Water hyacinth biomass-based biochar: Preparation and characterizations for sustainable soil amendment

Abstract This study investigates the utilization of biochar (WHBC) from water hyacinth biomass (WHBM) for sustainable soil amendment to improve soil quality. WHBM and WHBC are prepared and characterized with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). For that, physiochemical, proximate, ultimate, and elemental analyses are done and characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) to identify the suitability of soil amendment. WH biomass is carbonized with a limited air supply in a muffle furnace, and the study found that 300–664 °C temperature is the optimum condition for producing biochar from TGA. XRD of WHBC displayed more crystallinity than WHBM. FTIR of WHBC showed higher carbon stability increment than WHBM. The SEM micrograph of WHBM showed that compact, and fibril structures and WHBC revealed macroscopic changes that can significantly improve the soil properties. EDAX analysis of WHBM and WHBC proved that various soil nutrients can be helpful for plant growth. The study shows that WHBM can be utilized as a soil quality amendment material by converting it to biochar and an effective material for carbon storage in soils.