Cited by 517Thermochemical Biomass Conversion ProcessesSoil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsAdsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal

Use of Chemical and Physical Characteristics To Investigate Trends in Biochar Feedstocks

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Mukome, Fungai N. D., Zhang, Xiaoming, Silva, Lucas C. R., Six, Johan, Parikh, Sanjai J.·2013·Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Abstract

Studies have shown that pyrolysis method and temperature are the key factors influencing biochar chemical and physical properties; however, information on the nature of biochar feedstocks is more accessible to consumers, making feedstock a better measure for selecting biochars. This study characterizes physical and chemical properties of commercially available biochars and investigates trends in biochar properties related to feedstock material to develop guidelines for biochar use. Twelve biochars were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. Compiled data from this study and from the literature (n = 85) were used to investigate trends in biochar characteristics related to feedstock. Analysis of compiled data reveals that despite clear differences in biochar properties from feedstocks of algae, grass, manure, nutshells, pomace, and wood (hard- and softwoods), characteristic generalizations can be made. Feedstock was a better predictor of biochar ash content and C/N ratio, but surface area was also temperature dependent for wood-derived biochar. Significant differences in ash content (grass and manure > wood) and C/N ratio (softwoods > grass and manure) enabled the first presentation of guidelines for biochar use based on feedstock material.

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Crossref · 10.1021/jf3049142

Cites

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  • Biochar pH correlated best with O content (R2 = 0.7), corroborating previous findings that biochar basicity resulted from oxygen-rich functional groups such as c-pyrone-type, chromene, diketone, or quinine groups.

    “Mukome et al. (2013) shows that biochar pH correlated best with O content (R 2 = 0.7), corroborating previous findings that biochar basicity resulted from oxygenrich functional groups such as c-pyrone-type, chromene, diketone, or quinine groups (Montes-Mora ´n et al. 2004).”

    From Biochar physicochemical properties: pyrolysis temperature and feedstock kind effects (2020) · cites this paper as Mukome et al. 2013

    The Discussion says biochar pH correlated best with O content and links basicity to oxygen-rich functional groups, corroborating previous findings. However, it prints the correlation value as R2 = −0.72, not the positive 0.7 stated in the citing sentence. Page numbers are not available in the supplied copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Non-wood-derived biochars had increased CEC and surface acidity when compared to the wood biochars.

    “Non-wood-derived biochars had increased CEC and surface acidity when compared to the wood biochars (Mukome et al. 2013).”

    From Biochar physicochemical properties: pyrolysis temperature and feedstock kind effects (2020) · cites this paper as Mukome et al. 2013

    In Results > Biochar Characterization, the paper reports higher CEC and surface acidity for biochars with added enhancers, such as algae or beneficial soil microorganisms, compared with wood biochars. It does not make that finding for non-wood-derived biochars generally; the same passage says CEC did not distinctly separate wood- and non-wood-derived groups. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Non-wood-derived biochars have higher pH values (about 3.4 units).

    “Mukome et al. (2013) reported that non-wood-derived biochars have higher pH values (about 3.4 units).”

    From Biochar physicochemical properties: pyrolysis temperature and feedstock kind effects (2020) · cites this paper as Mukome et al. 2013

    The Results (Biochar Characterization; page unavailable) explicitly state that non-wood-derived biochars have higher pH values. They give an overall pH range of 6.8–10.9 but do not report a difference of about 3.4 pH units between the groups. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Manure and grass biochars typically have higher ash contents due to presence of silica from soil contamination.

    “Manure and grass biochars typically have higher ash contents due to the presence of silica from soil contamination”

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Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [12]Brewer CE Schmidt-Rohr K Satrio JA Brown RC Characterization of Biochar from Fast Pyrolysis and Gasification Systems Wiley New York 2009 28 386 396
  2. [38]Stevenson FJ Cole MA Cycles of Soil – Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Micronutrients Wiley New York 1999

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Authors
Mukome, F. N. D., Zhang, X., Silva, L. C. R., Six, J., & Parikh, S. J.
Affiliations
  • University of California, Davis (US)
  • ETH Zurich (CH)
Corresponding author
Parikh, Sanjai J.
Venue
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Published
2013-02-19
Volume
61
Issue
9
Pages
2196-2204
ISSN
  • 0021-8561 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5118
OpenAlex
W2089663920
Cited by
517
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 42 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 3
FWCI
13.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • University of California, Davis
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P42ES004699)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal
Keywords
biochar, biochar feedstock, feedstock characterization, ash content, C/N ratio, surface area, wood biochar, manure, nut shells, pomace, algae, pyrolysis temperature
MeSH terms
Agriculture, Charcoal, Fertilizers, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Soil, Wood, Chemical Phenomena

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