Biochar
CSIRO Land and Water
Biochar has been attracting growing interest due to its potential in carbon sequestration
and in improving soil health. However, further research needs to be undertaken to
answer numerous questions about its properties and the benefits associated with its
production and application.
What is biochar? Not all biochar is
Biochar is a type of charcoal which results created equal
from the thermal treatment (heating) of It is important to note that not all
natural organic materials (e.g. crop waste, biochar is the same. The key chemical and
wood chip, municipal waste, or manure) physical properties of biochar are greatly
in an oxygen-limited environment. This affected by the type of material being
process is referred to as pyrolysis. used and the conditions of the pyrolysis
Due to its aromatic structure, biochar is process (i.e. temperature and time)4,5.
chemically and biologically more stable For example, biochar made from manure > Sample biochar produced by BEST
compared with the carbon from which will have a higher nutrient content than Energies – the company is producing
it was made, making biochar difficult to biochar made from wood cuttings6. commercial quantities from a range
break down. This means that in some However, the biochar from the wood of feedstocks. BEST Energies
cases it can remain stable in soil for cuttings is likely to have a greater degree
hundreds to thousands of years1,2,3. of aromaticity which means it will be of micro-porosity compared with
The production of biochar via more stable over a longer period of biochar produced at 400°C 8. Essentially,
pyrolysis also yields bioenergy in time7. The two different chars will look a higher temperature biochar will have
the form of synthesis gas (or ‘syn- the same but will behave quite differently. a greater potential for adsorption of
gas’). Syn-gas consists of a variety Similarly, biochar that is produced toxic substances and rehabilitation
of gases which in turn can be used at 700°C will have a much greater of contaminated environments.
to produce heat and [Link]-char Bio-energy Lifecycle
adsorptive capacity and higher degree It is important to understand the
characteristics of the biochar being
produced so that these can be matched
to the requirements of its end use.
Biochar Bioenergy Lifecycle
Transport
Energy
Bio-fuel (C) 50%
Biomass - bio-oil
(C) 100% Coproducts (oil, cosmetics)
- manure - hydrogen
- organic wastes Industry
- bioenergy crops (grasses,willows)
- crop residues
Pyrolysis
Residual heat
Optionally, N2, NO x, SO x,
CO 2 can be added to
(C) 50% increase C sink and nutrient
contents
Returned to soil
as Bio-char
> Concept diagram of low-temperature pyroysis bioenergy with biochar sequestration. Typically, about 50% of the pyrolysed
biomass is converted into biochar and can be returned to the soil. Johannes Lehman
Biochar as a soil
conditioner
The addition of biochar to agricultural
soils is receiving much attention due
to the apparent benefits to soil quality
and enhanced crop yields, as well as
the potential to gain carbon credits
by active carbon sequestration.
Some studies have shown > Electron microscope images of biochar showing its porous nature.
that biochar can aid in: Dr Saran Sohi, Edinburgh University, UK
• nutrient retention and cation
exchange capacity
Biochar and greenhouse gas emissions
• decreasing soil acidity
Producing biochar and bioenergy via Due to its high chemical stability, high
• decreased uptake of soil toxins pyrolysis is a carbon-negative process9,10. carbon content and its potential to reside
• improving soil structure The organic materials being burnt are in soil over decades, centuries, and even
naturally part of the photosynthesis cycle, up to millennia, biochar applications have
• nutrient use efficiency so taking the carbon out of the cycle and the potential to turn into a long-term
• water-holding capacity locking it in biochar and bio-gases means carbon sink. Thus, biochar could play an
that there is a net decrease of carbon in important role in helping to sequester
• decreased release of non-CO2
the atmosphere (see diagram on page 3). carbon from the atmosphere and
greenhouse gases (CH4, N2O)
partially offset greenhouse gas emissions
However, even though these functions produced by the burning of fossil fuels.
may lead directly or indirectly to
increased production in some soils, the
benefit of biochar is not universal. In fact,
some biochars may have adverse effects
on plant growth, and not all soils respond
to biochar additions in the same way.
contaminants
Studies that have reported positive biofuel
effects with regard to crop production
often involved highly degraded
and nutrient-poor soils, whereas
application of biochar to fertile
and healthy soils does not always
Pyrolysis plant
yield a positive change. OM input
ut
inp
OM
biochar
> When organic materials
ation
(OM) undergo pyrolysis,
biochar and biofuels are
on
estr
produced, both of u cti
C sequestration rod
sequ
n
which have a number p
tio
rp
of applications.
so
Evelyn Krull, CSIRO
ad
CEC
structure
nutrients
Research needs
There is great potential for biochar
production and application to have
positive outcomes through carbon
sequestration, biofuel production
and improved soil health. However,
there are substantial knowledge gaps
which require further research to
ensure its safe production and use.
A recent report from CSIRO and
Rothamsted Research highlighted
the following research questions:
Is all biochar the same?
There is the need for a database and
rapid screening technique that allows
biochar products to be compared
and matched to a particular use.
How stable is biochar?
At the moment there is no established
method to determine the long-term
carbon sequestration potential of biochar. > Biochar production is a carbon negative process9. Johannes Lehman
Is biochar safe to use?
An environmental risk assessment
which takes into account impacts on
National research efforts
ecosystem needs to be conducted.
In October 2008, CSIRO Land and Water and the New South Wales Department
What are the agronomic benefits? of Primary Industries together with BEST Energies organised a meeting
There is a need to understand and which brought together Australian and New Zealand biochar researchers
predict the underlying processes to exchange ideas and discuss future steps forward for biochar research. The
associated with the results that have been meeting resulted in the formation of the Australian and New Zealand Biochar
observed after application of biochar to Researchers Network (ANZBRN) which aims to improve the coordination
particular soils (e.g. increased nutrient of biochar research and provide information about biochar and its benefits.
retention, water-holding capacity).
Is it economically viable?
The uncertainty around investment
in biochar production and the
market for carbon offsets needs to
be explored further through sound
economic and full life-cycle analysis.
What are the environmental and societal
benefits in developing countries?
Research into the socio-economic
constraints associated with
biochar’s potential to increase crop
yield and restore soil health in > A crop trial, showing comparative productivity results with (left) and without (right)
developing countries is needed. biochar application. Johannes Lehmann
CSIRO Agricultural Sustainability Initiative For further information:
CSIRO’s biochar research is conducted under the auspices of the Managing Dr Evelyn Krull
Australia’s Soil and Landscape Assets (MASaLA) Theme, which is one CSIRO Land and Water
of five themes within CSIRO’s Agricultural Sustainability Initiative. Phone: +61 8 8303 8516
Email: [Link]@[Link]
The importance of a sustainable future for Australia’s agricultural industry Web: [Link]/clw
led CSIRO to set up the Agricultural Sustainability Initiative. The Initiative
is a collaboration across six CSIRO Divisions (including Land and Water,
Entomology, Information and Communication Technologies, Livestock
Industries, Plant Industry, and Sustainable Ecosystems) aimed at tackling the
major drivers of change which are challenging the agricultural industry.
References
1
Pessenda, L.C.R., Gouveia, S.E.M., and Aravena, R., 2001, Radiocarbon dating of total soil organic matter
and humin fraction and its comparison with 14C ages of fossil charcoal, Radiocarbon 43: 595-601.
2
Schmidt, M.W.I., Skjemstad, J.O., and Jager, C., 2002, Carbon isotope geochemistry and
nanomorphology of soil black carbon: Black chernozemic soils in central Europe originate from
ancient biomass burning, Global Biogeochemical Cycles 16: 1123, doi:10.1029/2002GB001939
3
Krull, E.S., Swanston, C.W., Skjemstad, J.O. and McGowan, J.A., 2006, Importance
of charcoal in determining the age and chemistry of organic carbon in surface soils,
Journal Of Geophysical Research, 111, G04001, doi:10.1029/2006JG000194
4
Kimber, S., 2008, Characterisation of biochar by cryo-focusing, double-shot Py-GC-MS, Conference
of the International Biochar Initiative: Biochar, Sustainability and Security in a Changing Climate,
Newcastle, UK, September 8 - 10, [Link]
5
Downie, A., Van Zwieten, L., Chan, Y., Crosky, A. and Munroe, P., 2008, Biochar Feedstock
Choice: An economic/agronomic balance, Conference of the International Biochar Initiative:
Biochar, Sustainability and Security in a Changing Climate, Newcastle, UK, September 8 - 10,
[Link]
6
Chan, K.Y.,van Zwieten, L., Downie, A. and Joseph, S., 2008, Nitrogen content and availability
of biochars from slow pyrolysis, Conference of the International Biochar Initiative: Biochar,
Sustainability and Security in a Changing Climate, Newcastle, UK, September 8 - 10,
[Link]
VRU 2008 • FH080986_CLW_Biochar_Factsheet.indd
7
Singh, B.P. and Cowie, A.L., 2008, Decomposition of biochars in soil (vertisol) and their turnover
time – an important factor affecting the greenhouse balance, Conference of the International
Biochar Initiative: Biochar, Sustainability and Security in a Changing Climate, Newcastle, UK,
September 8 - 10, [Link]
8
Yu, X.-Y., Ying, G.-G. and Kookana, R.S., 2006, Sorption and desorption behaviors of diuron in
soils amended with charcoal, Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 54: 8545-8550
9
Lehmann, J., 2007, A handful of carbon, Nature 447: 143-144 doi:10.1038/447143a
10
Lehmann, J., Gaunt, J. and Rondon, M., 2006, Bio-char sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems
– a review, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 11:403-427.
