Dissolved organic matter characterization of biochars produced from different feedstock materials

Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha; Yong Sik Ok; Ali El-Naggar; Hyojeon Kim; Fanhao Song; Seoktae Kang; Yiu Fai Tsang

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.12.069

Dissolved organic matter characterization of biochars produced from different feedstock materials

J Environ Manage. 2019 Mar 1:233:393-399. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.12.069. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Authors

Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha¹, Yong Sik Ok², Ali El-Naggar³, Hyojeon Kim⁴, Fanhao Song⁵, Seoktae Kang⁶, Yiu Fai Tsang⁷

Affiliations

¹ Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, 10250, Sri Lanka.
² Korea Biochar Research Center, O-Jeong Eco-Resilience Institute (OJERI) & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
³ Korea Biochar Research Center, O-Jeong Eco-Resilience Institute (OJERI) & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11241, Egypt.
⁴ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Republic of Korea.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁶ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Republic of Korea. Electronic address: stkang@kaist.ac.kr.
⁷ Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Electronic address: tsangyf@eduhk.hk.

PMID: 30590268
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.12.069

Abstract

Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) enables better understanding of the nature of dissolved organic matter (DOM). In the current study, we characterized 10 biochar samples produced from different feedstocks using EEM/PARAFAC analysis. The composition and distribution of DOM substances present in biochar varied significantly according to feedstock, activation, and pyrolysis temperature. The integration of proximate and ultimate analyses of the solid phase together with water extractable organic matter (WEOM) phase of biochar provided new insights into the characterization of biochars, including nature and functionality. Characterization of both WEOM and solid phases is recommended for biochar research before large-scale production for various environmental and industrial applications.

Keywords: Biochar; Dissolved organic matter; EEM spectra; PARAFAC.

MeSH terms

Charcoal*
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Humic Substances*
Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

Humic Substances
biochar
Charcoal