Nitrate and Dissolved Organic Carbon Release in Sandy Soils at Different Liquid/Solid Ratios Amended with Graphene and Classical Soil Improvers

This study emphasizes the importance of employing parallel batch tests with different liquid/solid (L/S) ratios to assess their dissolution mechanisms. Changes in physicochemical parameters (electrical conductivity, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential), as well as the sorption/desorption of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate (NO3-) due to graphene addition in a calcareous sandy soil (CS) and in a siliciclastic riverine sandy soil (SS) were assessed via batch experiments at different L/S ratios. Graphene's production is growing at a great pace, so it's important to test methods to reuse graphene wastes. The results of soil batch experiments mixed with graphene were compared with classical soil improvers (compost, biochar, and zeolites). The batches were performed using the saturation soil extraction method with deionized water as a proxy of rainwater. The contact time was 48 h. At the end of the experiment, water samples were collected to be analyzed for NO3-, DOC, DIC, Ca, and Mg. Graphene did not alter the physiochemical parameters of both soils. Moreover, its addition did not trigger any NO3- increase respect to control and to other improvers. Biochar increased EC and pH beyond recommended limits for most crops' growth in both soils. As expected, compost addition produced the highest NO3- release.

Automated summary

This study highlights the importance of using parallel batch tests with different liquid/solid ratios to assess the dissolution mechanisms of graphene in soils. The results showed that graphene did not alter the physicochemical parameters of soils and did not trigger an increase in nitrate concentration. Compared to other soil improvers, graphene performed well in terms of its effects on soils.