Biochar
What Is Biochar?
Biochar is agricultural charcoal produced through pyrolysis: burning biomass (plant matter) under zero oxygen conditions. Pyrolysis fixes existing carbon in the biomass, resulting in a stable carbon structure which will take hundreds of years to biodegrade. Biochar effectively interrupts the natural carbon cycle of plant growth and decay, sequestering carbon and reducing atmospheric CO2.
Biochar is agricultural charcoal produced through pyrolysis: burning biomass (plant matter) under zero oxygen conditions. Pyrolysis fixes existing carbon in the biomass, resulting in a stable carbon structure which will take hundreds of years to biodegrade. Biochar effectively interrupts the natural carbon cycle of plant growth and decay, sequestering carbon and reducing atmospheric CO2.
Biochar can be produced from any combination of available biomass; some examples include waste wood, sugarcane and tobacco waste and food preparation waste. Biochar field trials are currently underway worldwide to assess biochar’s effectiveness as a soil supplement and carbon sequestration tool in different climates.
Biochar offers potential synergies between enhanced soil fertility, food security, renewable energy production and the reduction of atmospheric CO2. Early evidence indicates that biochar can help the transition to long-term sustainable soil management practices.
Biochar benefits include:
- Stabilizes soil by Increasing biological activity.
- Increases soil fertility on a long term basis.
- Increases soil porosity, which increases water retention.
- Increases biodiversity.
- Reduces the risk of compromised crop yields from climate change.
- Filters out contaminants from shallow soil water due to its honeycomb structure.
- Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus.
- May reduce the amount of stormwater runoff after significant storm events.
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