Reproducing the organic matter model of anthropogenic dark earth of Amazonia and testing the ecotoxicity of functionalized charcoal compounds

Carolina Rodrigues Linhares, Jasmin Lemke, Ruben Auccaise, Daniele Avilez Duó, Roberta Lourenço Ziolli, Witold Kwapinski, Etelvino Henrique Novotny

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The objective of this work was to obtain organic compounds similar to the ones found in the organic matter of anthropogenic dark earth of Amazonia (ADE) using a chemical functionalization procedure on activated charcoal, as well as to determine their ecotoxicity. Based on the study of the organic matter from ADE, an organic model was proposed and an attempt to reproduce it was described. Activated charcoal was oxidized with the use of sodium hypochlorite at different concentrations. Nuclear magnetic resonance was performed to verify if the spectra of the obtained products were similar to the ones of humic acids from ADE. The similarity between spectra indicated that the obtained products were polycondensed aromatic structures with carboxyl groups: a soil amendment that can contribute to soil fertility and to its sustainable use. An ecotoxicological test with Daphnia similis was performed on the more soluble fraction (fulvic acids) of the produced soil amendment. Aryl chloride was formed during the synthesis of the organic compounds from activated charcoal functionalization and partially removed through a purification process. However, it is probable that some aryl chloride remained in the final product, since the ecotoxicological test indicated that the chemical functionalized soil amendment is moderately toxic.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)693-698
Number of pages6
JournalPesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira
Volume47
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2012

Keywords

  • Biochar
  • Chemical oxidation
  • Daphnia similis
  • Fractionation of humic substances
  • Nuclear magnetic resonance
  • Pyrogenic carbon

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Reproducing the organic matter model of anthropogenic dark earth of Amazonia and testing the ecotoxicity of functionalized charcoal compounds'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this