Effects of Corn Straw Biochar, Soil Bulk Density and Soil Water Content on Thermal Properties of a Light Sierozem Soil

• Published in: Nature environment and pollution technology Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 895 - 903
• Main Authors: Li, Y. Q., Li, L. J., Zhao, B. W., Zhao, Y., Zhang, X., Dong, X.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karad Technoscience Publications 01.06.2023
• Subjects: biochar, thermal conductivity, heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, light sierozem; Bulk density; Charcoal; Climate change; Corn; Corn straw; Diffusion coefficient; Diffusivity; Greenhouse gases; Heat conductivity; Heat transfer; Influence; Moisture content; Moisture effects; Soil amendment; Soil columns; Soil conductivity; Soil density; Soil moisture; Soil water; Straw; Thermal conductivity; Thermal properties; Thermodynamic properties; Water content; Yard waste; United States > US; China
• ISSN: 2395-3454; 0972-6268; 2395-3454
• DOI: 10.46488/NEPT.2023.v22i02.032

This research aimed to quantify the effects of biochar derived from corn straw on soil thermal conductivity, capacity, and diffusivity. Firstly, the amount of biochar application (w/w) added to light sierozem soil was 0% to 5%, and the mixtures were packed into soil columns at a consistent bulk density (1.20 g.cm-3). Secondly, soil columns with a consistent biochar addition rate (5%) were packed to different bulk densities of 1.30, 1.25, 1.20, 1.15, and 1.10 g.cm-3. Soil thermal characteristics were measured under the control of soil moisture content from 0% to 40%. Under consistent bulk-density conditions, biochar could significantly reduce soil thermal conductivity and diffusivity. Still, there wasn’t a significant influence on soil heat capacity in most soil moisture content levels. With the decrease of soil bulk density, soil thermal conductivity, capacity, and diffusion coefficient reduced significantly. As soil water content increased, all the indexes of thermal properties largely improved, and the effects were much more significant than those of biochar amendment and bulk density change on soil thermal performances. This research could supply an implication to evaluate the influence of biochar amendment on soil thermal performances.