Presented by Haimanote K. Bayabil, Johannes C. Lehmann, Birru Yitaferu, Cathelijne Stoof and Tammo S. Steenhuis at the Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC) Science Workshop–2013, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9 – 10 July 2013

1. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Effects of Biochar and Charcoal on Soil-Hydraulic Properties
Haimanote K. Bayabil1*
, Johannes C. Lehmann2
, Birru Yitaferu3
, Cathelijne
Stoof1
, and Tammo S. Steenhuis1
1
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14850, USA.
2
Department of Crop and Soil Science, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 1850, USA. 3
Soil and Water Research
Directorate, Amhara Region Agricultural Research Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC) Science Workshop
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9–10 July 2013

2. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Introduction
Agri.
Productivity
• Scarce and expensive

3. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Biochar-Charcoal Amendments
Soil
Physical
Hydraulic
Chemical
Soil

4. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Impacts on Soil Moisture
Coarse
C
L
A
Y
S
A
N
D
Soil
Moisture
Fine

5. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Objectives
1. To assess dominant soil physical &
hydraulic properties in the watershed
2. To evaluate the effects of biochar and
charcoal amendments on permeability and
moisture retention characteristics of
drying soils.

6. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
 Study Site
 Location:10o
40' N/37o
31’E
 Area is 113.4 ha
 Elevation:2407–2507m
 Data Sources
1. Field Measurements
 Infiltration, Soil depth
1. Laboratory tests
 Texture, BD, OC, & pH
1. Column Experiments
 54 soil-cores (30 cm length and 12 cm height)
 Two Biochar and Three Charcoal treatments @ 5g/kg soil
1. Five year event precipitation data (1989-1993)
Methodology

7. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Field Soil Properties
Results & Discussion
Clay=42%
OC =1.1%

8. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Precipitation & Infiltration Rate
21%
 <15min & 6.3mm/h = 68%
 Av. Precipitation = 1616mm/yr  fs => 1.9-36.4mm/h
(CV= 70%)

9. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Waterlogging Issues

10. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Treatments Effect on Soil
Moisture Retention
Columns with diff
letters are sign at
(p<0.05).

11. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Treatments Effect Available
Water Content (AWC)
* Treatment differences were not significant (p>0.05)

12. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Treatments Effect on Hydraulic
Conductivity (Kr)

13. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Possible Mechanisms ??
 Macropore formation
 Clay Flocculation
*pH
Ca2+
Mg2+
K+
Na+
MCAR SAR
(CmolC/Kg)
Biochar
Corn 9.4 36.59 66.93 65.92 4.83 31.10 2.13
Oak 7.5 5.12 0.21 4.27 1.00 10.20 1.93
Charcoal
Acacia 8.2 0.08 0.10 0.15 0.01 1.77 0.13
Eucalyp 8.7 0.07 0.01 0.13 0.03 2.47 0.40
Hydrophobicity

14. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Conclusion
1. Biochar and Charcoal improve hydraulic property
(permeability) of degraded soils with waterlogging
issues
2. Considering soil physical & hydraulic properties is
crucial for effective soil & water management
planning.

15. Biological and Environmental Engineering
Soil & Water Research Group
Ongoing Research
Funding
─Norman Borlaug International Science &
Technology Fellowship (LEAP)
─Higher Education for Development (HED)
GHG
Runoff &
Erosion