Evaluation of the Impact of Activated Biochar-Manure Compost Pellet Fertilizer on Volatile Organic Compound Emissions and Heavy Metal Saturation

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 29;19(19):12405. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191912405.

Abstract

For this experiment, pelletized activated biochar made of rice hullsor palm bark with swine manure compost was prepared to demonstrate the significant benefits of applying activated biochar-manure compost pellet fertilizer (ABMCP) inmitigating volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odor emission, and heavy metal saturation. Morphology and surface area analysis indicated that the activated rice hull biochar-manure compost pellet (ARP) had a significantly lower surface area, porous volume, and Fe content the activated palm biochar-manure compost pellet (APP). However, the ARP presented great potential to mitigate VOCs and odorant emissions. Our results indicated that the ARP reduced total reduced sulfur (TRS) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) emissions by 69% and 93%, respectively. Heavy metals such as Pb, As, and Cd were not detected in the leachates fromthe ARP, APP, and swine manure compost. These results suggest that ABMCP can be a potential adsorbent to control VOCs and odorant emissions andpromote sustainable swine manure management and agricultural application.

Keywords: VOCs; activated biochar; heavy metals; odor emissions; pelletize; sustainability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadmium
  • Charcoal
  • Composting*
  • Fertilizers
  • Lead
  • Manure
  • Metals, Heavy* / analysis
  • Soil
  • Sulfur
  • Swine
  • Volatile Organic Compounds*

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Manure
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Soil
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • biochar
  • Cadmium
  • Charcoal
  • Lead
  • Sulfur

Grants and funding

This research is funded by the Research Program of the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea (project no. PJ017058032022).