Rapid Simulation of Decade-Scale Charcoal Aging in Soil: Changes in Physicochemical Properties and Their Environmental Implications

In situ aging can change biochar properties, influencing their ecosystem benefits or risks over time. However, there is a lack of field verification of laboratory methods that attempt simulation of long-term natural aging of biochar. We exploited a decade-scale natural charcoal (a proxy for biochar) aging event to determine which lab-aging methods best mimicked field aging. We oxidized charcoal by ultraviolet A radiation (UVA), H2O2, or monochloramine (NH2Cl), and compared it to 10-year field-aged charcoal. We considered seven selected charcoal properties related to surface chemistry and organic matter release, and found that oxidation with 30% H2O2 most representatively simulated 10-year field aging for six out of seven properties. UVA aging failed to approximate oxidation levels while showing a distinctive dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release pattern. NH2Cl-aged charcoal was the most different, showing an increased persistent free radical (PFR) concentration and lower hydrophilicity. All lab oxidation techniques overpredicted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon release. The O/C ratio was well-correlated with DOC release, PFR concentration, surface charge, and charcoal pH, indicating the possibility to accurately predict biochar aging with a reduced suite of physicochemical properties. Overall, our rapid and verified lab-aging methods facilitate research toward derisking and enhancing long-term benefits of biochar application.

Automated summary

This study compared different laboratory aging methods to simulate biochar aging using a decade-scale natural charcoal aging event. The results showed that oxidation with 30% H2O2 most accurately simulated most properties of ten-year field aging. UVA aging and NH2Cl aging showed distinct differences compared to field aging. By reducing the number of measured physicochemical properties, biochar aging can be accurately predicted.