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Biochar carbon removal
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Biochar carbon removal
Biochar carbon removal (also called pyrogenic carbon capture and storage) is a negative emissions technology. It involves the production of biochar through pyrolysis of residual biomass and the subsequent application of the biochar in soils or durable materials (e.g. cement, tar). Biochar locks carbon from biomass into a stable, charcoal-like form that can persist in soils for centuries to millennia, instead of returning to the atmosphere as CO2.
Multi-pool modelling of biochar soil amendments indicates a centennial – millennial turnover rate, depending on factors like feedstocks used, production conditions, application rates and the characteristics of depositional sites. Additionally, biochar and related residues (i.e. pyrogenic carbon) have been demonstrated to have the potential for wider carbon cycling effects such as suppressing greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes from amended soils and benefitting vegetation growth.
In some cases amendment studies and meta-analyses have pointed to undesired effects of biochar soil amendments, such as sub-centennial biochar turnover, increased GHG fluxes and degradation of non-biochar soil carbon stocks. Biochar carbon removal can thus be deployed as a targeted strategy, for example with appropriate application rates, feedstocks and production conditions for the intended application site.
The term refers to the practice of producing biochar from sustainably sourced biomass and ensuring that it is stored for a long period of time. The concept makes use of the photosynthesis process, through which plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere during their growth. This carbon dioxide is stabilised within the biochar during the production process and can subsequently be stored potentially for several hundreds or thousands of years.
Biochar Carbon Removal falls into the category of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. It is considered to be a rapidly implemented and, relatively speaking, capital-efficient negative emissions technology ideal for smaller scale installations such as farmers, and also to help rural diversification in developing countries. This is, amongst others, reflected in the guidance documents of the Science Based Targets initiative.
Scientifically, this process is often referred to as Pyrogenic Carbon Capture and Storage (PyCCS). The term biochar carbon removal was introduced by the European Biochar Industry Consortium in 2023 and has since been adopted by various institutions and experts.
Biochar Carbon Removal can also be categorised as a form of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS).
Beyond carbon sequestration, biochar application has various other potential benefits, such as increased yield and root biomass, water use efficiency and microbial activity.
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Biochar carbon removal AI simulator
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Biochar carbon removal
Biochar carbon removal (also called pyrogenic carbon capture and storage) is a negative emissions technology. It involves the production of biochar through pyrolysis of residual biomass and the subsequent application of the biochar in soils or durable materials (e.g. cement, tar). Biochar locks carbon from biomass into a stable, charcoal-like form that can persist in soils for centuries to millennia, instead of returning to the atmosphere as CO2.
Multi-pool modelling of biochar soil amendments indicates a centennial – millennial turnover rate, depending on factors like feedstocks used, production conditions, application rates and the characteristics of depositional sites. Additionally, biochar and related residues (i.e. pyrogenic carbon) have been demonstrated to have the potential for wider carbon cycling effects such as suppressing greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes from amended soils and benefitting vegetation growth.
In some cases amendment studies and meta-analyses have pointed to undesired effects of biochar soil amendments, such as sub-centennial biochar turnover, increased GHG fluxes and degradation of non-biochar soil carbon stocks. Biochar carbon removal can thus be deployed as a targeted strategy, for example with appropriate application rates, feedstocks and production conditions for the intended application site.
The term refers to the practice of producing biochar from sustainably sourced biomass and ensuring that it is stored for a long period of time. The concept makes use of the photosynthesis process, through which plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere during their growth. This carbon dioxide is stabilised within the biochar during the production process and can subsequently be stored potentially for several hundreds or thousands of years.
Biochar Carbon Removal falls into the category of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. It is considered to be a rapidly implemented and, relatively speaking, capital-efficient negative emissions technology ideal for smaller scale installations such as farmers, and also to help rural diversification in developing countries. This is, amongst others, reflected in the guidance documents of the Science Based Targets initiative.
Scientifically, this process is often referred to as Pyrogenic Carbon Capture and Storage (PyCCS). The term biochar carbon removal was introduced by the European Biochar Industry Consortium in 2023 and has since been adopted by various institutions and experts.
Biochar Carbon Removal can also be categorised as a form of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS).
Beyond carbon sequestration, biochar application has various other potential benefits, such as increased yield and root biomass, water use efficiency and microbial activity.