10.57647/ijrowa-2chr-d623

Comparative characterization of biochar obtained from cow dung and poultry litter

PDF
  • Rose Erdoo Kukwa1,
  • Barnabas Orseer Iortyom*2,
  • Christie Agbenu Adah3,4,
  1. Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER)  AND  Department of Chemistry, Benue State University Makurdi, Nigeria
  2. Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University Makurdi, Nigeria
  3. Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER)
  4. Department of Chemistry, Benue State University Makurdi, Nigeria
Comparative characterization of biochar obtained from cow dung and poultry litter

Received: 2024-08-22

Revised: 2024-12-17

Accepted: 2025-01-29

Published in Issue 2025-06-01

Copyright (c) -1 Erdoo Rose Kukwa, Orseer Barnabas Iortyom, Christie Agbenu Adah (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Kukwa, . R. E., Iortyom, B. O. ., & Adah, C. A. . (2025). Comparative characterization of biochar obtained from cow dung and poultry litter. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.57647/ijrowa-2chr-d623
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

PDF views: 226

Abstract

Purpose: The conversion of animal waste to biochar by pyrolysis remains the most sustainable alternative for proper management of cow dung and poultry litter in addressing soil infertility and environmental problems. Biochar serves multiple purposes, including waste management, organic fertilizer, carbon sequestration, soil improvement, and renewable energy production.

Methods: Cow dung and poultry litter feedstocks were pyrolyzed for 1 hour at 400 o C in an oxygen limited reactor to produce biochar. Physico-chemical investigation of the produced biochar includes proximate analysis, microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES), scanning electron microscope - energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG).

Results: Cow dung biochar (CDB) yield was 41% while poultry litter biochar (PLB) was 60.2% respectively. Poultry litter biochar showed a higher ash content of 53.2%, volatile matter 43.5%, bulk density 0.449 g/mL and electrical conductivity 0.25 g/mL than cow dung biochar. Investigation observed dominant macronutrients:  N(28300 mg/kg), K(10560.05 mg/kg), Ca(972.17 mg/kg), Mg(4523.82 mg/kg) and micronutrients Cu(80.71 mg/kg), Zn(90.42 mg/kg), Na(2862.47 mg/kg), Fe(2014.25 mg/kg) in poultry litter biochar  than cow dung biochar. SEM-EDX images were black and porous with embedded organic and inorganic components. Functional groups acting as cation adsorbents were identified using FTIR. Mass loss and sample disintegration were evident in TGA and DTG curves as temperature increased.

Conclusion: Animal waste converted to biochar can act as a nutrient rich soil conditioner to address the mineral deficit in fruits and vegetables cultivated in acidic soils. Reusing agricultural waste in this way is a good idea.

Research Highlights

  • Environmental problems such as pollution, global warming and poor soil fertility will be addressed through reuse of animal waste.
  • This study uses slow pyrolysis to compare the physicochemical characteristics of biochar made from cow dung and chicken litter.
  • Analysis was done on important parameters such yield, elemental composition, pH, nutritional content, and functional groups.
  • Cow dung biochar demonstrated a more stable structure and reduced ash level, but poultry litter biochar demonstrated higher production and nutritional contents.
  • The results point to possible uses for biochars in nutrient control and soil amendment.

Keywords

  • Environmental problems,
  • Waste management,
  • Pyrolysis,
  • Carbon sequestration,
  • Organic fertilizer
PDF

References

  1. Abbas A, Younis A, Ullah I, Shahzad SM (2021) Biochar production from agricultural and animal waste: A review of sustainable approaches. Sustainability 13: 71-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010071
  2. Ahmad M, Lee SS, Dou X, Mohan D, Sung JK (2023) Biochar-induced reduction of environmental pollutants from animal waste. Sci Total Environ 877: 162-563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162563
  3. AOAC (2012) Determination of ash in animal feed. (AOAC Official Method 942.05). J AOAC Int 95(5): 1392-1397. https://doi.org/10.5740/jaoacint.12-129
  4. Awasthi MK, Pandey AK, Khan J, Bundela PS, Zhang Z, Wong JWC (2020) Pyrolysis of organic wastes for sustainable resource management. J Clean Prod 277: 124-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124123
  5. Bartocci P, Tschentscher R, Stensrød RE, Barbanera M, Fantozzi F (2019) Kinetic analysis of digestate slow pyrolysis with the application of the master-plots method and independent parallel reactions scheme. Molecules 24(9): 1657. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24091657
  6. Bhatnagar A, Kumar E, and Sillanpää M (2010) Microwave-assisted modification of activated carbon: Optimization and application to aqueous-phase methylene blue adsorption. Chem Eng J 156(2): 295-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2009.10.029
  7. Blanco-Canqui H (2017) Biochar and soil physical properties. Soil Sci Society America J 81(4): 687–711. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2017.01.0017
  8. Cantrell K B, Hunt PG, Uchimiya M, Novak JM, Ro K.S (2012) Impact of pyrolysis temperature and manure source on physicochemical characteristics of biochar. Bioresour Technol 107: 419-428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.11.084
  9. Cao X, Zheng W, Wang S (2019) Catalytic upgrading of bio-oil model compounds using a novel CaO–CeO₂ mixed oxide catalyst. Catal Today 319: 107-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2018.05.007
  10. Cayuela ML, Van Zwieten L, Singh BP, Jeffery S, Roig A, Sánchez-Monedero MA (2020) Biochar's role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Glob Chang Biol Bioenergy 12: 183–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12755
  11. Chaves LHG, Fernandes JD, Mendes JS, Dantas ERB, Guerra HC, Tito GA, Silva AAR, Laurentino LGS, Souza FG, Lima WB, Chaves IB (2020) Characterization of poultry litter biochar for agricultural use. Sylwan 164(6): 1-21.
  12. Chen B, Zhou D, Zhu L (2008) Transitional Adsorption and partition of nonpolar and polar aromatic contaminants by biochars of pine needles with different pyrolytic temperatures. Environ Sci Technol 42(14):5137–5143. https://doi.org/10.1021/es702182sh
  13. Chia CH, Sing BS, Joseph SD, Lin Y, Munroe P, Lehmann J (2015) Characterization of an enriched biochar. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 108: 26-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2014.05.021
  14. Choudhary M, Kumar R, Sharma S, Kumawat, N (2023) Biochar and micronutrients availability: Problem and future prospects. In Biochar: A Sustainable Approach for Climate Change Mitigation and Soil Management (pp. 113–126). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21980-7_6
  15. Coates J, Everall NJ, Lee E (2020) Interpretation of infrared spectra, a practical approach. In Meyers, R A. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. pp. 10815-10837. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470027318.a5606
  16. Devi P, Saroha AK. (2014) Risk analysis of sewage sludge biochar for soil application. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21(10): 5827-5834. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2570-8
  17. Garba J, Samsuri WA, Othman R, Hamdani MSA (2019) Evaluation of adsorptive characteristics of cow dung and rice husk ash for removal of aqueous glyphosate and aminomethylphoshonic acid. Sci Rep 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54079-0
  18. Gaskin J W, Steiner C, Harris K, Das KC, Bibens B (2008) Effect of low-temperature pyrolysis conditions on biochar for agricultural use. Trans ASABE 51(6): 2061-2069. https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.25409
  19. Ghodake G S, Shinde SK, Kadam AA, Saratale RG, Saratale GD, Kumar M, Kim DY (2021) Review on biomass feedstocks, pyrolysis mechanism and physicochemical properties of biochar: State-of-the-art framework to speed up vision of circular bioeconomy. J Clean Prod 297: 126-645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126645
  20. Gul S, Whalen JK, Thomas BW, Sachdeva V, Deng H (2023) Biochar impacts on soil physical properties and crop production. Soil Sci Soc Am J 87: 101-122. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20356
  21. Gwenzi W, Chaukura N, Mukome FND, Machado S, Nyamasoka B (2015) Biochar production and applications in sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities, constraints, risks and uncertainties. J Environ Manag 150: 250-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.11.027
  22. Hossain M Z, Strezov V, Chan K.Y, Nelson PF (2020) Thermal characterisation and chemical analysis of gas products from slow pyrolysis of urban organic wastes. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 89(1): 126-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2010.07.004
  23. Iortyom BO, Kukwa RE, Adah CA (2024) Comparative analysis of biochar derived from rice straw and soybean straw. Int J Environ Clim Change 14 (10):175-88. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2024/v14i104478
  24. Joseph SD, Lehmann J, Wang J, Carlson K, Lehmann C (2021) How biochar works and when it doesn't: A review of mechanisms for loss of biochar from soils. Agronomy 11(1): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010019
  25. Kammann CI, Ratering S, Eckhard C, Müller C (2015) Biochar and hydrochar effects on greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane) fluxes from soils. J Environ Qual 41(4): 1052-1066. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2011.0119
  26. Kukwa RE, Kukwa DT, Samson SB (2023) Reclamation of poultry litter for the production of biochar. Int J Recycl Org Waste Agric 147-158. https://doi.org/10.30486/IJROWA.2023.1960315.1490
  27. Lehmann J, Joseph S (2015) Biochar for Environmental Management: Science, Technology and Implementation (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203762264
  28. Lehmann J, Joseph S (2020) Biochar for Environmental Management: Science, Technology and Implementation (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429402296
  29. Mandal S, Singh K, Choudhary P (2023) Challenges of biochar applications in saline soils. Soil Sci Horiz 22: 78–90.
  30. Manya JJ (2012). Pyrolysis for biochar purposes: A review to establish current knowledge gaps and research needs. Environ Sci Technol 46(15): 7939-7954. https://doi.org/10.1021/es301029g
  31. Manya JJ, González B, Azuara M (2018) Cow manure and sewage sludge slow pyrolysis: Energy and biochar properties. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 134: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2018.05.001
  32. Melo LCA, Coscione AR, Abreu CA, Puga AP, Camargo AO (2013) Influence of pyrolysis temperature on cadmium and zinc sorption capacity of sugarcane straw derived biochar. Bio Resources 8(4):4992–5004. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.8.4.4992-5004
  33. Mohan D, Sarswat A, Ok YS, Pittman CU (2021) Biochar production and applications in waste management. Waste Manag 102:80–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.11.002
  34. Mukherjee A, Lal R (2022) Biochar impacts on soil physical properties and greenhouse gas emissions. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 52: 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2021.1908365
  35. Nguyen VP, Nguyen KH (2021) Assessment of cadmium ion adsorption capacity in water by biochar produced from pyrolysis of cow dung. Int J Emerg Trends Eng Res 9(3). https://doi.org/10.30534/ijeter/2021/05932021
  36. Oni BA, Oziegbe O, Olawole OO (2020) Significance of biochar application to the environment and economy. Annal Agric Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aoas.2019.12.006
  37. Prabhu RR, Banu JR, Dutta K (2023) Biochar production from organic waste: Challenges and opportunities. J Environ Manag 324: 116-364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116364
  38. Qian T, Jiang H, Zhang X, Zhang Y (2015) Effect of additional organic waste on the properties of biochar derived from swine manure. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 112: 320-328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2015.01.014
  39. Ro KS, Cantrell KB, Hunt PG, Novak J M (2013) Chemical and physical properties of biochars produced from the pyrolysis of hardwood and poultry litter feedstocks. J Environ Qual 42(2):437-447. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2012.0080
  40. Sarfaraz Q, Silva LS. da Drescher GL, Zafar M, Severo FF, Kokkonen A, Solaiman ZM (2020) Characterization and carbon mineralization of biochars produced from different animal manures and plant residues. Sci Rep 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-57987-8
  41. Silverstein RM, Webster FX, Kiemle DJ (2005) Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds (7th ed.). Wiley.
  42. Simbolon LM, Pandey DS, Horvat A, Kwapinska M, Leahy JJ, Tassou SA(2019) Investigation of chicken litter conversion into useful energy resources by using low temperature pyrolysis. Energy Procedia 161: 47–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2019.02.057 Singh BP, Hatton BJ, Singh B, Cowie AL, Kathuria A (2010) Influence of biochars on nitrous oxide emission and nitrogen leaching from two contrasting soils. J Environ Qual 39(4): 1224-1235. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2009.0138
  43. Singh B, Singh BP, Cowie AL (2014) Characterisation and evaluation of biochars for their application as a soil amendment. Soil Res 52(5): 516-532. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR13316
  44. Singh J, Kaur A, Sekhon KS (2015) Biochar from rice straw and dung manure: Characterization and potential for improving soil health. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 111: 658-666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2014.12.019
  45. Smith BC, Dent G (2021) Infrared Spectral Interpretation: A Systematic Approach. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003150344
  46. Stuart B (2004) Infrared Spectroscopy: Fundamentals and Applications. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/0470011149
  47. Stuart B, McAuley A, McIntosh A (2019) Infrared Spectroscopy: Fundamentals and Applications (2nd ed.). John Wiley and Sons Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119374870
  48. Sun H, Yuan J, Wang L (2023) Macro and micro nutrient profiles of biochars. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 170: 105-929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2023.105929
  49. Tang J, Zhu W, Kookana RS, Katayama A, Inoue Y (2016) Characterization of biochars produced from corn straw and pineapple leaves at different temperatures and their effects on the sorption of diuron. Bioresour Technol 200: 780-787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.11.036
  50. Tian J, Chen J, Li Y (2022) Sustainable biochar systems for waste management and climate mitigation. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 163: 112-471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112471
  51. Verheijen F, Jeffery S, Bastos AC, van der Velde M, Diafas I (2019) Biochar application to soils: A critical scientific review of effects on soil properties, processes, and functions. Eur Comm Sci Rep 39: 146–163. https://doi.org/10.2788/472
  52. Wang M, Yuan J, Zhou Q (2023) Role of biochar in improving soil salinity and aeration. Soil Sci Horiz 21: 123–135. https://doi.org/10.2136/ss-horizons-2023-0001
  53. Wu L, Li Y, Feng X, Chen Y, Wang Q, Li B (2022) Advances in biochar applications for animal waste treatment and environmental protection. Chemosphere 286: 131-873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131873
  54. Wystalska K, Malińska K, Barczak M (2021) Poultry manure derived biochars – the impact of pyrolysis.temperature on selected properties and potentials for further modifications. J Sustain Dev Energy Water Environ Syst 9(1): 1080-337. https://doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d8.0337
  55. Yang X, Li L, Zhao W, Wang M, Yang W, Tian Y, Zheng R, Deng S, Mu Y, Zhu X (2023) Characteristics and functional application of cellulose fibers extracted from cow dung wastes. Materials 16(648). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020648
  56. Zhang R, Sun J, Liu H (2022) Comparative analysis of poultry litter biochar properties. Environ Sustain J 14: 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42398-022-00123-4
  57. Zhao L, Cao X, Zheng W, Scott J W, Sharma BK., Chen X (2018) Copyrolysis of biomass with phosphate fertilizers to improve biochar carbon retention, slow nutrient release, and stabilize heavy metals in soil. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 6(7):8835-8844. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b00880