People have been using biochar in the soil for thousands of years to increase soil fertility and crop yields. We are just now realizing the positive impact it may have on our environment, both underground and in the atmosphere.

During the process of pyrolysis, biomass is burned in a controlled environment with little to no oxygen. The smoke is not able to escape and is redirected back into the heat source, adding energy back into the biochar and restricting the number of air emissions. Instead of being released back into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming, the carbon can be stored away underground in the form of biochar. Biochar is made up of at least 50% of the carbon that was found in the original biomass. This beneficial form of carbon is highly stable and can be sequestered in the ground for thousands of years.

Biochar may play a huge role in fighting climate change. When compared to the different ways biomass is disposed of, pyrolysis releases the least amount of CO2 emissions. For example, transporting, handling, and decomposing a composting facility would put off a total of 2,285 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2e). Remote site grinding that we see in landfills releases 2,478 CO2e, and an open burning pile puts off 740 CO2e. The 6050 Carbonator, a machine that can achieve pyrolysis to process biomass, only emits 10 CO2e. When looking at particulate matter emissions we find a similarity. The 6050 Carbonator releases .11 PM emissions, while remote grinding from landfills puts off 18.97 PM emissions, and open pile burning puts off 23.60 PM emissions.

Looking at the other ways biochar benefits the environment, we see that biochar also reduces contaminants running into the water. When biochar is used as a soil amendment, it decreases and ultimately ends the need for synthetic and organic fertilizers. Biochar can hold on to fertilizer to keep it from washing away and polluting our water systems. Economically, it saves farmers and gardeners money since it lessens the need to fertilize the soil. Reducing the need for fertilizer also reduces the amount of CO2 emitted into the air during the production process of synthetic fertilizer.

It seems that scientists are just scratching the surface on all the ways biochar can positively affect our environment. With all the different ways biochar can be used, and the environmentally friendly way biochar is produced, biochar just might be part of the solution to solve global warming.

Why is Biochar Good for the Environment?

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