Field trials on use of biochar versus peat for land reclamation purposes

• Main Authors: Petelina, Elizaveta, Klyashtorin, Alexey, Yankovich, Tamara
• Other Authors: British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium, University of British Columbia. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Revegetation; Native boreal species; Organic amendment; Mineral fertilizer; Soil; Gunnar; Lake Athabasca
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/51149

Biochar application for revegetation purposes in northern Saskatchewan was studied to determine its effectiveness as a soil amendment in establishing sustainable vegetative soil covers. The abandoned Gunnar Mine Site, located on the northern shore of Lake Athabasca, served as a study area to test the effectiveness of biochar as a soil amendment. Field trials were carried out to compare the effect of biochar and peat application on the growth and establishment of native plant species. The field trials showed that peat promotes vegetation cover establishment better than biochar. Biochar also had a positive effect on vegetation recovery through both establishment of seeded plants and self-establishment of natural invaders (plant species not seeded during the experiment). Peat and biochar had different effects as soil amendments, depending on the plant species. It was shown that both peat and biochar can be used to promote plant establishment and growth, but biochar effectiveness may vary depending on its properties. Non UBC Unreviewed Other