Search

Biochar is recognized as an efficient amendment and soil improver. However, environmental and quality assessments are needed to ensure the sustainability of its use in agriculture. This work considers the biochar's chemical-physical characterization and its potential phyto- and geno-toxicity, assessed with germination and Ames tests, obtaining valuable information for a safe field application. Three biochar types, obtained from gasification at different temperatures of green biomasses from the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines (in Italy), were compared through a broad chemical, physical and biological evaluation. The results obtained showed the relevance of temperature in determining the chemical and morphological properties of biochar, which was shown with several analytical techniques such as the elemental composition, water holding capacity, ash content, but also with FTIR and X-ray spectroscopies. These techniques showed the presence of different relevant surface aliphatic and aromatic groups. The procedures for evaluating the potential toxicity using seeds germination and Ames genotoxicity assay highlights that biochar does not cause detrimental effects when it enters in contact with soil, micro- and macro-organisms, and plants. The genotoxicity test provided a new highlight in evaluating biochar environmental safety.

Biochar (BC) boasts diverse environmental applications. However, its potential for environmental biomonitoring has, surprisingly, remained largely unexplored. This study presents a preliminary analysis of BC’s potential as a biomonitor for the environmental availability of ionic Cd, utilizing the lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. as a reference organism. For this purpose, the lichen E. prunastri and two types of wood-derived biochar, biochar 1 (BC1) and biochar 2 (BC2), obtained from two anonymous producers, were investigated for their ability to accumulate, or sequester and subsequently release, Cd when exposed to Cd-depleted conditions. Samples of lichen and biochar (fractions between 2 and 4 mm) were soaked for 1 h in a solution containing deionized water (control), 10 µM, and 100 µM Cd2+ (accumulation phase). Then, 50% of the treated samples were soaked for 24 h in deionized water (depuration phase). The lichen showed a very good ability to adsorb ionic Cd, higher than the two biochar samples (more than 46.5%), and a weak ability to release the metal (ca. 6%). As compared to the lichen, BC2 showed a lower capacity for Cd accumulation (−48%) and release (ca. 3%). BC1, on the other hand, showed a slightly higher Cd accumulation capacity than BC2 (+3.6%), but a release capacity similar to that of the lichen (ca. 5%). The surface area and the cation exchange capacity of the organism and the tested materials seem to play a key role in their ability to accumulate and sequester Cd, respectively. This study suggests the potential use of BC as a (bio)monitor for the presence of PTEs in atmospheric depositions and, perhaps, water bodies.

The current model of ecological transition, considered as a reference at the institutional level, has climate change as its central object, and is mainly based on the goals identified by the Paris Agreement (2015) and the European Green Deal (2019). The article discusses the implications of this model for the local eco-territorial level, a combination of bio-physical ecosystems and identity values. It raises the issue of the relationship between planetary common goods and local common goods, in many real cases resulted in conflicts between the various actors involved; and highlights the current condition of a ‘perfect storm’, as several critical factors (macro-trends and the inertia of greenhouse gas concentrations, the closeness of tipping points in critical climatic processes, the consequences of the ongoing war on uses of energy and compliance with international agreements) menace to make the current transition model ineffective. Therefore, it proposes a better balance between mitigation and adaptation strategies, also through win-win actions responding to both needs and also including, for the various actors involved, paths to share the contents of an acceptable evolution of local ecosystems and territories.

Nowadays, the environmental impact of cementitious material industry and more generally of building activities is matter of concern, especially in terms of their effects on climate change and consumption of natural resources. Within this context, the aim of this paper is the investigation of the role of biochar, a solid carbonaceous by-product material resulting from biomass pyrolysis/gasification of residual biomass, as a sustainable ingredient for the production of cementitious materials, combining carbon sink properties with enhanced mechanical behavior. Although biochar is mainly investigated as agricultural amendment, there is also evidence that biochar may be an eco-friendly material to improve the sustainable performance of cementitious materials. As outlined in literature, biochar can be used as filler to modify the nanogranular nature of cement matrix, or as substitute of clinker to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases related to cement production. In this work, biochar is added as micro-nano particles in different cementitious composites, i.e. cement pastes and mortars, as a function of filler or partial substitute of cement. The main mechanical properties of biochar-based materials are then investigated to determine the optimal percentage of biochar addition.

Biochar (BC) soil amendments could partially counteract soil carbon (C) stock decrease in broad-leaved forests in Italy; however, its effects on the growth of representative tree species—Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus cerris L.—has not yet been addressed. We examine whether seed germination and growth of these species are affected by addition of BC obtained from deciduous broadleaf trees. Seeds were left to germinate in greenhouse conditions under three different BC amendments: 0% (control), 10% and 20% (v/v). Seedlings were then subjected to controlled conditions under the same BC percentage. Biochar effects on seed germination were assessed measuring germination time and percentage, while effects on photosynthesis were assessed using leaf chlorophyll content (mg/m2) and photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM). Plant growth was estimated by recording leaf number, longest leaf length and plant height. Biochar treatments had no negative effects on germination and early growth stage of the two species. Positive effects were found on the chlorophyll content of both species (ca. +8%) regardless of the treatment and on the leaf number (+30%), leaf length (+14%) and plant height (+48%) of Q. cerris (only with 10% BC). Biochar applications seem, therefore, a suitable method for increasing broad-leaved forest C stock in Italy.

The article presents the maps and data at the provincial level of COVID infections in Italy in the first phase of the epidemic (March-May 2020). The bio-geography of infections in Italy was very articulated, with a spatial imprint that was maintained in the months considered despite significant variations in the total number of infections within the period considered. In addition to a North-South macro-gradient, infra- and supra-regional territorial areas with specific characteristics have been produced. The situations less affected by the infections occurred in areas without significant metropolitan components, characterized by a more balanced relationship from an ecological and landscape point of view. Some implications for better management of future epidemic risks are discussed. The so-called ‘green deal’ development models, in addition to the new contents for economic productions, need to have greater awareness of the bio-physical risks associated with an inadequate government of the territory: it will be necessary that they concretely assign a relevant role to multi-scalars networks of ecosystems and landscapes and the resilience services they offer.

Biochar (BC) boasts diverse environmental applications. However, its potential for environmental biomonitoring has, surprisingly, remained largely unexplored. This study presents a preliminary analysis of BC's potential as a biomonitor for the environmental availability of ionic Cd, utilizing the lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. as a reference organism. For this purpose, the lichen E. prunastri and two types of wood-derived biochar, biochar 1 (BC1) and biochar 2 (BC2), obtained from two anonymous producers, were investigated for their ability to accumulate, or sequester and subsequently release, Cd when exposed to Cd-depleted conditions. Samples of lichen and biochar (fractions between 2 and 4 mm) were soaked for 1 h in a solution containing deionized water (control), 10 µM, and 100 µM Cd2+ (accumulation phase). Then, 50% of the treated samples were soaked for 24 h in deionized water (depuration phase). The lichen showed a very good ability to adsorb ionic Cd, higher than the two biochar samples (more than 46.5%), and a weak ability to release the metal (ca. 6%). As compared to the lichen, BC2 showed a lower capacity for Cd accumulation (−48%) and release (ca. 3%). BC1, on the other hand, showed a slightly higher Cd accumulation capacity than BC2 (+3.6%), but a release capacity similar to that of the lichen (ca. 5%). The surface area and the cation exchange capacity of the organism and the tested materials seem to play a key role in their ability to accumulate and sequester Cd, respectively. This study suggests the potential use of BC as a (bio)monitor for the presence of PTEs in atmospheric depositions and, perhaps, water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2015 the European Commission published the report Towards an EU Research and Innovation policy agenda for Nature-Based Solutions and Re-Naturing Cities. The document standardised the many research and innovation opportunities linked to the new designing, realisation and management procedures which utilise the natural component as an important tool to support urban regeneration processes capable of building resilience and developing a green economy. This essay analyses critically the new technical elements of architectural and urban design that make use of nature-based solutions. The aim is to examine their actual capability to generate/regenerate ecosystem services and circular economy processes at various levels.

Only in Europe, every year around 29 million tons of plastic waste are generated and only about 35% of such waste is collected for recycling. This results in huge amounts of plastic waste threatening the environment. One of the possible solutions for disposal can be represented by the concrete industry. Several research works have already studied the use of plastic waste in concrete mix as partial replacement for aggregates, showing that this use of plastics can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of concrete production by saving non‐renewable resources. At the same time, lightweight concrete can be produced but at a non‐negligible cost of a mechanical strength reduction. This work aims at investigating the effects on concrete physical and mechanical performances resulting from the introduction of recycled plastic aggregates in combination with another kind of waste used as filler, namely biochar. Biochar, which is the solid carbonaceous by‐product resulting from wood‐waste pyro‐gasification, can have the role of carbon sequestrating additive in concrete, being able to fix carbon in a stable form in buildings for decades. The experimental findings obtained in this work show that the combination of biochar and recycled plastic waste, which was never investigated before, can help to obtain concretes with satisfactory mechanical performance, which promote circular economy principles. Thanks to biochar addition, the reduction in mechanical properties due to the presence of plastics is extremely limited with respect to control; moreover, these concretes demonstrate better behavior in terms of fracture energy and ductility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar (BC) soil amendments could partially counteract soil carbon (C) stock decrease in broad-leaved forests in Italy; however, its effects on the growth of representative tree species—Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus cerris L.—has not yet been addressed. We examine whether seed germination and growth of these species are affected by addition of BC obtained from deciduous broadleaf trees. Seeds were left to germinate in greenhouse conditions under three different BC amendments: 0% (control), 10% and 20% (v/v). Seedlings were then subjected to controlled conditions under the same BC percentage. Biochar effects on seed germination were assessed measuring germination time and percentage, while effects on photosynthesis were assessed using leaf chlorophyll content (mg/m2) and photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM). Plant growth was estimated by recording leaf number, longest leaf length and plant height. Biochar treatments had no negative effects on germination and early growth stage of the two species. Positive effects were found on the chlorophyll content of both species (ca. +8%) regardless of the treatment and on the leaf number (+30%), leaf length (+14%) and plant height (+48%) of Q. cerris (only with 10% BC). Biochar applications seem, therefore, a suitable method for increasing broad-leaved forest C stock in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a set of web-based indicators for quantifying and ranking the relevance of terms related to key-issues in Ecology and Sustainability Science. Search engines that operate in different contexts (e.g. global, social, scientific) are considered as web information carriers (WICs) and are able to analyse; (i) relevance on different levels: global web, individual/personal sphere, on-line news, and culture/science; (ii) time trends of relevance; (iii) relevance of keywords for environmental governance. For the purposes of this study, several indicators and specific indices (relational indices and dynamic indices) were applied to a test-set of 24 keywords. Outputs consistently show that traditional study topics in environmental sciences such as water and air have remained the most quantitatively relevant keywords, while interest in systemic issues (i.e. ecosystem and landscape) has grown over the last 20 years. Nowadays, the relevance of new concepts such as resilience and ecosystem services is increasing, but the actual ability of these concepts to influence environmental governance needs to be further studied and understood. The proposed approach, which is based on intuitive and easily replicable procedures, can support the decision-making processes related to environmental governance.

Copyright of Scienze del Territorio is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nowadays, the environmental impact of cementitious material industry and more generally of building activities is matter of concern, especially in terms of their effects on climate change and consumption of natural resources. Within this context, the aim of this paper is the investigation of the role of biochar, a solid carbonaceous by-product material resulting from biomass pyrolysis/gasification of residual biomass, as a sustainable ingredient for the production of cementitious materials, combining carbon sink properties with enhanced mechanical behavior. Although biochar is mainly investigated as agricultural amendment, there is also evidence that biochar may be an eco-friendly material to improve the sustainable performance of cementitious materials. As outlined in literature, biochar can be used as filler to modify the nanogranular nature of cement matrix, or as substitute of clinker to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases related to cement production. In this work, biochar is added as micro-nano particles in different cementitious composites, i.e. cement pastes and mortars, as a function of filler or partial substitute of cement. The main mechanical properties of biochar-based materials are then investigated to determine the optimal percentage of biochar addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a product of the thermal decomposition of biomass under a limited supply of oxygen and can be deriving from pyrolysis or gasification. As the product is rich in highly recalcitrant carbon, it has been proposed as a soil amendment to improve soil fertility and to stock carbon in soils. However, the contaminant compounds present in biochar could represent potential environmental threats. The gasification biochar is a promising by-product, but its effects on soil microarthropods are still nearly unknown. The aim of this study was to assess, using a prognosis approach, any ecotoxicological consequences of four biochars (conifer, poplar, grape marc, and wheat straw) on the springtail Folsomia candida. This was assessed through a series of tests: an avoidance behavior test, a survival and reproduction test, and a test based on the hatching of eggs. Biochars were tested at different concentrations (pulverized and diluted w/w with an artificial standard soil). The results showed that the springtails did not tend to avoid the biochars’ substrates up to the rate of 2-5%, but any higher levels of concentration caused the animals to keep away from it. While mortality was negatively affected only in the grape marc biochar, reproduction was significantly reduced in all biochars considered. The hatching of the eggs was anticipated at even the lowest concentrations of herbaceous biochars, while a severe delay was observed in both concentrations tested of the conifer biochar. The endpoints considered were negatively affected by pH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals (in order of importance). The findings confirmed the potential adverse effects that gasification biochars could have on soil microarthropods and demonstrated the necessity of introducing these tests into biochar characterization protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated approach combining classic and molecular microbiological methods, ' in vitro' bioremediation assays and groundwater numerical modeling, has been established to identify optimized solutions for remediating aquifers contaminated with organic pollutants. Bacteria have been isolated from an aquifer contaminated with toluene and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), selected for their growth with contaminants as a sole carbon source and identified through 16S rDNA partial sequencing. Successive biodegradation laboratory tests have been performed to determine which chemical conditions were more appropriate for the isolated bacteria to more efficiently oxidize toluene and MTBE. A groundwater model was created using FEFLOW code first to determine the movement of the plume front and second to simulate the impact of the biodegradation processes along the groundwater flow directions based on the bioremediation rates obtained in the laboratory. The results show that this innovative and interdisciplinary model can be used to assist in developing monitoring and remediation plans for cleaning up complex contaminated groundwater sites. This approach successfully combines the identification of the optimum biogeochemical conditions for bacterial biodegradation to occur with the predictability of the development of the process over time, ensuring decisive support in the management of contaminated sites. ©2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil amendment with biochar has been proposed as effective in improving agricultural land fertility and carbon sequestration, although the characterisation and certification of biochar quality are still crucial for widespread acceptance for agronomic purposes. We describe here the effects of four biochars (conifer and poplar wood, grape marc, wheat straw) at increasing application rates (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 % w/w) on both germination and root elongation of Cucumis sativus L., Lepidium sativum L. and Sorghum saccharatum Moench. The tested biochars varied in chemical properties, depending on the type and quality of the initial feedstock batch, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being high in conifer and wheat straw, Cd in poplar and Cu in grape marc. We demonstrate that electrical conductivity and Cu negatively affected both germination and root elongation at ≥5 % rate biochar, together with Zn at ≥10 % and elevated pH at ≥20 %. In all species, germination was less sensitive than root elongation, strongly decreasing at very high rates of chars from grape marc (>10 %) and wheat straw (>50 %), whereas root length was already affected at 0.5 % of conifer and poplar in cucumber and sorghum, with marked impairment in all chars at >5 %. As a general interpretation, we propose here logarithmic model for robust root phytotoxicity in sorghum, based on biochar Zn content, which explains 66 % of variability over the whole dosage range tested.We conclude that metal contamination is a crucial quality parameter for biochar safety, and that root elongation represents a stable test for assessing phytotoxicity at recommended in-field amendment rates (<1–2 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a set of web-based indicators for quantifying and ranking the relevance of terms related to key-issues in Ecology and Sustainability Science. Search engines that operate in different contexts (e.g. global, social, scientific) are considered as web information carriers (WICs) and are able to analyse; (i) relevance on different levels: global web, individual/personal sphere, on-line news, and culture/science; (ii) time trends of relevance; (iii) relevance of keywords for environmental governance. For the purposes of this study, several indicators and specific indices (relational indices and dynamic indices) were applied to a test-set of 24 keywords. Outputs consistently show that traditional study topics in environmental sciences such as water and air have remained the most quantitatively relevant keywords, while interest in systemic issues (i.e. ecosystem and landscape) has grown over the last 20 years. Nowadays, the relevance of new concepts such as resilience and ecosystem services is increasing, but the actual ability of these concepts to influence environmental governance needs to be further studied and understood. The proposed approach, which is based on intuitive and easily replicable procedures, can support the decision-making processes related to environmental governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we analysed the protein variations which occurred in two Thlaspi caerulescens populations when subjected to 0 and 10 μM nickel (Ni) treatments: the Ni hyperaccumulator T. caerulescens from a metalliferous soil in Italy and T. caerulescens from Czech Republic, adapted to grow on a non-metalliferous soil. Ni accumulation in roots and shoots and the effect on growth and morphology were examined. Leaves proteins profiles of Ni treated and untreated samples were analysed by two dimensional liquid chromatography technique. From the comparison of more than 500 proteins, few differences were observed between treated and untreated plants of the same population. Differences were found between the two Thlaspi populations, instead. Proteins involved in transport, metal chelation, and signal transduction increased in abundance in the 10 μM Ni treated samples while, in condition of absence of Ni, proteins involved in sulphur metabolism, protection against reactive oxygen species and stress response showed to increase in abundance in the two populations. These proteins can be used as biomarkers both for monitoring biodiversity in indigenous plants and for selection of Ni phytoremediation plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity, the substrate for natural selection and adaptation to the environment, is of foremost importance in species conservation. Genomics, the study of the structure and function of complex genomes, can be applied to the assessment of the genetic component of biodiversity in animals and plants. Genomic analysis within the genus Hordeum, in cultivars of H. vulgare and in wild accessions of H. spontaneum, was performed by different types of molecular markers, such as restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and long primer–polymerase chain reaction (LP–PCR), and simple sequence repeats (SSR). The aim of this approach was to compare the correlation existing between genotypic variation at specific regions of the genome, as targeted with the different probes obtained from stress-responsive genes, and phenotypic variation, as shown by adaptation to different environments and climates. H. vulgare cultivars with contrasting growth habits (spring or winter) and H. spontaneum accessions adapted to different locations in Israel have been analysed. The results showed the existence of some tight associations between adaptive traits and markers (RFLP, LP–PCR) derived from specific genes induced in response to environmental stress. The correlation between adaptive phenotypes and genetic variation obtained with these markers was similar to that observed with SSRs. However, a considerable amount of the global genetic variation (83% in H. vulgare and 65% in H. spontaneum) seemed to have no direct correlation with the particular genetic traits involved in differentiating the individuals. Molecular markers are therefore a useful tool to target genomic regions involved in adaptation to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioremediation of toluene and naphthalene in liquid cultures of bacteria grown in the presence of these aromatic compounds as unique sources of carbon was investigated by gas chromatography (GC). For this purpose, a method based on the use of GC with flame ionization detection was developed and validated. Validation was carried out in terms of limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), linearity, precision and trueness. In the case of naphthalene, LOD and LOQ values of 0.43 and 0.72 mg kg(-1) were achieved. Linearity was established over one order of magnitude in the range of interest, i.e. 10-100 mg kg(-1). Excellent precision was obtained both in terms of intra-day repeatability and between-day precision on two concentration levels (RSD% lower than 0.5%). A recovery of 97.9 +/- 0.2% (n=3) was calculated by addition of 640 mg kg(-1) of naphthalene to the Bushnell & Haas mineral salts basal solution containing the micro-organisms. Findings clearly showed a reduction of the naphthalene content equal to 50% and 75% after two and four weeks of contact with the micro-organisms, whereas a lower degradation was shown in the case of toluene. Finally bioremediation activity was ascribed to two different microbial populations, Bordetella Petrii and Bacillus Sphericus, which survived in the polluted medium.