Book ChapterDOI
A review of biochar and its use and function in soil
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TLDR
The potential to sequester carbon as thermally stabilized (charred) biomass using existing organic resource is estimated to be at least 1 Gt/yr − 1 and biochar, defined by its useful application to soil, is expected to provide a benefit from enduring physical and chemical properties.Abstract:
Agricultural activities and soils release greenhouse gases, and additional emissions occur in the conversion of land from other uses. Unlike natural lands, active management offers the possibility to increase terrestrial stores of carbon in various forms in soil. The potential to sequester carbon as thermally stabilized (charred) biomass using existing organic resource is estimated to be at least 1 Gt yr − 1 and “biochar,” defined by its useful application to soil, is expected to provide a benefit from enduring physical and chemical properties. Studies of charcoal tend to suggest stability in the order of 1000 years in the natural environment, and various analytical techniques inform quantification and an understanding of turnover processes. Other types of biochar, such as those produced under zero-oxygen conditions have been studied less, but costs associated with logistics and opportunity costs from diversion from energy or an active form in soil demand certainty and predictability of the agronomic return, especially until eligibility for carbon credits has been established. The mechanisms of biochar function in soil, which appear to be sensitive to the conditions prevailing during its formation or manufacture, are also affected by the material from which it is produced. Proposed mechanisms and some experimental evidence point to added environmental function in the mitigation of diffuse pollution and emissions of trace gases from soil; precluding the possibility of contaminants accumulating in soil from the incorporation of biochar is important to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.read more
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Journal ArticleDOI
Biochar effects on soil biota – A review
Johannes Lehmann,Matthias C. Rillig,Janice E. Thies,Caroline A. Masiello,William C. Hockaday,David E. Crowley +5 more
TL;DR: A review of the literature reveals a significant number of early studies on biochar-type materials as soil amendments either for managing pathogens, as inoculant carriers or for manipulative experiments to sorb signaling compounds or toxins as mentioned in this paper.
Journal ArticleDOI
Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: a review.
Mahtab Ahmad,Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha,Jung Eun Lim,Ming Zhang,Nanthi Bolan,Dinesh Mohan,Meththika Vithanage,Sang Soo Lee,Yong Sik Ok,Yong Sik Ok,Yong Sik Ok +10 more
TL;DR: Due to complexity of soil-water system in nature, the effectiveness of biochars on remediation of various organic/inorganic contaminants is still uncertain.
Journal ArticleDOI
The forms of alkalis in the biochar produced from crop residues at different temperatures
TL;DR: The forms of alkalis of the biochars produced from the straws of canola, corn, soybean and peanut at different temperatures (300, 500 and 700°C) were studied by means of oxygen-limited pyrolysis and it was suggested that carbonates were the major alkaline components in theBiochars generated at the high temperature.
Journal ArticleDOI
Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass residuals: a comparative review of the chemistry, processes and applications of wet and dry pyrolysis
Judy A. Libra,Kyoung S. Ro,Claudia Kammann,Axel Funke,Nicole D. Berge,York Neubauer,Maria-Magdalena Titirici,Christoph Fühner,Oliver Bens,Jürgen Kern,Karl-Heinz Emmerich +10 more
TL;DR: The wet pyrolysis process, also known as hydrothermal carbonization, opens up the field of potential feedstocks for char production to a range of nontraditional renewable and plentiful wet agricultural residues and municipal wastes as discussed by the authors.
Journal ArticleDOI
A review of biochars’ potential role in the remediation, revegetation and restoration of contaminated soils
Luke Beesley,Eduardo Moreno-Jiménez,Jose L. Gomez-Eyles,Eva Harris,Brett Robinson,Tom Sizmur +5 more
TL;DR: Specific mechanisms of contaminant-biochar retention and release over time and the environmental impact of biochar amendments on soil organisms remain somewhat unclear but must be investigated to ensure that the management of environmental pollution coincides with ecological sustainability.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
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Journal ArticleDOI
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