Investigating the Impacts of Biochar Amendment and Soil Compaction on Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties of Silty Sand
The application of biochar as an environmentally friendly additive for agricultural soils has recently gained significant attention. However, the influence of biochar addition on unsaturated hydraulic behavior at high suction ranges (i.e., exceeding 100 kPa) remains largely understudied. This study...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/7/1845 |
| _version_ | 1827734340931420160 |
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| author | Zhongkui Chen Viroon Kamchoom Rui Chen Lapyote Prasittisopin |
| author_facet | Zhongkui Chen Viroon Kamchoom Rui Chen Lapyote Prasittisopin |
| author_sort | Zhongkui Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The application of biochar as an environmentally friendly additive for agricultural soils has recently gained significant attention. However, the influence of biochar addition on unsaturated hydraulic behavior at high suction ranges (i.e., exceeding 100 kPa) remains largely understudied. This study investigates the impact of biochar addition on the unsaturated hydraulic properties of biochar amended soil (BAS). The effects of biochar content, particle size, and soil compaction on the unsaturated hydraulic properties of BAS were also considered. Peanut shell biochar was utilized in this investigation and was amended into a compacted silty sand with distinct particle size groups. Soil water retention curves and unsaturated permeability were measured through a series of evaporation tests. Results demonstrate that the impact of soil compaction on the unsaturated hydraulic properties of BAS diminishes at high suction range, regardless of biochar particle size and content. A high degree of compaction reduces the saturated permeability of BAS by minimising soil macropores. On the other hand, incorporating high biochar contents with fine particles into the soil enhances the reduction of unsaturated permeability and the improvement of water holding capacity, thereby making biochar an effective application in soil for sustainability of the agroecological environment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:23:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d36ef10cf18d44e2aa3edef7e337f260 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:23:55Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-d36ef10cf18d44e2aa3edef7e337f2602023-11-18T17:57:04ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952023-07-01137184510.3390/agronomy13071845Investigating the Impacts of Biochar Amendment and Soil Compaction on Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties of Silty SandZhongkui Chen0Viroon Kamchoom1Rui Chen2Lapyote Prasittisopin3Shenzhen Yanzhi Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518101, ChinaExcellent Centre for Green and Sustainable Infrastructure, School of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, ThailandSchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, ChinaDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Phaya Thai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, ThailandThe application of biochar as an environmentally friendly additive for agricultural soils has recently gained significant attention. However, the influence of biochar addition on unsaturated hydraulic behavior at high suction ranges (i.e., exceeding 100 kPa) remains largely understudied. This study investigates the impact of biochar addition on the unsaturated hydraulic properties of biochar amended soil (BAS). The effects of biochar content, particle size, and soil compaction on the unsaturated hydraulic properties of BAS were also considered. Peanut shell biochar was utilized in this investigation and was amended into a compacted silty sand with distinct particle size groups. Soil water retention curves and unsaturated permeability were measured through a series of evaporation tests. Results demonstrate that the impact of soil compaction on the unsaturated hydraulic properties of BAS diminishes at high suction range, regardless of biochar particle size and content. A high degree of compaction reduces the saturated permeability of BAS by minimising soil macropores. On the other hand, incorporating high biochar contents with fine particles into the soil enhances the reduction of unsaturated permeability and the improvement of water holding capacity, thereby making biochar an effective application in soil for sustainability of the agroecological environment.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/7/1845peanut shell biocharcompacted silty sandevaporation methodsoil water retention curveunsaturated permeability |
| spellingShingle | Zhongkui Chen Viroon Kamchoom Rui Chen Lapyote Prasittisopin Investigating the Impacts of Biochar Amendment and Soil Compaction on Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties of Silty Sand Agronomy peanut shell biochar compacted silty sand evaporation method soil water retention curve unsaturated permeability |
| title | Investigating the Impacts of Biochar Amendment and Soil Compaction on Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties of Silty Sand |
| title_full | Investigating the Impacts of Biochar Amendment and Soil Compaction on Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties of Silty Sand |
| title_fullStr | Investigating the Impacts of Biochar Amendment and Soil Compaction on Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties of Silty Sand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating the Impacts of Biochar Amendment and Soil Compaction on Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties of Silty Sand |
| title_short | Investigating the Impacts of Biochar Amendment and Soil Compaction on Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties of Silty Sand |
| title_sort | investigating the impacts of biochar amendment and soil compaction on unsaturated hydraulic properties of silty sand |
| topic | peanut shell biochar compacted silty sand evaporation method soil water retention curve unsaturated permeability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/7/1845 |
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