Biochar from commercially cultivated seaweed for soil amelioration

D A Roberts; Nicholas A Paul; S A Dworjanyn; M I Bird; R De Nys

doi:10.1038/srep09665

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Biochar from commercially cultivated seaweed for soil amelioration

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Biochar from commercially cultivated seaweed for soil amelioration

D A Roberts, Nicholas A Paul, S A Dworjanyn, M I Bird and R De Nys

Scientific Reports, Vol.5, 9665

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep09665

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Abstract

Seaweed cultivation is a high growth industry that is primarily targeted at human food and hydrocolloid markets. However, seaweed biomass also offers a feedstock for the production of nutrient-rich biochar for soil amelioration. We provide the first data of biochar yield and characteristics from intensively cultivated seaweeds (Saccharina, Undaria and Sargassum - brown seaweeds, and Gracilaria, Kappaphycus and Eucheuma - red seaweeds). While there is some variability in biochar properties as a function of the origin of seaweed, there are several defining and consistent characteristics of seaweed biochar, in particular a relatively low C content and surface area but high yield, essential trace elements (N, P and K) and exchangeable cations (particularly K). The pH of seaweed biochar ranges from neutral (7) to alkaline (11), allowing for broad-spectrum applications in diverse soil types. We find that seaweed biochar is a unique material for soil amelioration that is consistently different to biochar derived from ligno-cellulosic feedstock. Blending of seaweed and ligno-cellulosic biochar could provide a soil ameliorant that combines a high fixed C content with a mineral-rich substrate to enhance crop productivity.

Details

Title: Biochar from commercially cultivated seaweed for soil amelioration
Authors: D A Roberts (Author) - James Cook University
Nicholas A Paul (Author) - James Cook University
S A Dworjanyn (Author) - Southern Cross University
M I Bird (Author) - James Cook University
R De Nys (Author) - James Cook University
Publication details: Scientific Reports, Vol.5, 9665; 6
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.1038/srep09665
ISSN: 2045-2322
Copyright note: Copyright © 2015 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder in order to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451189802621
Output Type: Journal article