<p>Mean ± standard error (n = 3). Results of the comparison between control and charcoal he... more <p>Mean ± standard error (n = 3). Results of the comparison between control and charcoal hearth (p-value) are also reported.</p
<p>Parameters, coefficients and variables used to distinguish and quantify the different ca... more <p>Parameters, coefficients and variables used to distinguish and quantify the different carbon pools in charcoal soil layer (means ± standard error, n = 3).</p
<p>Parameters, coefficients and variables used to estimate charcoal stability in soil (mean... more <p>Parameters, coefficients and variables used to estimate charcoal stability in soil (mean ± standard error; n = 3).</p
<p>Total and available nutrient concentrations (mg kg<sup>−1</sup> dry matter ±... more <p>Total and available nutrient concentrations (mg kg<sup>−1</sup> dry matter ± standard error; n = 3) measured in control soils, charcoal hearths, old and new charcoal fragments and larch wood.</p
<p>Wood samples were collected in close proximity to the hearths. Charcoal was produced in ... more <p>Wood samples were collected in close proximity to the hearths. Charcoal was produced in a muffle furnace at 400°, 500° 600° and 860°C. Dashed lines represent 95% confidence interval. (Y = 26.9+0.15 X-9.2 10<sup>−5</sup> X<sup>2</sup>; r<sup>2</sup> = 0.94; p<0.0001).</p
Soil is an ecological system and a phylogenetic organism that evolved in response to stimuli and ... more Soil is an ecological system and a phylogenetic organism that evolved in response to stimuli and changes. It is a precious, fragile, limited and non-renewable resource, since it takes 100 to 1,000 years to produce one centimetre of fertile soil. Soil constitutes the largest existing organic carbon store and, consequently, plays a central role in the global carbon cycle and in the fight against climate change.However, land degradation has progressed markedly around the world. In fact, studies show that about 33% of the world’s soils are moderately or strongly degraded. An estimated annual global loss of 75 billion tons of fertile soil is caused by erosion, pollution, unsustainable agronomic practices, change of use (e.g. deforestation or conversion from pasture to cultivated land) and sealing of land. More than 12.7% of EU soil is subject to moderate to severe erosion and degradation. Stocks of organic carbon in farmland and the extent of wetlands and peatlands are steadily decreasin...
&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;... more &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Biochar is a carbonaceous material produced through the pyro-gasification of biomass. In the last decade, biochar has been proposed as a soil amendment because it can improve soil physico-chemical properties and carbon stocks, contributing to climate change mitigation.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;In the framework of the Wood-Up project (Optimization of WOOD gasification chain in South Tyrol to prodUce bioenergy and other high-value green Products to enhance soil fertility and mitigate climate change, FESR1028), we studied the impact of conifer wood biochar on the emissions of the main greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the soil: carbon dioxide (CO&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;), nitrous oxide (N&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;O) and methane (CH&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;4&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;), as well as on the soil carbon stock of agricultural fields in South Tyrol.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;In May 2017, 25 and 50 t ha&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sup&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;-1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sup&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; of pure biochar and biochar mixed with compost (45 t ha&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sup&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;-1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sup&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;), were applied to the soil of a vineyard near Merano (South-Tyrol, northern Italy) following a randomized block experimental design with four replicates per treatment.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Soil GHGs fluxes were monitored from June 2017 until December 2019. Fluxes were measured, in real time, with a high-resolution portable multi-gas analyzer based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy technology (Picarro inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA) connected to an automated dynamic chambers system (Eosense Inc., Dartmouth, NS, Canada). Gas emissions were measured monthly and were related to soil temperature and moisture to evaluate the impact of treatments on the sensitivity of GHGs fluxes to environmental parameters. The stability of conifer wood biochar in soil was assessed through the quantification of the Benzene PolyCarboxylic Acids (BPCA), specific biomarkers of black carbon, over time. The BPCA content in the soil was measured before the application of biochar and compost, three weeks after the application and two years later.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;During the first year of experiment, in biochar-amended soils, we observed a reduction of the temperature sensitivity of all GHGs fluxes in comparison to treatments without biochar (control and compost alone). In the second and third year an opposite trend was observed, with an increase of temperature sensitivity of GHGs fluxes in biochar-treated soil. The change of biochar effect over time might be linked to biochar ageing in soil. However, a role of soil moisture cannot be excluded, as it was higher in the first year of experiment. The experimental results will be presented in the broader context of the Wood-Up project.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;
... Al contrario i produttori locali, in particolare quelli a 2 Per settore formale si intendono ... more ... Al contrario i produttori locali, in particolare quelli a 2 Per settore formale si intendono le attività economiche che risul-tano dalla contabilità statale. Per settore informale si intende il settore dell&#x27;autoconsumo, del baratto, del mercato nero. Impatto sull&#x27;occupa-zione ...
Biochar composting experiments were performed to determine whether composting is a suitable metho... more Biochar composting experiments were performed to determine whether composting is a suitable method to accelerate biochar surface oxidation. To assess the results, surface properties of Terra Preta (Brazil) and ancient charcoal pit (Northern Italy) biochars were additionally investigated. Calculation of O/C ratios by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy demonstrated the anticipated increasing values from fresh biochars (0.13) to composted biochars (0.40), and finally charcoal pit biochars (0.54) and ancient Terra Preta biochars (0.64). By means of Fourier transformation infrared microscopy, creation of carboxylic and phenolic groups on biochars surface could be detected. Carboxylic acids of three composted biochars increased up to 14%, whereas one composted biochar showed a 21% lower proportion of carboxylic acids compared to the corresponding fresh biochar. Phenolic groups increased by 23% for the last mentioned biochar, and on all other biochars phenolic groups decreased up to 22%. Results showed that biochar surface oxidation can be accelerated through composting but still far away from ancient biochars.
<p>Mean ± standard error (n = 3). Results of the comparison between control and charcoal he... more <p>Mean ± standard error (n = 3). Results of the comparison between control and charcoal hearth (p-value) are also reported.</p
<p>Parameters, coefficients and variables used to distinguish and quantify the different ca... more <p>Parameters, coefficients and variables used to distinguish and quantify the different carbon pools in charcoal soil layer (means ± standard error, n = 3).</p
<p>Parameters, coefficients and variables used to estimate charcoal stability in soil (mean... more <p>Parameters, coefficients and variables used to estimate charcoal stability in soil (mean ± standard error; n = 3).</p
<p>Total and available nutrient concentrations (mg kg<sup>−1</sup> dry matter ±... more <p>Total and available nutrient concentrations (mg kg<sup>−1</sup> dry matter ± standard error; n = 3) measured in control soils, charcoal hearths, old and new charcoal fragments and larch wood.</p
<p>Wood samples were collected in close proximity to the hearths. Charcoal was produced in ... more <p>Wood samples were collected in close proximity to the hearths. Charcoal was produced in a muffle furnace at 400°, 500° 600° and 860°C. Dashed lines represent 95% confidence interval. (Y = 26.9+0.15 X-9.2 10<sup>−5</sup> X<sup>2</sup>; r<sup>2</sup> = 0.94; p<0.0001).</p
Soil is an ecological system and a phylogenetic organism that evolved in response to stimuli and ... more Soil is an ecological system and a phylogenetic organism that evolved in response to stimuli and changes. It is a precious, fragile, limited and non-renewable resource, since it takes 100 to 1,000 years to produce one centimetre of fertile soil. Soil constitutes the largest existing organic carbon store and, consequently, plays a central role in the global carbon cycle and in the fight against climate change.However, land degradation has progressed markedly around the world. In fact, studies show that about 33% of the world’s soils are moderately or strongly degraded. An estimated annual global loss of 75 billion tons of fertile soil is caused by erosion, pollution, unsustainable agronomic practices, change of use (e.g. deforestation or conversion from pasture to cultivated land) and sealing of land. More than 12.7% of EU soil is subject to moderate to severe erosion and degradation. Stocks of organic carbon in farmland and the extent of wetlands and peatlands are steadily decreasin...
&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;... more &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Biochar is a carbonaceous material produced through the pyro-gasification of biomass. In the last decade, biochar has been proposed as a soil amendment because it can improve soil physico-chemical properties and carbon stocks, contributing to climate change mitigation.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;In the framework of the Wood-Up project (Optimization of WOOD gasification chain in South Tyrol to prodUce bioenergy and other high-value green Products to enhance soil fertility and mitigate climate change, FESR1028), we studied the impact of conifer wood biochar on the emissions of the main greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the soil: carbon dioxide (CO&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;), nitrous oxide (N&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;O) and methane (CH&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;4&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sub&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;), as well as on the soil carbon stock of agricultural fields in South Tyrol.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;In May 2017, 25 and 50 t ha&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sup&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;-1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sup&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; of pure biochar and biochar mixed with compost (45 t ha&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;sup&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;-1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/sup&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;), were applied to the soil of a vineyard near Merano (South-Tyrol, northern Italy) following a randomized block experimental design with four replicates per treatment.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Soil GHGs fluxes were monitored from June 2017 until December 2019. Fluxes were measured, in real time, with a high-resolution portable multi-gas analyzer based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy technology (Picarro inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA) connected to an automated dynamic chambers system (Eosense Inc., Dartmouth, NS, Canada). Gas emissions were measured monthly and were related to soil temperature and moisture to evaluate the impact of treatments on the sensitivity of GHGs fluxes to environmental parameters. The stability of conifer wood biochar in soil was assessed through the quantification of the Benzene PolyCarboxylic Acids (BPCA), specific biomarkers of black carbon, over time. The BPCA content in the soil was measured before the application of biochar and compost, three weeks after the application and two years later.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;During the first year of experiment, in biochar-amended soils, we observed a reduction of the temperature sensitivity of all GHGs fluxes in comparison to treatments without biochar (control and compost alone). In the second and third year an opposite trend was observed, with an increase of temperature sensitivity of GHGs fluxes in biochar-treated soil. The change of biochar effect over time might be linked to biochar ageing in soil. However, a role of soil moisture cannot be excluded, as it was higher in the first year of experiment. The experimental results will be presented in the broader context of the Wood-Up project.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;
... Al contrario i produttori locali, in particolare quelli a 2 Per settore formale si intendono ... more ... Al contrario i produttori locali, in particolare quelli a 2 Per settore formale si intendono le attività economiche che risul-tano dalla contabilità statale. Per settore informale si intende il settore dell&#x27;autoconsumo, del baratto, del mercato nero. Impatto sull&#x27;occupa-zione ...
Biochar composting experiments were performed to determine whether composting is a suitable metho... more Biochar composting experiments were performed to determine whether composting is a suitable method to accelerate biochar surface oxidation. To assess the results, surface properties of Terra Preta (Brazil) and ancient charcoal pit (Northern Italy) biochars were additionally investigated. Calculation of O/C ratios by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy demonstrated the anticipated increasing values from fresh biochars (0.13) to composted biochars (0.40), and finally charcoal pit biochars (0.54) and ancient Terra Preta biochars (0.64). By means of Fourier transformation infrared microscopy, creation of carboxylic and phenolic groups on biochars surface could be detected. Carboxylic acids of three composted biochars increased up to 14%, whereas one composted biochar showed a 21% lower proportion of carboxylic acids compared to the corresponding fresh biochar. Phenolic groups increased by 23% for the last mentioned biochar, and on all other biochars phenolic groups decreased up to 22%. Results showed that biochar surface oxidation can be accelerated through composting but still far away from ancient biochars.
Uploads
Papers by irene criscuoli