1st International Conference of Soil and Agriculture:
TOWARDS SOIL SUSTAINABILITY
11–13 June 2024 • Lublin–Nałęczów, Poland

https://doi.org/10.24326/ICSA1.PP.18
Published online: 4 October 2024

Assessment of the impact of the dose and temperature of biochar production from sewage sludge on the nutrient content in sandy soil and in chernozem
Justyna Kujawska*

Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 40B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author:

Abstract
The sustainable management of sewage sludge and the enhancement of soil fertility are crucial challenges in environmental and agricultural sciences. Biochar, a carbon-rich product derived from the pyrolysis of organic materials, has been identified as a promising amendment that can improve soil properties and increase crop productivity. However, the effects of biochar’s physicochemical properties, which vary with production temperature and application dosage, on different soil types remain inadequately explored. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing how different doses and temperatures of biochar production from sewage sludge affect the nutrient content in sandy soil and chernozem. We hypothesized that higher production temperatures and optimal biochar dosages would enhance nutrient retention and availability in these soils. To test this hypothesis, biochar was produced from sewage sludge at four pyrolysis temperatures (400°C, 500°C, 600°C, 800°C) and incorporated into the soils at dosages of 5, 10, 20, 40 t/ha by weight. The research was conducted in laboratory conditions in a phytotron with constant humidity and temperature conditions. The experiment was conducted for 6 weeks, with measurements taken once a week. The key soil parameters measured included pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and nitrogen (N) content, and nutrients: phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium. Results demonstrated that higher pyrolysis temperature and a higher dose of biochar usually lead to improvement of some soil quality indicators, such as organic carbon content, pH, EC and the content of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. The study concludes that there is no one “optimal” dose and temperature, because it depends on the specific needs of soil and crops. As for these results, a dose of 40 t/ha at 400°C for chernozem soil seems to be very effective in terms of increasing TOC, pH, EC, P-PO₄ and N%, which suggests that this may be an optimal dose for this type soil. For sand soil, doses and temperatures that increase pH and EC without excessive increasing one ingredient, may be more desirable. This research provides a practical framework for the application of biochar in agriculture, promoting its role in sustainable soil management and environmental conservation.
This research was funded in whole or in part by National Science Centre, Poland, Miniatura 7 (DEC-2023/07/X/ST10/00655). For the purpose of Open Access, the author has applied a CC-BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) version arising from this submission.

Keywords: biochar, sewage sludge, soil nutrient enhancement, soil fertility, waste management

How to cite
Kujawska J., 2024. Assessment of the impact of the dose and temperature of biochar production from sewage sludge on the nutrient content in sandy soil and in chernozem. 1st International Conference of Soil and Agriculture: Towards Soil Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICSA1.PP.18