Effect of biochar on transformation of dissolved organic matter and DTPA-extractable Cu and Cd during sediment composting

This study investigated the influence of biochar on temperature, pH, organic matter (OM), seed germination index (GI), the fluorescent components of dissolved organic matter (DOM), and bioavailability of DTPA-extractable Cu and Cd during composting and analyzed the relation between DTPA-extractable metals with pH, OM, and the fluorescent components of DOM. Results showed that the addition of biochar shortened the thermophilic phase, reduced the pH at maturation period, accelerated the decomposition of OM, and raised GI. Besides, it promoted the formation of components with benzene ring in FA and HyI and the degradation of protein-like organic-matters in FA and HA, which was mainly related with the decrease of DTPA-extractable Cd and the increase of DTPA-extractable Cu. After composting, DTPA-extractable Cd in pile A and pile B were decreased by 37.15% and 27.54%, respectively, while the bioavailability of Cu in pile A and pile B was increased by 65.71% and 68.70%, respectively. All these findings demonstrate positive and negative impact produced by biochar into various heavy metals and the necessary of optimization measures with biochar in sediment composting.

Automated summary

This study found that adding biochar can shorten the thermophilic phase of composting, lower the pH at maturation period, accelerate the decomposition of organic matter, and increase seed germination index. Additionally, biochar promotes the formation of components with benzene ring and the degradation of protein-like organic matters, which is correlated with the levels of DTPA-extractable heavy metals.