Publications by authors named "Sergio M Abit"
Article Synopsis
- The study explores how adding biochar to different soils affects the retention of specific bacteria (O157:H7 and Typhimurium) and microspheres.
- Researchers found that biochar, particularly when pyrolyzed at 700°C, generally improved the retention of bacteria in fine sand, with pine chip biochar being the most effective.
- It was determined that changes in bacterial retention were mainly due to how bacteria attached to surfaces rather than changes in survival or physical barriers, highlighting the importance of soil texture in these processes.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how different types of biochar, made from poultry litter and pine chips and processed at varying temperatures, influence the movement of E. coli through fine sand soil under different moisture conditions.
- Biochars produced at 700 °C significantly reduced E. coli transport, especially the ones made from pine chips, while those made at 350 °C had mixed effects depending on the feedstock.
- The impact of biochar on E. coli movement was more significant in unsaturated soils and at higher application rates, highlighting the role of bacterial characteristics in how biochar interacts with E. coli transport.
The incorporation of biochar into soils has been proposed as a means to sequester carbon from the atmosphere. An added environmental benefit is that biochar has also been shown to increase soil retention of nutrients, heavy metals, and pesticides. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether biochar amendments affect the transport of Escherichia coli through a water-saturated soil.
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