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What is Biochar?
Biochar is a carbon-rich charcoal-like substance produced from organic waste materials through a process called pyrolysis. When used as an organic soil amendment, biochar offers numerous benefits to soils, including: increasing water and nutrient retention and boosting soil fertility.
Moreover, integrating biochar into agricultural supply chains can effectively sequester carbon whilst also contributing to an overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The practice of using charcoal to enhance soil fertility dates back at least 2,500 years in the Amazon basin. Native Indians developed a method known as Terra Preta, which involves mixing biochar, organic materials, and broken pottery into soil plots ranging from 1 to 80 hectares.
This technique, in part, has resulted in soil that remains fertile to this day, despite the typically infertile tropical soils of the region and minimal to no use of fertilisers.
How Biochar Contributes to Carbon Removal
Biochar can sequester between 2-3 tons of CO2 per tonne of biochar produced. It plays a significant role in carbon removal by securely locking carbon within a stable structure for hundreds to thousands of years once integrated into soil.
This method of long-term sequestration positions biochar as a crucial strategy in the fight against climate change, as it prevents carbon from re-entering the atmosphere.
Unlike natural decomposition or combustion of organic materials, which release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, biochar remains stable and does not emit these gases. Produced through the process of pyrolysis, where biomass is heated in a low-oxygen environment, biochar maintains approximately half of the carbon originally present in the biomass, providing a durable solution for carbon storage.
Biochar is one of the 6 carbon removal technologies recognized by the IPCC, biochar not only enhances soil properties and agricultural productivity but also represents a scalable, shovel-ready negative emission technology that delivers immediate environmental benefits.
Soil Health Benefits
Besides its carbon removal potential, biochar enhances soil health and agricultural productivity. It improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability. This leads to increased crop yields, reduced fertiliser use, and better resilience against drought.
The improvement of soil health indirectly reduces carbon emissions by lessening the need for chemical inputs and their associated environmental footprint.
Water Retention and Quality
Biochar’s porous structure helps soils retain water, making it an excellent tool for regions prone to drought. Its ability to filter and adsorb contaminants also improves water quality, reducing pollutants in runoff.1 gram of biochar can have a surface area of 300m2 which gives it its high porosity and absorption capacity.
Enhancing Circular Economy
Creating biochar from organic waste is a prime example of a circular economy in action. Instead of waste material decomposing and releasing greenhouse gases, it’s turned into a valuable product that sequesters carbon and improves soil fertility.
Potential Applications
Conclusion
Biochar carbon removal offers an innovative solution to two pressing issues: excess atmospheric carbon and soil degradation. By creating biochar from waste biomass, we can lock away carbon while simultaneously improving soil health and agricultural productivity. As the world seeks scalable, nature-based climate solutions, biochar is poised to play an increasingly significant role in carbon removal efforts.
BioFlux remains at the forefront of the biochar revolution. By integrating biochar into our projects, we contribute significantly to carbon sequestration and empower communities and industries to achieve their sustainability goals. Beyond our own initiatives, BioFlux actively facilitates the development of biochar projects for other stakeholders, effectively lowering barriers to entry and enhancing global adoption of this transformative technology.
Join us in our journey to make a lasting impact on the planet—explore our projects, support our initiatives, and help us promote a more sustainable future.
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