Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Paul, Varun

Committee Member

Dash, Padmanava

Committee Member

Mlsna, Todd

Date of Degree

8-13-2024

Original embargo terms

Embargo 2 years

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Geoscience(Geology)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Geosciences

Abstract

Nutrient loss has been a problem in the agricultural field for as long as fertilizers have been used. Not only is it cost inefficient, it can be an environmental hazard when these nutrients enter the watershed. Biochar, both untreated and treated, have been shown to improve soil’s ability to retain nutrients and increase residency time. However, the sorption capacity of biochar when amended with different soil types, has not been explored sufficiently. Batch reactors and sediment columns were used to determine the efficiency of magnesium oxide treated biochar in three different soil types to retain nitrates and phosphates. The results showed that while largely ineffective for nitrate amendment, this approach could be very effective for the amendment of phosphates in all three soil types. Kinetic studies showed that effectiveness was immediate with phosphates. Absorption occurred more slowly with nitrates, and after a time effectiveness was reversed.

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