Assessment of the fertilizer potential of biochars produced from slow pyrolysis of biosolid and animal manures

Excessive amounts of animal manures and production a large volume biosolids pose serious environmental issues in terms their safe disposal management. Thermochemical treatment bio-waste materials via pyrolysis can convert them into value-added products such as biochar-based fertilizers. In this study, fourteen biochars were produced from one biosolid thirteen by slow at 300 °C. All feedstock biochar samples characterized determining the yield, physicochemical surface properties, including C-containing functional groups. Principal component cluster analyses used to classify feedstock/biochar based on mineral constituents. The yield various feedstocks ranged 39 81%, with highest for grain-fed cow manure. N K content was found chicken manure (57.8 29.2 g kg–1, respectively), while P (40.5 kg–1). specific area 96.06–110.83 m2 g−1. Hierarchical chemical compositions enabled grouping respectively four five distinguished clusters. Three principal components (PC) explained 86.8% 83.3% variances biochars, respectively. PC1 represented major nutrients (N, K), whereas PC2 PC3 other (secondary micronutrients) contents properties (pH EC). results study suggested that different may potentially be source soil trace elements. addition, applied nutrient-deficient soils avoid plausible nutrient toxic element contamination.