Insight into the pathways of biochar/smectite-induced humification during chicken manure composting

As representative organic and inorganic additives, both biochar and smectite exhibit an excellent capacity to improve humification efficiency during composting. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying biochar/smectite-induced compost humification have still not been fully explored from the perspective of overall organic substances. In this study, three composting treatments were performed as follows: 10 % biochar-amended composting, 10 % smectite-amended composting and natural composting without any additive. UV-visible parameters and synchronous hetero two-dimensional correlation spectra showed that biochar accelerated dissolved organic matter (DOM) complications, unsaturation and aromatization. For example, biochar promoted the C2 and simple C3 peaks to convert into a sophisticated C3/360 peak. However, the effect of smectite was negligible in complicating the DOM structure. Both biochar and smectite displayed an invigorating role in promoting humic substance (HS) formation. The strengthened relations between bacterial richness and physicochemical indicators and HS fractions might contribute to the positive action of biochar/smectite on HS synthesis. Network analysis showed that both bacterial functional omnipotence and specialization in response to the addition of catalysts may contribute to compost humification. The chemical pathway involved in DOM humification was intensified by enhancing the role of pH in biochar composting and weakening the degradation of unsaturated aromatic compounds of DOM with smectite addition. These findings benefit the practical application of biochar/smectite in promoting composting efficiency.