Engineered biochar effects on soil physicochemical properties and biota communities: A critical review

Hui Tang; Miao Chen; Pan Wu; Muhammad Faheem; Qianwei Feng; Xinqing Lee; Shengsen Wang; Bing Wang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137025

Engineered biochar effects on soil physicochemical properties and biota communities: A critical review

Chemosphere. 2023 Jan;311(Pt 2):137025. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137025. Epub 2022 Oct 27.

Authors

Hui Tang¹, Miao Chen¹, Pan Wu², Muhammad Faheem³, Qianwei Feng¹, Xinqing Lee⁴, Shengsen Wang⁵, Bing Wang⁶

Affiliations

¹ College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China.
² College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China.
³ Department of Civil Infrastructure and Environment Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550081, China.
⁵ College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225127, China.
⁶ College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China. Electronic address: bwang6@gzu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36374784
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137025

Abstract

Biochar can be effectively used in soil amendment, environmental remediation as well as carbon sequestration. However, some inherent characteristics of pristine biochars (PBCs) may limit their environmental applications. To improve the physicochemical properties of PBCs and their effects on soil amendment and pollution remediation, appropriate modification methods are needed. Engineered biochars (EBCs) inevitably have a series of effects on soil physicochemical properties and soil biota after being applied to the soil. Currently, most studies focus on the effects of PBCs on soil physicochemical properties and their amendment and remediation effects, while relatively limited studies are available on the impacts of EBCs on soil properties and biota communities. Due to the differences of biochars modified by various methods on soil physicochemical properties and biota communities, the impact mechanisms are different. For a better understanding of the recent advances in the effects of EBCs on soil physicochemical properties and biota communities, a systematic review is highly needed. In this review, the development of EBCs is firstly introduced, and the effects of EBCs on soil physicochemical properties and biota communities are then systematically explored. Finally, the suggestions and perspectives for future research on EBCs are put forward.

Keywords: Engineered biochar; Microbial community; Soil fauna; Soil property.

Publication types

Review