Biochar-Mediated [C-14]Atrazine Mineralization in Atrazine-Adapted Soils from Belgium and Brazil

Abstract

Biochar addition to soil has been reported to reduce the microbial degradation of pesticides due to sorption of the active compound. This study investigated whether the addition of hardwood biochar alters the mineralization of 14C-labeled atrazine in two atrazine-adapted soils from Belgium and Brazil at different moisture regimens. Biochar addition resulted in an equally high or even in a significantly higher atrazine mineralization compared to the soils without biochar. Statistical analysis revealed that the extent of atrazine mineralization was more influenced by the specific soil than by the addition of biochar. It was concluded that biochar amendment up to 5% by weight does not negatively affect the mineralization of atrazine by an atrazine-adapted soil microflora.