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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Effects of Biochar and Charcoal on Soil-Hydraulic Properties
Haimanote K. Bayabil1*, Johannes C. Lehmann2, Birru Yitaferu3, Cathelijne
Stoof1, and Tammo S. Steenhuis1
1 Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14850, USA.
2Department of Crop and Soil Science, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 1850, USA. 3 Soil and Water Research
Directorate, Amhara Region Agricultural Research Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC) Science WorkshopAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9–10 July 2013
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Introduction
Agri. Productivity
• Scarce and expensive
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Biochar-Charcoal Amendments
Soil
Physic
al
Hydraulic
Chemical
Soil
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Impacts on Soil Moisture
Coarse
CLAY
SAND
Soil Moisture
Fine
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Objectives
1. To assess dominant soil physical & hydraulic properties in the watershed
2. To evaluate the effects of biochar and charcoal amendments on permeability and moisture retention characteristics of drying soils.
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Study Site Location:10o40' N/37o31’E Area is 113.4 ha Elevation:2407–2507m
Data Sources 1. Field Measurements
Infiltration, Soil depth
2. Laboratory tests
Texture, BD, OC, & pH
3. Column Experiments
54 soil-cores (30 cm length and 12 cm height)
Two Biochar and Three Charcoal treatments @ 5g/kg soil
4. Five year event precipitation data (1989-1993)
Methodology
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Field Soil Properties
Results & Discussion
Clay=42%OC =1.1%
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Precipitation & Infiltration Rate
21%
<15min & 6.3mm/h = 68%
Av. Precipitation = 1616mm/yr fs => 1.9-36.4mm/h
(CV= 70%)
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Waterlogging Issues
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Treatments Effect on Soil Moisture Retention
Columns with diff letters are sign at (p<0.05).
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Treatments Effect Available Water Content (AWC)
* Treatment differences were not significant (p>0.05)
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Treatments Effect on Hydraulic Conductivity (Kr)
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Possible Mechanisms ?? Macropore formation
Clay Flocculation
*pHCa2+ Mg2+ K+ Na+
MCAR SAR
(CmolC/Kg)
Biochar Corn 9.4 36.59 66.93 65.92 4.83 31.10 2.13Oak 7.5 5.12 0.21 4.27 1.00 10.20 1.93
Charcoal Acacia 8.2 0.08 0.10 0.15 0.01 1.77 0.13
Eucalyp 8.7 0.07 0.01 0.13 0.03 2.47 0.40
Hydrophobicity
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Conclusion
1. Biochar and Charcoal improve hydraulic property (permeability) of degraded soils with waterlogging issues
2. Considering soil physical & hydraulic properties is crucial for effective soil & water management planning.
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Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Ongoing Research
Funding ─Norman Borlaug International Science & Technology Fellowship (LEAP)─Higher Education for Development (HED)
GHGRunoff & Erosion