Elevation of biochar application as regulator on denitrification/NH3 volatilization in saline soils

Denitrification and NH3 volatilization are the main removal processes of nitrogen in coastal saline soils. In this incubation study, the effects of wheat straw biochar application at rates of 0, 2, 5, 10 and 15% by weight to saline soil with two salt gradients of 0 and 1 parts per thousand on denitrification and NH3 volatilization were investigated. The results showed that the denitrification rates with 2, 5 and 10% biochar amendments decreased by 25.26, 33.07 and 17.50%, respectively, under salt-free conditions, and the denitrification rates with 2 and 5% biochar amendments under 1 parts per thousand salt conditions decreased by 17.74 and 17.39%, respectively. However, the NH3 volatilization rates increased by 8.05-61.73% after biochar application. The path analysis revealed the interactions of overlying water-sediment system environmental factors in biochar-amended saline soils and their roles in denitrification and NH3 volatilization. Environmental factors in sediment exerted much greater control over denitrification than those in overlying water. In addition, environmental factors exhibited an indirect negative influence on denitrification by negatively influencing the abundance of the nosZ gene. The comprehensive effects of the environmental factors in overlying water on NH3 volatilization were greater than those in sediment. The NH4+-N content, pH of overlying water and sediment salinity were the main controlling factors for NH3 volatilization in saline soils. Biochar application effectively regulated the denitrification rate by changing the environmental factors and denitrifying functional gene abundance, but its application posed a risk of increased NH3 volatilization mainly by increasing NH4+-N, EC and pH in overlying water.

Automated summary

The study investigated the effects of wheat straw biochar application on denitrification and NH3 volatilization in coastal saline soils. Results showed that biochar amendment decreased denitrification rates but increased NH3 volatilization rates. Sediment environmental factors had a greater control over denitrification, while overlying water environmental factors had a greater influence on NH3 volatilization. Overall, biochar application effectively regulated denitrification but posed a risk of increased NH3 volatilization.