Effect of Biochar Type and Amendment Rates on Soil Physicochemical Properties: Potential Application in Bioengineered Structures

Abstract

Abstract Biochar has recently gained attention as a potential soil amendment for its usage in bioengineered structures, e.g., landfill cover system, green slopes, green corridor, etc., that usually comprises compacted soil with vegetation. In literature, many studies have explored the effect of biochar sourced from plant (agri-residues, wood)- and animal-based biomass on physicochemical properties of soil suitable for agricultural application. However, systematic study rarely has been conducted for soil suitable for bioengineered structures, and contradictory results have been reported. The objective of the present study is to explore the effects of biochar produced from different feedstock types (poultry litter, water hyacinth, and sawdust) on physicochemical properties of soil for bioengineered structures application. The results revealed that the amendment of biochar increased the liquid limit (14–52 %), plastic limit (PL, 2–66 %), optimum moisture content (OMC, 4–50 %), pH (29–59 %), cation exchange capacity (20–428 %), and water absorption capacity (12–94 %), whereas it decreased the maximum dry density (7–17 %), specific gravity (3–17 %), and shrinkage area ratio (SAR, 22–57 %) of the soil. Among the different biochar types tested, water hyacinth biochar (WHB) exhibited the highest increase in PL, OMC, and pH, and decrease in specific gravity and SAR of the soil after amendment, whereas poultry litter biochar showed the lowest variation of the same. These changes in the soil physicochemical properties after biochar amendment are likely attributed to the presence of intrapores and active chemicals in biochar, which are highly dependent on feedstock types. The findings of the present study could be useful in understanding the hydro-mechanical and plant interaction of biochar-amended soil (BAS), and potential implementation of BAS in bioengineered structures.