Effects of biochar addition on the abundance, speciation, availability, and leaching loss of soil phosphorus

As a promising soil amendment, biochar has demonstrated its potential for influencing soil nutrient transformations. The effects of biochar on soil phosphorus (P) transformations have received much less attention than its effects on carbon cycling. A review of the literature reveals that biochar applications to soils may have notable effects on the abundance, speciation, availability, and leaching loss of soil P. However, a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the biochar-induced environmental behavior of soil P has not been obtained so far. Therefore, in this review, we analyzed and identified the known and potential mechanisms through which biochar affects P behavior in soils: (1) biochar as a source of P provides soluble and exchangeable P to soil; (2) biochar enhances the availability of endogenic soil P by influencing P-related complexation and metabolism effects; and (3) biochar affects P leaching losses directly or indirectly by adsorbing P, improving P retention by soil, and facilitating P assimilation by plants. By presenting a broad and detailed illustration of P behaviors in biochar-amended soils, this paper suggests that the application of biochar to soils will help enlarge soil P pools, increase soil P availability, and decrease P leaching losses from soil. Additional studies are needed to further elucidate the long-term effects of biochar addition on soil P transformations, explore how biochar-derived dissolved organic matter (BDOM) affects the mobility and availability of soil mineral-associated P, and examine the transport of particulate P in biochar-amended soils. • Soil endogenic P availability will be enhanced by biochar application. • P leaching loss from soil can be reduced by biochar application. • Long-term field studies on P behaviors in biochar-amended soils are needed. • The transport of particulate P in biochar-amended soils remains to be explored.