Evaluation of pig manure for environmental or agricultural applications through gasification and soil leaching experiments

Abstract

The current study aimed at evaluating an untreated pig manure, firstly for its suitability for soil amendment in combination with an agricultural/bio-solid biochar, and secondly for its potential to be used for adsorption of hazardous species, replacing expensive activated carbons. Column soil leaching experiments were designed to simulate field conditions, and physical, chemical and mineralogical analyses were performed for raw materials and/or leachates. For activated carbon production, the manure was gasified by steam or carbon dioxide at high temperatures. Biochars were analyzed for organic and mineral matter, structural characteristics and organic functional groups. Activation by steam or carbon dioxide greatly enhanced specific surface area, reaching values of 231.4 and 233.3 m2/g, respectively. Application of manure to the soil promoted leaching of nitrates and phosphates and raised COD values of water extracts. Biochar addition retained these ions and reduced COD values up to 10 times at the end of the three-month period. The concentrations of heavy metals in the leachates were low and, in the presence of biochar in soil blends, they were significantly reduced by 50–70%. The manure presents a significant potential for adsorption of various pollutants or improvement of soil amendment if carefully managed.