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Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology ›› 2018, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (1): 314-320.doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.201801.024

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Priming effect of biochar on the minerialization of native soil organic carbon and the mechanisms: A review.

CHEN Ying1,2, LIU Yu-xue2,3, CHEN Chong-jun4, LYU Hao-hao2,3, WANG Yu-ying2,3, HE Li-li2,3, YANG Sheng-mao1,2,3*   

  1. 1College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, Zhejiang, China;
    2Institute of Environment, Resource, Soil and Fertilizer, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China;
    3Engineering Research Center of Biochar of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310021, China;
    4School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, Jiangsu, China
  • Received:2017-02-22 Online:2018-01-18 Published:2018-01-18
  • Contact: * E-mail: yangshengmao@263.net
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41701334), the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation (LY14D010005, LY16D010004), the Zhejiang Provincial Key Research and Development Program (2015C03020), the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest of China (201303095) and the Suzhou Science & Technology Plan Project (SYN201411).

Abstract: In recent years, studies on carbon sequestration of biochar in soil has been in spotlight owing to the specific characteristics of biochar such as strong carbon stability and well developed pore structure. However, whether biochar will ultimately increase soil carbon storage or promote soil carbon emissions when applied into the soil? This question remains controversial in current academic circles. Further research is required on priming effect of biochar on mineralization of native soil organic carbon and its mechanisms. Based on the analysis of biochar characteristics, such as its carbon composition and stability, pore structure and surface morphology, research progress on the priming effect of biochar on the decomposition of native soil organic carbon was reviewed in this paper. Furthermore, possible mechanisms of both positive and negative priming effect, that is promoting and suppressing the mineralization, were put forward. Positive priming effect is mainly due to the promotion of soil microbial activity caused by biochar, the preferential mineralization of easily decomposed components in biochar, and the co-metabolism of soil microbes. While negative priming effect is mainly based on the encapsulation and adsorption protection of soil organic matter due to the internal pore structure and the external surface of biochar. Other potential reasons for negative priming effect can be the stabilization resulted from the formation of organic-inorganic complex promoted by biochar in the soil, and the inhibition of activity of soil microbes and its enzymes by biochar. Finally, future research directions were proposed in order to provide theoretical basis for the application of biochar in soil carbon sequestration.