Magnesium activation affects the properties and phosphate sorption capacity of poultry litter biochar

Biochars with a high affinity for phosphorus (P) are promising soil amendments for reducing P in agricultural run-off. Poultry litter (PL) is an abundant biochar feedstock. However, PL-derived biochars are typically high in soluble P and therefore require chemical modification to become effective P sorbents. This study investigated the effect of magnesium (Mg) activation on extractable P (EP) and P sorption capacities of PL-derived biochars. Biochar was produced at 500-900 °C from PL activated with 0-1 M Mg. Three differentially aged PL feedstocks were evaluated (1-, 3-5-, and 7-9-year-old). Increased Mg activation level and pyrolysis temperature both resulted in EP reductions from the biochars. Specifically, biochars produced at temperatures ≥ 700 °C from PL activated with ≥ 0.25 M Mg had negligible EP. X-ray diffractograms indicated that increased Mg loading favored the formation of stable Mg₃(PO₄)₂ phases while increasing temperature favored the formation of both Mg₃(PO₄)₂ and Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH. Maximum P sorption capacities (P_max) of the biochars were estimated by fitting Langmuir isotherms to batch sorption data and ranged from 0.66-10.35 mg g^-1. Average P_max values were not affected by PL age or pyrolysis temperature; however, biochars produced from 1 M Mg-activated PL did have significantly higher average P_max values (p < 0.05), likely due to a greater abundance of MgO. Overall, the results demonstrated that Mg activation is an effective strategy for producing PL-derived biochars with the potential ability to reduce P loading into environmentally sensitive ecosystems.