Utilization of biochar amendment for reduction of dissolved organic carbon in runoff water from soils covered with plant residue

Surface cover of soils with plant residue such as straw is known to be an efficient method to reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss from soils. However, from my previous research, it was revealed that surface cover reduced soil erosion and loss of nitrogen and phosphorous but increased loss of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) due to decomposition of the plant residue. As loss of DOC not only hampers soil conditions but also causes water pollution, it is necessary to develop a method to reduce DOC loss from the soils with surface cover. In this project, I will use biochar, which has a great capacity to sorb and immobilize DOC, as a soil amendment in combination with surface cover to reduce DOC loss. For the objective, I will conduct a series of experiments that include determination of the capacity of biochar to sorb DOC and investigation of the changes in DOC concentration in the soils amended with biochar in the presence and absence of plant material (surface cover) in the lab. I expect that the results of this research should contribute to increase in the efficiency of surface cover to reduce soil, carbon, and nutrient loss from soils.

Faculty Supervisor:

Scott Chang

Student:

Partner:

Chonnam National University

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Environmental Science and Technology; Agriculture and Food; Water

University:

University of Alberta

Program: