Synergistic Effect of Biochar and Microalgae on Improving the Physical Properties of a Fire-Affected Silt loam Soil

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Soil Science and Engineering- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences-, University of Guilan,-Rasht-Iran

2 Department of Soil Science and Engineering-Faculty of Agricultural Sciences- Rasht-Iran

3 Department of Soil Science and Engineering-Faculty of Agricultural Sciences-Rasht-Iran

Abstract

Nature-based solutions for the restoration of damaged soils are of great importance due to their consideration of intrinsic resilience and ecosystem sustainability. However, the efficacy of such methods, such as the application of biochar and photosynthetic microorganisms, in improving the properties of damaged soils needs to be examined. In the present study, a loamy silt soil from a fire-affected forest area in Roudbar, Gilan province, was collected and treated with 2% and 5% by weight biochar produced from pine wood residues (treatments B2 and B5), the microalgae Scenedesmus sp. (treatment S), and their combinations (treatments SB2 and SB5). After a six-month incubation period, some chemical and structural properties of the soil were measured. The mean comparison results showed that biochar and microalgae, both individually and in combination, significantly increased pH, organic carbon content, bulk density, porosity, and aggregate stability. Except for treatment S, all other biochar and microalgae treatments increased the soil's electrical conductivity (EC). Treatment SB5 showed the greatest effect, increasing soil organic carbon content and porosity by approximately 117% and 30%, respectively. The highest increase in mean weight diameter (MWD) was observed in treatment S, while the greatest increase in geometric mean diameter (GMD) and decrease in fractal dimension (FD) of aggregates were related to treatment SB2. A higher GMD indicates a more uniform size distribution, and a lower FD suggests less aggregate fragmentation in treatment SB2. Therefore, biochar, with its recalcitrant carbon content and ability to create porosity, along with microalgae through photosynthetic carbon fixation and the secretion of adhesive polysaccharides that bind soil aggregates—particularly in combined applications with a synergistic effect—effectively contributes to enhancing carbon storage and improving the stability of degraded soils.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Introduction

Wildfires are a global threat to forest ecosystems, causing significant soil degradation and nutrient loss through volatilization and erosion. In Iran, wildfire frequency has increased, with over a thousand events annually in forested areas. Fire can drastically alter soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, including organic matter loss, reduced aggregate stability, increased bulk density, formation of hydrophobic compounds, and enhanced runoff. While traditional post-fire rehabilitation relies on engineering interventions, nature-based solutions such as biochar and soil microorganisms are gaining attention. Biochar, produced from pyrolyzed biomass including fire-damaged or pruned residues, enhances soil quality, carbon sequestration, and fertility. Microalgae and biological soil crusts improve soil structure through carbon fixation and extracellular polysaccharide production. Although the benefits of biochar and microalgae individually are documented, their combined effects remain underexplored. This study evaluates the effectiveness of pine-derived biochar and the microalga Scenedesmus sp., applied alone and together, in improving chemical, physical, and structural properties of wildfire-affected forest soils.

Materials and Methods

Soil samples were collected in autumn 2024 from three burned forest sites in Rudbar, Gilan Province, Iran, and combined to form representative composite samples. Biochar was produced from pine and fir branches via pyrolysis at 650 °C, followed by milling and sieving. The microalga Scenedesmus sp. was cultured to a concentration of 10⁸ cells mL⁻¹ and applied to the soil at 60% of field capacity. Experimental treatments included a control, biochar at 2% and 5%, microalgae, and their combinations (SB2 and SB5). Each unit contained 8 kg of soil in metal microplots (40 × 45 × 4 cm) and was incubated for six months under controlled conditions (20–25 °C, 60% water holding capacity). after incubation, soil samples were collected for laboratory analyses. Chemical properties—pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and soil organic carbon (SOC)—were determined, followed by assessment of physical and structural characteristics, including mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), fractal dimension, bulk density, particle density, and porosity. Soil pH was measured in a saturated paste, EC from the corresponding extract, and SOC by wet oxidation. Bulk and particle densities were determined using the clod and pycnometer methods, respectively. All measurements followed standard soil science protocols to ensure accuracy and reproducibility.

Results

The studied soil was alkaline with a silt loam texture. Pine-derived biochar had near-neutral pH, low electrical conductivity, and higher organic carbon with a reduced H/C ratio, indicating increased aromaticity and chemical stability, while SEM imaging revealed a highly porous structure that could enhance moisture and nutrient retention. Analysis of variance showed that treatments significantly affected chemical properties (pH, EC, organic carbon) at p < 0.01, and physical properties (MWD, GMD, fractal dimension, bulk density, porosity) at p < 0.01, with particle density significant at p < 0.05. application of biochar, single microalgae (S), and their combinations improved both chemical and physical soil properties. The S treatment slightly increased pH and reduced EC, while organic carbon increased most in SB5, highlighting the synergistic effect of biochar and microalgae on carbon cycling. SB5 also showed the greatest increases in MWD and GMD, decreased fractal dimension (Df) in SB5 and SB2, reduced bulk density, and highest porosity, reflecting improved aggregate stability and soil structure. overall, combining biochar and microalgae offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly strategy to rehabilitate fire-degraded soils, enhancing water infiltration, reducing erosion, supporting vegetation recovery, and promoting long-term resilience and functionality of forest ecosystems.

Conclusion

This study showed that biochar and microalgae, particularly in combination, have strong potential to restore fire-affected forest soils. Combined treatments improved key soil properties, including bulk density, porosity, aggregate stability, and organic carbon content, more effectively than individual applications. SB2 (2% biochar + microalgae) optimized stable aggregate distribution and porosity, while SB5 (5% biochar + microalgae) achieved the highest increase in soil organic carbon. An antagonistic effect on soil salinity was noted, warranting further investigation. Overall, the integration of biochar and microalgae offers a sustainable, cost-effective strategy to enhance soil structure, water infiltration, and erosion control, promoting vegetation recovery and the resilience of degraded forest ecosystems.

Funding:

The study was funded by the University of Guilan, Iran.

Authorship contribution:

Conceptualization, Sepideh Abrishamkesh.; methodology, Sepideh Abrishamkesh. and Nasrin Ghorbanzadeh; software, Mahsa Kouhestani ordoomahaleh; validation, Sepideh Abrishamkesh. and Nasrin Ghorbanzadeh. and Nafiseh Yaghmaeian; formal analysis, Sepideh Abrishamkesh. and Mahsa Kouhestani ordoomahaleh; resources, Mahsa Kouhestani ordoomahaleh. and Sepideh Abrishamkesh; data curation, Mahsa Kouhestani ordoomahaleh; writing—original draft preparation, Mahsa Kouhestani ordoomahaleh; writing—review and editing, Sepideh Abrishamkesh. and Nasrin Ghorbanzadeh. and Nafiseh Yaghmaeian. supervision, Sepideh Abrishamkesh; project administration, Sepideh Abrishamkesh; funding acquisition, Sepideh Abrishamkesh. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Authorship must be limited to those who have contributed substantially to the work reported.

All authors contributed equally to the conceptualization of the article and writing of the original and subsequent drafts.

The authorships didn’t use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.

Data availability statement:

Data available on request from the authors.

Acknowledgements:

The authors would like to thank all participants in the present study. The authors also would like to thank anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions in manuscript revision.

Ethical considerations:

The authors avoided data fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, and any form of misconduct.

Conflict of interest:

 The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 57, Issue 1
March 2026
Pages 169-188

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