The spatiotemporal heterogeneity of fertosphere hotspots impacted by biochar addition and the implications for NH3 and N2O emissions

Abstract

The fertosphere, as the interfaces between fertilizer granular and soil particles, represents a key hotspot for nitrogen transformation processes, particularly for ammonia (NH₃) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Understanding the heterogeneity of the fertosphere, especially when incorporating organic amendments like biochars, is crucial for predicting NH₃ and N₂O emissions after soil fertilization. In this study, we investigated the effects of three types of biochar (pristine, aged, and acid-washed biochar) on heterogeneity of fertosphere induced by localized urea application. pH-specific planar optodes were employed to visualize pH gradients in fertosphere hotspots with high spatial and temporal resolution. In addition, we conducted thorough measurements of the gradient distribution of electric conductivity (EC), mineral N, aqueous NH₃ in soil and enzyme activities relevant to nitrification. Concurrently, NH₃ and N₂O emissions from the soil were continuously monitored at a high temporal resolution. Initially, urea-induced fertosphere exhibited significant NH₃ emissions, primarily attributed to the pH elevation resulting from urea hydrolysis. However, after 6 days, NH₃ emissions subsided, and there was a notable sharp increase in N₂O emissions. Importantly, compared to urea application alone, the inclusion of pristine biochar led to a delay in soil pH decline with a 19% rise in NH₃ emission. Aged biochar, characterized by a higher content of oxygen functional groups, demonstrated increased NH₄⁺/NH₃ adsorption capacity and enhanced ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) activity in soil, resulting in an 18% reduction in NH₃ emission. While a slight decrease of 5% in NH₃ cumulative emission was observed in the acid-washed biochar treatment. Notably, biochar could potentially promote nitrification-derived N₂O emissions due to the accumulation of NH₃ oxidation products (NH₂OH). These findings could contribute to refining N transformation models for fertilized soils, and optimizing N fertilizer application strategies.

Keywords: Biochar; Fertosphere; Heterogeneity; N(2)O emission; NH(3) emission.