for TCS, with a rate of 98%, despite of a low surface area of 7.5 m2/ g. This study demonstrates for the first time that unmodified hydrochars from pitted and reprocessed wet olive mill waste are inexpensive, sustainable and environmentally friendly adsorbents which can be used to remove ECs and other similar compounds in water treatments.
Laura Delgado-Moreno; Saida Bazhari; Gabriel Gasco; Ana Méndez; Mohammed El Azzouzi; Esperanza Romero. New insights into the efficient removal of emerging contaminants by biochars and hydrochars derived from olive oil wastes. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 752, 141838 .
AMA StyleLaura Delgado-Moreno, Saida Bazhari, Gabriel Gasco, Ana Méndez, Mohammed El Azzouzi, Esperanza Romero. New insights into the efficient removal of emerging contaminants by biochars and hydrochars derived from olive oil wastes. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 752 ():141838.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Delgado-Moreno; Saida Bazhari; Gabriel Gasco; Ana Méndez; Mohammed El Azzouzi; Esperanza Romero. 2020. "New insights into the efficient removal of emerging contaminants by biochars and hydrochars derived from olive oil wastes." Science of The Total Environment 752, no. : 141838.
The synthesis of biochar-metal oxide composites for removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions or remediating polluted soils has attracted increased attention. Amongst them, Fe oxide composites stand out due to possible magnetic properties and low price. Two types of Fe oxide-biochar composites were prepared by impregnation with ferric sulfate salts of biomass waste or corresponding hydrochar, followed by pyrolysis at 550 °C for 5 h. During pyrolysis, Fe increased carbonization, leading to biochar with low H/C values. Properties of Fe oxide-biochar composite greatly depend on the feedstock. The Fe content in the final Fe oxide-biochar was higher than in biochar obtained by direct pyrolysis of biomass waste. Some of Fe was in the form of FeS. Impregnation of hydrochar followed by pyrolysis lead to a Fe oxide-biochar composite with lower ash content and higher micro- and macro-porosity. In this case, the Fe was in the form of Fe oxides.
M.L. Álvarez; G. Gascó; T. Palacios; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. Fe oxides-biochar composites produced by hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis of biomass waste. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 2020, 151, 104893 .
AMA StyleM.L. Álvarez, G. Gascó, T. Palacios, J. Paz-Ferreiro, A. Méndez. Fe oxides-biochar composites produced by hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis of biomass waste. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis. 2020; 151 ():104893.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM.L. Álvarez; G. Gascó; T. Palacios; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. 2020. "Fe oxides-biochar composites produced by hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis of biomass waste." Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 151, no. : 104893.
Land degradation by old mining activities is a concern worldwide. However, many known technologies are expensive and cannot be considered for mining soil restoration. Biochar amendment of mining soils is becoming an interesting alternative to traditional technologies due to an improvement in soil properties and metal mobility reduction. Biochar effects depend on soil and biochar properties, which in turn vary with pyrolysis conversion parameters and the feedstock used. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of four biochars prepared from poultry and rabbit manure at two pyrolysis temperatures (450 and 600 °C) in the trace metal mobility, CO2 emissions, and enzymatic activity of 10 mining soils located in three historical mining areas of Spain (Zarandas-Andalusia, Mijarojos-Cantabria, and Portman-Murcia). For this reason, soils were amended with biochars at a rate of 10% (w/w), and different treatments were incubated for 180 days. For acid soils of the Zarandas-Andalusia area, biochar addition reduced the mobility of Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr, respectively, by 91%, 81%, 29%, 67%, and 70%. Nevertheless, biochars did not exhibit the same efficiency in the other two areas where alkaline soils were predominant. CO2 emissions generally increased in the treated soils. The application of biochars produced at 600 °C reduced CO2 emissions, in some cases by more than 28%, being an adequate strategy for C sequestration in soil. The results showed that application of manure biochars can be an effective technique to reduce the mobility of metals in multi-contaminated acid soils, while reducing metal toxicity for soil microorganisms.
María Luisa Álvarez; Ana Méndez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó. Effects of Manure Waste Biochars in Mining Soils. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 3393 .
AMA StyleMaría Luisa Álvarez, Ana Méndez, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Gabriel Gascó. Effects of Manure Waste Biochars in Mining Soils. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (10):3393.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Luisa Álvarez; Ana Méndez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó. 2020. "Effects of Manure Waste Biochars in Mining Soils." Applied Sciences 10, no. 10: 3393.
In recent times, there has been increased focus on a holistic approach to soil remediation with consideration of social, economic and environmental factors. Consequently, there is a demand from practitioners and regulators alike for suitable ways to measure ancillary outcomes, for example, effects on soil quality. Here we show that biochar, when applied to land to remediate lead (Pb)-contaminated soils, can lead to environmental improvements not realized by adding mined or manufactured phosphates. Here, we study a Pb-contaminated soil amended with two phosphate fertilizers (slow- and fast-release) and with biochars produced from poultry litter and from biosolids at three temperatures (300 °C, 400 °C and 500 °C). The results show that, unlike the fast-release P fertilizer, biochars did not result in an increase in the amount of leachable P that could be released into the environment. Biochars prepared at 500 °C presented a higher value of the integrative geometric mean of soil enzyme activity, compared to the P fertilizers. Overall, our research shows that biochars, particularly those prepared at the higher temperature tested, are a suitable alternative to P fertilizers as an integrative remediation strategy in Pb-contaminated soils, enabling soil biological restoration.
Pacian Netherway; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez; Aravind Surapaneni; Suzie Reichman; Kalpit Shah; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. Using Phosphorus-Rich Biochars to Remediate Lead-Contaminated Soil: Influence on Soil Enzymes and Extractable P. Agronomy 2020, 10, 454 .
AMA StylePacian Netherway, Gabriel Gascó, Ana Méndez, Aravind Surapaneni, Suzie Reichman, Kalpit Shah, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. Using Phosphorus-Rich Biochars to Remediate Lead-Contaminated Soil: Influence on Soil Enzymes and Extractable P. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (4):454.
Chicago/Turabian StylePacian Netherway; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez; Aravind Surapaneni; Suzie Reichman; Kalpit Shah; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. 2020. "Using Phosphorus-Rich Biochars to Remediate Lead-Contaminated Soil: Influence on Soil Enzymes and Extractable P." Agronomy 10, no. 4: 454.
Metal´s demand and price are increasing due to the global trend towards urbanisation and industrialisation. Metals and raw materials are crucial to Europe’s society, economy and industry. However, some of them show a high-supply risk due to high dependence of imports, being necessary to find alternative materials or new sources for their recovery. Additionally, the overall global reserves of high-grade ores are close to depletion. In this context, low-grade, complex ores like sulphide minerals and old waste deposits related to past mining activities have received much more attention in recent years as new metal sources. The main objective of the present work is the recovery of metals from mining tailings, mainly post-flotation wastes, by eco-friendly hydrometallurgical processes. The presence of low-grade minerals hinders metal extraction by traditional pyrometallurgical processes. Spanish mining tailings show different compositions depending on their origin. However, complex ores like sulphide minerals (pyrite; sphalerite; chalcopyrite; arsenopyrite and other polymetallic sulphides) are generally present. It is known that metals in the form of complex sulphide precludes their chemical leaching. For this reason, some carbon materials have been studied during last years as efficient catalysts for the leaching of metals from complex sulphides. The present work will be performed during the project RTI2018-096695-B-C31 (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad). Different mining taillings will be selected from Spanish mining areas and mix with corresponding carbon catalysts. Leaching experiments will be performed during 96 hours at 60 and 90ºC under continuous agitation. The results obtained in the project will contribute to better understanding of the influence of catalysts in the leaching of metals from mineral sulphides.
Authors wish to thank Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad for economic support (RTI2018-096695-B-C31)
Gabriel Gascó; Ignacio Sánchez; José Manuel Fidalgo; Antonio Saa; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana Méndez. Recovery of metals from mining tailings by eco-friendly hydrometallurgical processes. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleGabriel Gascó, Ignacio Sánchez, José Manuel Fidalgo, Antonio Saa, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Ana Méndez. Recovery of metals from mining tailings by eco-friendly hydrometallurgical processes. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGabriel Gascó; Ignacio Sánchez; José Manuel Fidalgo; Antonio Saa; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana Méndez. 2020. "Recovery of metals from mining tailings by eco-friendly hydrometallurgical processes." , no. : 1.
Large amounts of manure waste are produced worldwide. Land application of manure waste is the most common approach to valorization. This practice has several environmental concerns, including pathogen spreading, emissions of odorous chemicals (ammonia or methane) and the pollution of waterbodies with nitrogen and phosphorous compounds. The pyrolysis of manure for biochar production has been tested as a useful treatment to avoid these concerns but the high moisture of some wastes hinders its thermo-chemical valorisation in the absence of a pre-drying step. Recently, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of wet biomass has been identified as a cost-effective valorisation method of biomass without the need for energy-intensive drying processes. The objective of this study is to compare the properties of pyrochars and hydrochars prepared from thermal treatment of rabbit manure (MW). Pyrochars were prepared at 450 °C (BMW450) and 600 °C (BMW600) and hydrochars were obtained using a rabbit manure solution (solid:water ratio 30:70) that was heated at 190 °C (HMW190) and 240 °C (HMW240). The final temperature was maintained during 1 h for pyrochars and 6 h for hydrochars. Results showed that HTC generated more micro-, meso- and macro-porosity than pyrolysis. Pyrochar produced at 600 °C possessed a high thermal, chemical and biological stability, probably due to its highly aromatic structure. Hydrochars (HMW190 and HMW240) were predominantly aliphatic, and this was associated to a lower chemical and thermal stability than pyrochars. The germination index values indicated that the pyrochar BMW450 and the two hydrochars were highly phytotoxic while pyrochar MWB600 presented a moderate phytotoxicity, which was lower than the manure waste. Finally, CO2 emissions of different materials after 60 days followed the order: MW > HMW190 > HMW240 > BMW450 > BMW600. Specifically, pyrolysis evolved CO2 was reduced between 97.8-88.7% with respect to raw material after pyrolysis. The HTC treatment diminished evolved CO2 between 68.8-59.0%, with respect to the manure. These results indicate that both processes can be considered as carbon fixation technologies.
E. Cárdenas-Aguiar; G. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. Thermogravimetric analysis and carbon stability of chars produced from slow pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization of manure waste. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 2019, 140, 434 -443.
AMA StyleE. Cárdenas-Aguiar, G. Gascó, J. Paz-Ferreiro, A. Méndez. Thermogravimetric analysis and carbon stability of chars produced from slow pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization of manure waste. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis. 2019; 140 ():434-443.
Chicago/Turabian StyleE. Cárdenas-Aguiar; G. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. 2019. "Thermogravimetric analysis and carbon stability of chars produced from slow pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization of manure waste." Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 140, no. : 434-443.
Pyrolysis of organic wastes for biochar preparation has been proved as a useful way of waste management. However, the elevated water content of some organic wastes precludes its use without a drying step before pyrolysis treatment. For this reason, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of wet biomass could be an inexpensive alternative management method. The main objective of the present work is to compare the properties of biochars and hydrochars obtained from thermal treatment of pig manure. Biochars were prepared at 300 °C (BPM300), 450 °C (BPM450) and 600 °C (BPM600) and hydrochars were obtained using a pig manure solution (ratio 30:70) that was heated at 200 °C (HPM200), 220 °C (HPM220) and 240 °C (HPM240) during 2 h. Characterization of biochar and hydrochar samples showed that pyrolysis led to chars with more aromatic structures and high thermal stability while HTC process originated chars with more aliphatic structures. HPM220 and HPM240 showed the highest values of field capacity water content and available water probably due to their higher O/C ratios and the macroporosity development in the range from 200 to 30,000 nm. These results suggested that HTC could be an interesting method to obtain soil growing media or green roof materials with adequate hydrophysical properties.
G. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; M.L. Álvarez; A. Saa; A. Méndez. Biochars and hydrochars prepared by pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonisation of pig manure. Waste Management 2018, 79, 395 -403.
AMA StyleG. Gascó, J. Paz-Ferreiro, M.L. Álvarez, A. Saa, A. Méndez. Biochars and hydrochars prepared by pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonisation of pig manure. Waste Management. 2018; 79 ():395-403.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; M.L. Álvarez; A. Saa; A. Méndez. 2018. "Biochars and hydrochars prepared by pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonisation of pig manure." Waste Management 79, no. : 395-403.
Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez; Suzie M. Reichman. Soil Pollution and Remediation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 1657 .
AMA StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro, Gabriel Gascó, Ana Méndez, Suzie M. Reichman. Soil Pollution and Remediation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (8):1657.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez; Suzie M. Reichman. 2018. "Soil Pollution and Remediation." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 8: 1657.
Gasification and torrefaction have both gained significant interest as bioenergy techniques. During biomass gasification together with fuel gas, carbon-rich solid substances are produced, whereas torrefaction process is mainly used to prepare a final product with higher calorific value and carbon content than the feedstock, through a low temperature pyrolysis. Both materials (carbon wastes from gasification and torrefied product) could be classified as alternatives to biochar obtained from slow pyrolysis of biomass. The use of biochar, typically from the slow pyrolysis of biomass, as soil amendment and, more recently, as growing media components has been widely researched. However, to our knowledge, no studies have compared the use of biochar from gasification and torrefaction as growing media component for growing media formulation. The objective of this work was to study the effect of two biochars on peat-based growing media: a pinewood gasification biochar (BG) and a biochar (BT) obtained by torrefaction of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. Growing media mixing PT (peat) with 50%vol of BG or BT were prepared and characterized according to their chemical, thermal and hydrophysical properties. Phytotoxic experiments and growth of Lolium perenne were also performed. Results indicated that peat substitution in growing media by BG and BT at a 50%vol ratio improved their hydrophysical properties. Specifically, bulk density increased more than 50%, air space increased by 43%, the increment of the total porosity was 20%, and, finally, the water holding capacity increased by 18.3%. Significantly, a positive effect on plant biomass production (yield increment: 274%) was observed after addition of BT, whereas no significant differences were observed after addition of BG biochar. Therefore, it can be concluded that both BT and BG could be used as peat substitutes in growing media formulation.
Gabriel Gascó; María Luisa Álvarez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Guillermo San Miguel; Ana Méndez. Valorization of biochars from pinewood gasification and municipal solid waste torrefaction as peat substitutes. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2018, 25, 26461 -26469.
AMA StyleGabriel Gascó, María Luisa Álvarez, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Guillermo San Miguel, Ana Méndez. Valorization of biochars from pinewood gasification and municipal solid waste torrefaction as peat substitutes. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2018; 25 (26):26461-26469.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGabriel Gascó; María Luisa Álvarez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Guillermo San Miguel; Ana Méndez. 2018. "Valorization of biochars from pinewood gasification and municipal solid waste torrefaction as peat substitutes." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25, no. 26: 26461-26469.
Ever increasing volumes of biosolids (treated sewage sludge) are being produced by municipal wastewater facilities. This is a consequence of the continued expansion of urban areas, which in turn require the commissioning of new treatment plants or upgrades to existing facilities. Biosolids contain nutrients and energy which can be used in agriculture or waste-to-energy processes. Biosolids have been disposed of in landfills, but there is an increasing pressure from regulators to phase out landfilling. This article performs a critical review on options for the management of biosolids with a focus on pyrolysis and the application of the solid fraction of pyrolysis (biochar) into soil.
Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Aurora Nieto; Ana Méndez; Matthew Peter James Askeland; Gabriel Gascó. Biochar from Biosolids Pyrolysis: A Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 956 .
AMA StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro, Aurora Nieto, Ana Méndez, Matthew Peter James Askeland, Gabriel Gascó. Biochar from Biosolids Pyrolysis: A Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (5):956.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro; Aurora Nieto; Ana Méndez; Matthew Peter James Askeland; Gabriel Gascó. 2018. "Biochar from Biosolids Pyrolysis: A Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 5: 956.
Biochar production from manure wastes, including pig manure, could provide a valuable alternative to current waste management practices, while offering an opportunity to improve soil properties and to reduce the risk of contamination derived from the direct application of manure as a soil amendment. Two different biochar samples, produced from pig manure at 300 °C (BPC300) and 500 °C (BPC500) were used to evaluate the impact of biochar amendment on soil enzymatic activity and soil CO2 emissions. An incubation experiment was designed as follows: selected soil (S) was amended with pig manure (PC) and two pig manure biochars prepared at 300 °C (BPC300) and 500 °C (BPC500) at a rate of 8 wt%. All samples were incubated during 219 days. The results indicated that soil amendment with biochars decreased the carbon mineralization, in contrast to soil amended with the pig manure. Addition of pig manure increased dehydrogenase, phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities, while B prepared at 300 °C resulted on a positive effect on dehydrogenase activity. In contrast, B prepared at 500 °C did not exhibit a positive effect on soil enzyme activity.
G. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; P. Cely; C. Plaza; A. Méndez. Influence of pig manure and its biochar on soil CO2 emissions and soil enzymes. Ecological Engineering 2016, 95, 19 -24.
AMA StyleG. Gascó, J. Paz-Ferreiro, P. Cely, C. Plaza, A. Méndez. Influence of pig manure and its biochar on soil CO2 emissions and soil enzymes. Ecological Engineering. 2016; 95 ():19-24.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; P. Cely; C. Plaza; A. Méndez. 2016. "Influence of pig manure and its biochar on soil CO2 emissions and soil enzymes." Ecological Engineering 95, no. : 19-24.
Soil biological properties play a critical role in determining the environmental functions and processes of agricultural ecosystems. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the recent research findings on biochar amendments influencing soil biological properties and ecosystem services. In general, biochar ameliorated soil biological properties and soil ecological functions, but the effect varied with the soil type, the biochar quality, and the application rate. Addition of biochar stimulated soil enzymatic activity and microbial biomass, especially for acidic or contaminated soils. Soil respiration was also primed, to a greater extent by biochars containing more labile carbon as those produced at lower pyrolysis temperatures. Biochar amendment further improved the mycorrhizal colonization of plant roots, the abundance of bacteria and viruses in soil, and the microbial community stability. Biochar also mediated plant systemic resistance against foliar diseases and inhibited plant parasitic nematodes in soils. Earthworms and arthropods can ingest biochar particles for the inherent labile C or the bacteria/fungal mycelia sorbed on the surface, but the soil fauna might be restricted at high biochar application rates due to the substantial soil alterations in pH and other physiochemical conditions. The effects of biochar amendment on soil biological properties could be transient or of long term, likely through altering soil physical (e.g., soil structure, aeration, water retention, temperature, and microbial habitat) and chemical (e.g., pH, nutrient availability, contaminant detoxification) properties and providing additional nutrients and labile carbon. Intensive research with long-term field trials is warranted to understand the mechanisms and processes through which biochar interacts with soil biological communities. Copyright © 2016. . Copyright © 2016 Soil Science Society of America, Inc.
Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana Méndez; Gabriel Gascó. Application of Biochar for Soil Biological Improvement. SSSA Special Publications 2015, sssaspecia, 145 -173.
AMA StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro, Ana Méndez, Gabriel Gascó. Application of Biochar for Soil Biological Improvement. SSSA Special Publications. 2015; sssaspecia (sssaspecpu):145-173.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana Méndez; Gabriel Gascó. 2015. "Application of Biochar for Soil Biological Improvement." SSSA Special Publications sssaspecia, no. sssaspecpu: 145-173.
Adding some pruning residues to the soil could result on phytotoxicity due to the presence of polyphenols. Pyrolysis of those residues could lead to a product with less polyphenols and a potential to be used as soil amendment. Soil biological properties, and, in particular soil enzyme activities have often been as indicators of soil quality. We tested phytotoxicity, using a germination test, and soil biological properties, namely soil microbial biomass C and soil microbial biomass N, soil basal respiration and several soil enzymes (β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase and phosphomonoesterase) in a soil amended with pruning residues and with biochars prepared at 300 °C and 500 °C from those residues. Moreover, both biochar and pruning residues were divided into finer (2 mm) particles and we studied the effect of adding two different doses of amendments (1 and 3%). Biochar resulted in an increase in the germination index of tomato and lettuce seeds in comparison to pruning residues, while no difference was found for the other plant species tested (watercress and lettuce). Pruning residues showed phytototicity in the tomato germination test. In general, both, pruning residues and the use of amendments with finer size particle resulted in an increase in soil enzyme activity. Our results indicate that soil enzymes are not responsive to the presence of polyphenols and could not be used as suitable indicators of soil quality in soils amended with residues containing polyphenols, while germination tests are more suitable to detect the presence of these toxic compounds.
Chenfei Liang; Gabriel Gascó; Shenglei Fu; Ana Méndez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. Biochar from pruning residues as a soil amendment: Effects of pyrolysis temperature and particle size. Soil and Tillage Research 2015, 164, 3 -10.
AMA StyleChenfei Liang, Gabriel Gascó, Shenglei Fu, Ana Méndez, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. Biochar from pruning residues as a soil amendment: Effects of pyrolysis temperature and particle size. Soil and Tillage Research. 2015; 164 ():3-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChenfei Liang; Gabriel Gascó; Shenglei Fu; Ana Méndez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. 2015. "Biochar from pruning residues as a soil amendment: Effects of pyrolysis temperature and particle size." Soil and Tillage Research 164, no. : 3-10.
Peatlands are crucial sinks for carbon in the terrestrial ecosystem, but they are jeopardized by their use as fuel or as growing media. Much research has been performed aiming to find high quality and low cost substrates from different organic wastes, such as coir, compost, sewage or paper sludges, and thus decrease peat consumption. The main objective of this work is to study the effect on peat and coir-based growing media of deinking sludge (R) and biochar obtained by pyrolysis of deinking sludge at 300 °C (B300). For this reason, mixtures of peat or coir with deinking sludge and corresponding biochar were prepared mixing them at 50/50 v/v ratios. The results showed that it is possible to improve the chemical and hydrophysical properties of peat and coir with addition of biochar and deinking sludge. Indeed, biochar increased air space, water holding capacity and total porosity of peat-based growing media whereas for coir, the best hydrophysical properties were obtained after deinking sludge addition. Finally, the use of biochar plus peat as growing media can increase lettuce yield by more than 100% with respect to peat growing media, which can be related with the improvement of hydrophysical growing media properties. This yield increment along with the reduction of the over-exploitation of peat can justify the use of biochar as growing media in spite of the cost associated to the pyrolysis process.
A. Méndez; J. Paz-Ferreiro; E. Gil; G. Gascó. The effect of paper sludge and biochar addition on brown peat and coir based growing media properties. Scientia Horticulturae 2015, 193, 225 -230.
AMA StyleA. Méndez, J. Paz-Ferreiro, E. Gil, G. Gascó. The effect of paper sludge and biochar addition on brown peat and coir based growing media properties. Scientia Horticulturae. 2015; 193 ():225-230.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Méndez; J. Paz-Ferreiro; E. Gil; G. Gascó. 2015. "The effect of paper sludge and biochar addition on brown peat and coir based growing media properties." Scientia Horticulturae 193, no. : 225-230.
Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; A. Mendez; A. M. Tarquis; Artemi Cerdà; G. Gascó. Preface: Environmental benefits of biochar. Solid Earth 2014, 5, 1301 -1303.
AMA StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro, A. Mendez, A. M. Tarquis, Artemi Cerdà, G. Gascó. Preface: Environmental benefits of biochar. Solid Earth. 2014; 5 (2):1301-1303.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJorge Paz-Ferreiro; A. Mendez; A. M. Tarquis; Artemi Cerdà; G. Gascó. 2014. "Preface: Environmental benefits of biochar." Solid Earth 5, no. 2: 1301-1303.
The effect of biochar on the soil carbon mineralization priming effect depends on the characteristics of the raw materials, production method and pyrolysis conditions. The goal of the present study is to evaluate the impact of three different types of biochar on physicochemical properties and CO2 emissions of a sandy loam soil. For this purpose, soil was amended with three different biochars (BI, BII and BIII) at a rate of 8 wt% and soil CO2 emissions were measured for 45 days. BI is produced from a mixed wood sieving from wood chip production, BII from a mixture of paper sludge and wheat husks and BIII from sewage sludge. Cumulative CO2 emissions of biochars, soil and amended soil were well fit to a simple first-order kinetic model with correlation coefficients (r2) greater than 0.97. Results show a negative priming effect in the soil after addition of BI and a positive priming effect in the case of soil amended with BII and BIII. These results can be related to different biochar properties such as carbon content, carbon aromaticity, volatile matter, fixed carbon, easily oxidized organic carbon or metal and phenolic substance content in addition to surface biochar properties. Three biochars increased the values of soil field capacity and wilting point, while effects over pH and cation exchange capacity were not observed.
P. Cely; A. M. Tarquis; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez; G. Gascó. Factors driving the carbon mineralization priming effect in a sandy loam soil amended with different types of biochar. Solid Earth 2014, 5, 585 -594.
AMA StyleP. Cely, A. M. Tarquis, J. Paz-Ferreiro, A. Méndez, G. Gascó. Factors driving the carbon mineralization priming effect in a sandy loam soil amended with different types of biochar. Solid Earth. 2014; 5 (1):585-594.
Chicago/Turabian StyleP. Cely; A. M. Tarquis; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez; G. Gascó. 2014. "Factors driving the carbon mineralization priming effect in a sandy loam soil amended with different types of biochar." Solid Earth 5, no. 1: 585-594.