Projects per year
Abstract
Pyrolysis char residues from ensiled macroalgae were examined to determine their potential as growth promoters on germinating and transplanted seedlings. Macroalgae was harvested in May, July and August from beach collections, containing predominantly Laminaria digitata and Laminaria hyperborea ; naturally seeded mussel lines dominated by Saccharina latissima ; and lines seeded with cultivated L. digitata . Material was ensiled, pressed to pellets and underwent pyrolysis using a thermo‐catalytic reforming (TCR) process, with and without additional steam. The chars generated were then assessed through proximate and ultimate analysis. Seasonal changes had the prevalent impact on char composition, though using mixed beach‐harvested material gave a greater variability in elements than when using the offshore collections. Applying the char at 5% (v/v)/2% (w/w) into germination or seedling soils was universally negative for the plants, inhibiting or delaying all parameters assessed with no clear advantage in harvesting date, species or TCR processing methodology. In germinating lettuce seeds, soil containing the pyrolysis chars caused a longer germination time, poorer germination, fewer true leaves to be produced, a lower average plant health score and a lower final biomass yield. For transplanted ryegrass seedlings, there were lower plant survival rates, with surviving plants producing fewer leaves and tillers, lower biomass yields when cut and less regrowth after cutting. As water from the char‐contained plant pots inhibited the lettuce char control, one further observation was that run‐off water from the pyrolysis char released compounds which detrimentally affected cultivated plant growth. This study clearly shows that pyrolysed macroalgae char does not fit the standard assumption that chars can be used as soil amendments at 2% (w/w) addition levels. As the bioeconomy expands in the future, the end use of residues and wastes from bioprocessing will become a genuine global issue, requiring consideration and demonstration rather than hypothesized use.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 706-727 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Journal | GCB Bioenergy |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 24 Jul 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 13 Aug 2020 |
Keywords
- agronomic performance
- biochar
- biorefining
- fertilizer
- seaweed
- thermo-catalytic reforming
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Dive into the research topics of 'Evaluation of pyrolysis chars derived from marine macroalgae silage as soil amendments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
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Jessica Adams
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS) - Research Fellow
Person: Research
Projects
- 4 Finished
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Novel macroalgal enzymes; library screens and market analysis
Adams, J. (PI)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
01 Aug 2017 → 31 Dec 2017
Project: Externally funded research
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BBSRC Core Strategic Programme in Resilient Crops: Oats
Howarth, C. (PI)
01 Apr 2017 → 31 Mar 2022
Project: Externally funded research
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BEACON Plus
Donnison, I. (PI) & Shah, I. P. (CoI)
01 Jul 2015 → 31 Dec 2019
Project: Externally funded research
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Developing an Integrated Supply and Processing Pipeline for the Sustained Production of Ensiled Macroalgae-derived Hydrocarbon Fuels. MacroBioCrude
Gallagher, J. (PI), Adams, J. (CoI) & Donnison, I. (CoI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
01 Feb 2013 → 30 Sept 2018
Project: Externally funded research