Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Peer-reviewed

Biochar from animal manure: A critical assessment on technical feasibility, economic viability, and ecological impact

Dilani Rathnayake, Hans‐Peter Schmidt, Jens Leifeld, Jochen Mayer, C.A. Epper, Thomas D. Bucheli, Nikolas Hagemann

GCB Bioenergy · 2023

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Summary

Abstract Animal manure has been used to manage soil fertility since the dawn of agriculture. It provides plant nutrients and improves soil fertility. In the last decades, animal husbandry has been significantly expanded globally. Its economics were optimized via the (international) trade of feed, resulting in a surplus of animal manure in areas with intensive livestock farming. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs), pathogenic microorganisms, antibiotic residues, biocides, and other micropollutants in manure threaten animal, human, and environmental health. Hence, manure application in crop fields is increasingly restricted, especially in hotspot regions with intensive livestock activities. Furthermore, ammonia volatilization and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during manure storage, field appl

Source type
Peer-reviewed study
DOI
10.1111/gcbb.13082
Catalogue ID
BFmokjo62o-9iuccw
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