Potentially migrating and residual components of biochar: Effects on phosphorus adsorption performance and storage capacity of black soil

Biochar has great potential to increase the soil nutrient storage capacity. However, with aging, biochar gradually disintegrates and releases fractions with migration potential, resulting in unknown effects on soil nutrient regulation. Based on this problem, we used ultrasound to separate original biochar (TB) into potentially migrating biochar (DB) and residual biochar (RB). The elemental composition and pore characteristics of TB, DB and RB were analyzed. Different fractions of biochar were applied to black soil, and the kinetic model and isothermal adsorption models were used to explore the adsorption characteristics of different treatments. Then, the effects of initial pH and coexisting ions on adsorption were compared. The adsorption mechanism and potential leaching process of phosphorus in soil were investigated. The results showed that RB had higher O and H contents and was less stable than TB, while RB was more aromatic. The phosphorus adsorption capacity of different treatments was SRB (1.3318 mg g−1) > STB (1.2873 mg g−1) > SDB (1.3025 mg g−1) > SCK (1.1905 mg g−1). SRB had optimal phosphorus adsorption performance and storage capacity, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 1.6741 mg g−1 for the Langmuir isotherm, and it also showed excellent applicability in a pH gradient and with coexisting ions. The main adsorption mode of phosphorus by different treatments was monolayer chemisorption, related to electrostatic repulsion and oxygen-containing functional groups. DB was less effective in inhibiting soil phosphorus migration, with the cumulative leaching of SDB reaching 8.99 mg and the percentage of phosphorus in the 0–6 cm soil layer reaching only 15.42%. Overall, the results can help elucidate potential trends in the adsorption performance and migration process of soil phosphorus by biochar, and improve the comprehensive utilization efficiency of biochar. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd