This innovative technology includes circular models for biowaste application, which will be validated and demonstrated in pilot field crops. Plot-controlled systems will be set up combining application of derived materials based on calibration parameters defined in Task 2.2 with: i) crop residues management (ARI, AUA, NAU), biochar and nitrification inhibitors (UTAD), and organic farming practices (HAAS, CAU).

UTAD. Technologies for management of solid fraction from cattle farms by using Biochar and Nano-Biochar during composting process

Short Description of Technology 

UTAD used the livestock (cow farm) organic waste for composting by using biochar (2-3mm particle size) as a nature-based solution. Additionally; biochar was transformed into Nano-Biochar by fractionating the particle size to 240nm. The organic waste was separated into solid fraction and liquid fraction by screw press method. Biochar was applied 3% w/v while nano-biochar was applied by 0.1% w/v in solid fraction and allowed to compost for 60 days under aerobic condition. UTAD validated the effect of these nature-based solution in management of organic residues and demonstrated the reduction of ammonia volatilization. The results suggested significantly low ammonia emission in Biochar; while nano-biochar showed an equivalent potential reduction in very low amount of application.

Innovative Features 

Organic residues from cattle farm emit a lot of ammonia to environment and nature-based solutions are prerequisite to solve this issue. Advancement in nanotechnology brought the transformation of this nature-based material (Biochar) into much smaller particle size in nano-scale for higher adsorption and thermal stability properties by superior carbon functional groups, higher negative zeta potential and reduced hydrodynamic radius. The nano-scale biochar transformation facilitates many fold increase in surface area and structural changes in porosity, and the hydrophobic nature improves the overall performance in ammonia emission reduction during composting process of solid fraction. Several different top down and bottom-up approaches have been reported to synthesize biochar nanoparticles (BC-NPs); however, our approach focused on sonication methods which is likely to be more effective to transform the BC into BC-NPs in short time span and with uniform particle distribution. The nano-biochar was highly effective with very low dose (0.1% w/v) in comparison to biochar (3% w/v). The newly synthesized nano-biochar potentially improved the beneficial microbial community to improve the decomposition while reducing the ammonia emissions and thus improved the nutrients availability and quality of final composts.

Type of Contribution 

Biochar itself showed potential reduction in ammonia emission; moreover, this advance nano biochar showed higher potential to reduce ammonia emission, nutrients retentions and improved the compost quality as well as improved the decomposition process naturally. The material showed no toxic effects; however, showed a positive co-relation towards improved natural biota. The nano-biochar also provided an insight that it can be used in very less amount in comparison to raw biochar. The present material can be a new sustainable strategy for sustainable management of organic matter residues.

Benefits 

The results of our study are expected to contribute in elucidating the impacts of reduced ammonia emissions, higher nutrients availability, improved natural microbial decomposer communities and associated keys. These two nature-based products, biochar and nano-biochar derived from the forest debris of invasive plant Acacia sp., supports the circular bio-based economy in sustainable manner. Thus, this nature-based material can be utilized to address multiple environmental problems in soil, composting and management of organic residues to reduce the pollution.