Spectroscopic evidence for biochar amendment promoting humic acid synthesis and intensifying humification during composting

Despite the many benefits of biochar amendment in composting, little information is available about its effects on organic matter humification during the process. In this study the analytical results for two in-vessel composting piles were compared, one amended with biochar (VPSB, pig manure + sawdust + biochar) and the other serving as a control (VPS, pig manure + sawdust). During the 74 days of humification, the increased content of humic acid carbon in VPSB is 16.9% more than that of the control. Spectroscopic analyses show a higher O-alkyl C/alkyl C ratio and aromaticity in VPSB at the thermophilic phase, and peak intensities of fulvic-like and humic-like substances were achieved faster in VPSB than VPS. These data inferred that biochar amendment promoted the neo-synthesis of humic acids and intensified the humification of pig manure. Increase in carboxylic groups of biochar as a result of oxidation reactions and sorption of humic substances may correspond to the faster formation of aromatic polymers in biochar-supplemented composting pile. The results suggest that biochar amendment might be a potential method to enhance humification during pig manure composting.