PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PROSOPIS JULIFLORA BIOMASS FOR SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE UTILIZATION: A CLIMATE ACTION

Abstract

Background: Prosopis juliflora is an invasive woody species that produces substantial quantities of biomass in arid and semi-arid regions. Baseline physicochemical characterization is required before specific utilization pathways are evaluated. This study characterized selected physical, chemical, and mineral properties of Prosopis juliflora biomass collected from two locations in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Methods: Equal proportions of processed biomass from the two sampling locations were homogenized to prepare a composite sample. Selected physicochemical parameters were measured in triplicate as analytical replicates of the composite sample.

Results: The biomass had a pH of 5.80, electrical conductivity of 0.65 dS m⁻¹, bulk density of 0.25 g cm⁻³, particle density of 1.00 g cm⁻³, porosity of 75%, and water-holding capacity of 220%. Organic carbon was 45%, total nitrogen was 0.98%, available phosphorus was 30.0 mg kg⁻¹, and total potassium was 0.06%. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, iron, and manganese were recorded at 14,990, 682, 780, 144, 1,200, and 8.5 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead were below the instrumental detection limits under the analytical conditions used.

Conclusion: The findings provide preliminary baseline information for the composite biomass sample prepared from the two selected locations. They can guide future investigations of Prosopis juliflora biomass, but broader spatial sampling, independent replication, and additional structural, thermal, and application-specific performance testing are required before specific utilization pathways are established.

Methods: Standard analytical protocols were deployed to characterize the raw biomass. Biomass collected from two sampling locations was homogenized to prepare a composite sample, and all analyses were performed in triplicate. The evaluation encompassed key physical and chemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density, particle density, water-holding capacity (WHC), organic carbon, and primary macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), alongside trace mineral constituents, to determine its overall material potential.

Results: Analytical testing revealed a moderately acidic profile (pH 5.80) and an EC of 0.65 dS m⁻¹. The biomass had a water-holding capacity of 220% and organic carbon content of 45%. Quantitative profiling of the macronutrients yielded 0.98% N, 30.0 mg kg⁻¹ P, and 0.06% K, while physical analysis showed a bulk density of 0.25 g cm⁻³ and a particle density of 1.00 g cm⁻³. Mineral profiling indicated 14,990 mg kg⁻¹ calcium, 682 mg kg⁻¹ magnesium, and 1,200 mg kg⁻¹ iron. Collectively, these physicochemical characteristics indicate that Prosopis juliflora biomass is rich in carbon and contains essential nutrients, supporting its potential for bio-based applications. The high carbon content, together with the fact that analysed heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb) were below detection limits, indicates potential suitability for future biochar and composite material investigations; however, further proximate, structural, and thermal analyses are required. All reported values represent the mean of triplicate analytical measurements of the homogenized composite sample.

Conclusion: These characteristics indicate that Prosopis juliflora biomass may serve as a valuable feedstock for bio-based applications. Strategically utilizing this invasive species offers a dual benefit: mitigating biological invasions to aid regional ecosystem restoration and enabling sustainable biomass management in support of global climate goals (SDG-13).