Feasibility of Nitrogen-Enriched Chars as Circular Fertilizers

Abstract

Purpose: Charred materials are low in bioavailable nitrogen (N) due to gaseous losses and the formation of recalcitrant structures during pyrolysis. Enriching chars with N from wastewaters offers a possibility to upgrade the agronomic value of the chars and manage the liquids. For assessing the practical feasibility of the approach, more information on the extent of the retention and release of the loaded N is needed. Methods: The ammonium-N (NH4-N) retention capacity of chars derived from sewage sludge (SS_A-C), Salix wood (SA), broiler manure (BR) and coal (LG85) was determined via equilibrations in solutions containing 400, 1500 and 5000 mg NH4-N L−1. Plant availability of the loaded N in SS_C, SA and BR was studied in a pot experiment with ryegrass. Results: Differences in the total N retention of moist chars were small. The amount of N retained increased with increase in the solution N and was at the highest 2–4 g NH4-N L−1 char. In four consecutive ryegrass harvests, the apparent N recoveries were 67, 47 and 34% for SA, BR and SS_C treatments. No slow release of N was observed. Conclusion: Considering crop production, the amounts of N retained within the studied chars in bioavailable form were small. Chars with a higher N retention capacity would be needed for an efficient cascade from water purification to fertilizer use. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].