Guidelines for Specifications of Biochars for Use in Soils FINAL ...

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1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738Appendix 2 – Recommended General Sample Analysis Proceduresand Protocols for Specific TestsBiochar samplingStrict adherence to standardized biochar sampling procedures is critical to ensure reliable,representative, and replicable test results. Following accepted compost analysis practices, theTest Methods for the Examination of Composting and Composts (TMECC) (US CompostingCouncil and US Department of Agriculture (2001)) has been identified as an effective generalsampling procedure to comply with the Biochar Guidelines. The TMECC documents providedetailed descriptions of sampling procedures for piles of unsorted, potentially heterogeneousmaterial, which result in homogeneous, representative samples to be used in subsequentchemical analysis (Section 02.01 Field Sampling of Compost Materials in US Composting Counciland US Department of Agriculture (2001)). Adhering to TMECC sampling guidance will ensureconsistency in analytical approach, since subsequent physicochemical analyses within theBiochar Guidelines document recommend the use of TMECC methodologies.Sample handling and processingSince sample handling and processing is analysis-methodology-dependent, appropriateprocedures should be selected based upon the chemical tests that will be conducted. Sampleprocessing can vary depending upon the physicochemical analyses to be conducted; samplepreparation methods followed should be specifically intended for the selected physicochemicaltests to be conducted. For example, sample preparation methods can include grinding andsieving or oven-drying for analysis, to provide the dry weight measure indicated in Table 3 ofthe biochar test categories. General sample preparation procedures can be found in TMECCSection 02.02 Laboratory Sample Preparation in US Composting Council and US Department ofAgriculture (2001). Caution should be exercised however, since the methodologiesrecommended therein are designed for compost, and not for biochar. Comments within theTMECC document (US Composting Council and US Department of Agriculture (2001)) indicatethat sample heating can occur while grinding, which can result in a change in sample qualitiesand characteristics. To avoid this, it is recommended that samples to be ground and sieved toa smaller size range (e.g. 2mm) be hand-ground in a mortar and pestle, to reduce the risk ofheating, sparking, or ignition (following sample grinding methods for pH and EC assessmentnoted in Rajkovich et al 2011).Combined approach to analyzing pH and ECGeneric pH and EC analysis procedures have been drawn from the TMECC methodologies (USComposting Council and US Department of Agriculture (2001)). These procedures for the useof control and reference pH samples and electrode probes have been adapted for use withInternational Biochar Initiative – Guidelines for Specifications of Biochars for Use in Soils 24
12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031biochar, as follows: where the TMECC methodology recommends a 1:5 v:v or w:w 4 solution ofcompost : deionized water, a 1:20 w:w or v:v solution of biochar : deionized water should beused for biochar pH and EC analysis, following Rajkovich et al (2011). Similarly, additional timeshould be allotted for solution equilibration after the combination of deionized water andbiochar. Following Rajkovich et al (2011), 1.5 hours should be provided for the shaking andequilibration of biochar-deionized-water solutions prior to pH and EC analysis. Upon completionof the shaking and equilibration phase, pH and EC analysis may be conducted on the samesamples, rather than making separate replicates for pH and EC. To complete the pH and ECanalysis follow methodologies 04.10 and 04.11 of the TMECC methodology (US CompostingCouncil and US Department of Agriculture (2001)).Earthworm Avoidance and Germination Inhibition AssayThe Earthworm Avoidance and Germination Inhibition Assay analyses follow proceduresoutlined by Van Zwieten et al 2010. The recommended approach for biochar analysis is tofollow Van Zwieten et al’s methods, as they are drawn from the initial 1984 OECD and ISO17512 - 1:2008 methodologies, and to report earthworm behavior as it relates to the avoidanceof biochar-soil, and seedling germination as it relates to the failure to germinate in biochar-soil.Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is the most widely recommended species to use in germinationassessments, due to its sensitivity. Other species that can be used are found within the OECD(1984b) methodology. The primary approach to the earthworm avoidance test is drawn fromISO 17512 – 1:2008, with instructions on soil matrix blending from the OECD (1984a)methodology. Further augmentations of Van Zwieten et al’s approach should follow Li et al(2011) to ensure that adequate wetting of soil and biochar-soil blends is achieved for theduration of the Earthworm Avoidance test. Results should be reported as a “fail” to reflect astatistically significant preference of the worms to avoid biochar-blended soils, or a failure ofseedling germination and growth in biochar-blended soils, thus rejecting the null-hypothesisthat there is no difference between biochar-soil blends and soil within the test. Results can bereported as a “pass” where there is no difference of worm preference or germination andseedling growth success between biochar-soil blends and soil, or where biochar-soil blends arepreferred; both conditions are considered to pass these tests. The purpose of the analyses is todetermine whether adding biochar to soil has an effect on worm behaviour and seed4 v:v – volume:volume denotes a ratio situation where the annotation is anticipating equivalentunits of volume measurement in a dilution or blend (e.g. a 1:5 v:v biochar:water blend couldindicate the need to blend 1L of biochar with 5L of water)w:w – weight:weight denotes a ratio situation where the annotation anticipates equivalent unitsof weight measurement in a dilution or blend (e.g. a 1:5 w:w biochar:soil blend could indicatethe need to blend 1 kg of biochar with 5 kg of soil)International Biochar Initiative – Guidelines for Specifications of Biochars for Use in Soils 25
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