<abstract xml:lang="et" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion have increased the use of biomass for energy production. As a consequence of the increased use of biofuels, the production of ashes will increase greatly in the near future. Because of relatively high contents of plant nutrients, biofuel ashes can be recycled as mineral fertilisers to compensate for the loss of nutrients resulting from tree harvesting. The present review aims to summarise the available information on factors affecting the quality of the wood and peat ash and the implications arising from ash application as fertiliser in the forest ecosystems. The understanding of the wood ash as fertiliser originates from the traditional slash-and-burn agriculture. During combustion most elements in wood are retained in the ash. The quality and chemical composition of ashes depends on many factors. The major elements in the ashes are calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, iron, phosphorus and sulphur. Trace elements found in different ash include barium, boron, cadmium, copper, mercury and zinc. The most abundant elements in peat ash are silicon, iron and aluminium. Ashes are characterised by high alkalinity with pH in the range from 11 to 13. Ashes raise the pH and reduce the total acidity in the humus layer and in the top of the mineral soil. The addition of wood ash does not result in a significant growth increase on mineral soils but increases the tree growth on peat soils. The Cd in wood ash did not become bioavailable and harmful to forest biota. The application of wood ash did not change or even decreased the <sup>137</sup>Cs activity within forest soil. Wood ash application increased the coverage of the ground vegetation in upland forests and on peatland. Increase in microbial activity and growth rate after ash treatment was observed.</p></abstract>

Negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion have increased the use of biomass for energy production. As a consequence of the increased use of biofuels, the production of ashes will increase greatly in the near future. Because of relatively high contents of plant nutrients, biofuel ashes can be recycled as mineral fertilisers to compensate for the loss of nutrients resulting from tree harvesting. The present review aims to summarise the available information on factors affecting the quality of the wood and peat ash and the implications arising from ash application as fertiliser in the forest ecosystems. The understanding of the wood ash as fertiliser originates from the traditional slash-and-burn agriculture. During combustion most elements in wood are retained in the ash. The quality and chemical composition of ashes depends on many factors. The major elements in the ashes are calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, iron, phosphorus and sulphur. Trace elements found in different ash include barium, boron, cadmium, copper, mercury and zinc. The most abundant elements in peat ash are silicon, iron and aluminium. Ashes are characterised by high alkalinity with pH in the range from 11 to 13. Ashes raise the pH and reduce the total acidity in the humus layer and in the top of the mineral soil. The addition of wood ash does not result in a significant growth increase on mineral soils but increases the tree growth on peat soils. The Cd in wood ash did not become bioavailable and harmful to forest biota. The application of wood ash did not change or even decreased the 137Cs activity within forest soil. Wood ash application increased the coverage of the ground vegetation in upland forests and on peatland. Increase in microbial activity and growth rate after ash treatment was observed.

Use of biofuel ashes in forestry

Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Viljandi mnt. 18B, 11216 Tallinn, Estonia

Forestry Studies

{"article-title":"Use of biofuel ashes in forestry"}

Negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion have increased the use of biomass for energy production. As a consequence of the increased use of...

Use of biofuel ashes in forestry

Publié en ligne: 24 mars 2011

Pages: 40 - 59

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10132-011-0082-x

Mots clés
biofuels, ashes, growth, forest biota, environment

This content is open access.

Use of biofuel ashes in forestry

Publié en ligne: 24 mars 2011

Pages: 40 - 59

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10132-011-0082-x

Mots clésbiofuels, ashes, growth, forest biota, environment

This content is open access.

Mots clés
biofuels, ashes, growth, forest biota, environment