Assessment of Hydrophilic Biochar Effect on Sandy Soil Water Retention

Abstract:

This paper reports studies to investigate the relationships between hydrophobicity of biochar surface and soil water retention. The studied biochars were produced from acacia wood, cashew wood and bamboo. The resulting materials were oxidized via liquid oxidation to generate hydrophilic biochars containing oxygenated functional groups on the surface. All biochars were characterized and their ability as soil additives to enhance water retention was assessed. Our results suggest that hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of biochars is not the major factor governing water retention ability of this particular soil. However, hydrophilicity of biochar helps improve soil permeability by providing better wettability to the soil.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 751)
• Pages: 790-795
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.751.790
• Online since: August 2017
• Authors: Ramida Rattanakam*, Pinitpon Pituya, Mantana Suwan, Sitthisuntorn Supothina
• Keywords: Biochar, FTIR, Hydrophilicity, Water Retention

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