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Abstract: Effects of dry and wet storage methods without or with shredding on the conversion of corn stover biomass were investigated using steam explosion pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Sugar conversions and yields for wet stored biomass were obviously higher than those for dry stored biomass. Shredding reduced sugar conversions compared with non-shredding, but increased sugar yields. Glucan conversion and glucose yield for non-shredded wet stored biomass reached 91.5% and 87.6% after 3-month storage, respectively. Data of micro-structure and crystallinity of biomass indicated that corn stover biomass maintained the flexible and porous structure after wet storage, and hence led to the high permeability of corn stover biomass and the high efficiency of pretreatment and hydrolysis. Therefore, the wet storage methods would be desirable for the conversion of corn stover biomass to fermentable sugars based on steam explosion pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A cost-efficient attapulgite-hydrochar composite (APHC) was prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal treatment and evaluated for cadmium (Cd) immobilization in contaminated soils. The results showed that APHC could effectively reduce the leaching Cd content by 32.1%, and the immobilization efficiency was significantly improved by 70.2% compared to pristine hydrochar (HC). By the introduction of APHC, the contaminated soils showed the highest reduction rate of 91.0% for acid-soluble Cd, and the ecological risk of amended soils was remarkably reduced from high-risk polluted grade to low-risk rank compared to original contaminated soils. The pot experiments indicated that APHC could effectively decrease the adsorbed amount of Cd in paddy rice by 71.2% and reduce the inhibition effect of Cd on plant growth and biomass production. The mechanism study showed that surface complexation, cation exchange and electrostatic attraction played significant roles in immobilizing Cd in contaminated soils. The present study offered a potentially promising approach to prepare cost-effective and eco-friendly amendments from waste biomass for in situ immobilization of heavy metal contaminated soils. [Display omitted] • A cost-effective attapulgite-hydrochar composite material was prepared. • The composite was superior to pristine hydrochar for cadmium immobilization. • The composite promoted paddy rice growth and biomass production. • The composite exhibited promising potential as an alternative soil amendment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]