Speaker   Prof. Nanthi Bolan (University of Newcastle, Australia)
Session Chair   Prof. Wong Ming-Hung
Date and Time   8 March 2017 (Wednesday) 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Venue   D4-LP-05, Tai Po Campus
Language   English

Abstract

Biochar application to soil has been shown to enhance carbon sequestration, soil health and remediation of contamination. Biochar influence nutrient interactions in soil through various processes: (i) by acting as a nutrient source, thereby supplying nutrients; (ii) by acting as a nutrient sink, thereby reducing their mobility and bioavailability; and (iii) by altering soil properties, thereby altering nutrient reactions and cycling in soil.  As a source, biochar can supply nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other trace elements inherently present in original feedstock used for biochar synthesis. While some of nitrogen and sulphur nutrients in the feedstock materials are lost through gaseous emission, these nutrients are released during the weathering of biochar in soil and becomes available for plant uptake. As a sink, biochar can retain nutrients thereby reducing their losses through leaching and gaseous emission.  Biochar application influences various soil properties including pH, bulk density, cation exchange capacity, water retention, biological activity. These changes in soil properties are likely to impact nutrient reactions with soil particles and microbial transformation of nutrients.  This seminar presentation provides some case studies involving biochar-nutrient interactions (ammonia volatilization, nitrous oxide emission, and nitrate, phosphate and potassium leaching) in relation to nutrient use efficiency and uptake by plants.

About the Speaker

Prof. Nanthi Bolan completed his PhD in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition at the University of Western Australia, and is currently working as a Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Newcastle. His teaching and research interests include agronomic value of manures, fertilisers and soil amendments, soil acidification, nutrient and carbon cycling, pesticide and metal pollutants interactions in soils, greenhouse gas emission, soil remediation, and waste and waste water management. Prof. Bolan is a Fellow of American Soil Science Society, American Society of Agronomy and New Zealand Soil Science Society, and was awarded the Communicator of the Year award by the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural Sciences.  He has supervised more than 50 postgraduate students, and was awarded the Massey University Research Medal for excellence in postgraduate students’ supervision. He has published more than 300 book chapters and journal papers, and was awarded the M.L. Leamy Award by NZ Soil Science Society in recognition of the most meritorious contribution to soil science. Prof. Bolan is currently serving as the Associate Editor of Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology.