Biochar

Biochar is a stable form of carbon with significant potential for use in carbon sequestration and in improving soil condition. CSIRO is leading national research to answer many of the outstanding questions about various types of biochars, their properties and benefits in soils, agricultural production and in carbon sequestration.

What is biochar?
Biochar is a stable form of charcoal produced from heating natural organic materials (crop and other waste, woodchips, manure) in a high temperature, low oxygen process known as pyrolysis. Due to its molecular structure, biochar is chemically and biologically in a more stable form than the original carbon form it comes from, making it more difficult to break down. This means that in some cases it can remain stable in soil for hundreds to thousands of years.1,2,3 The production of biochar via pyrolysis also yields bioenergy in the form of synthesis gas (or syngas). Syngas consists of a variety of gases which in turn can be captured and Bio-char used to produce heat and power.

Not all biochars are created equal

It is important to note that there are many different types and qualities of biochar. The key chemical and physical properties of a biochar are greatly affected by the type of material being used and the conditions of the pyrolysis process (i.e. temperature and time).4,5 For example, biochar made from manure will have a higher nutrient content than biochar made from wood cuttings.6 However, the biochar from the wood cuttings will be more stable over a longer period of time7. The two different chars will look the same but will behave quite differently. Similarly, biochars produced at higher temperatures (700C compared to Bio-energy Lifecycle 400C)8 are more porous and more

> Biochars can be produced from a variety of organic sources or feedstocks. BEST Energies

adsorptive. These biochars have greater potential to adsorb toxic substances and could be used to help rehabilitate contaminated environments. Understanding the characteristics of a particular biochar is important to match it to the requirements of its end use.

Biochar Bioenergy Lifecycle

Transport Biomass (C) 100% - manure - organic wastes - bioenergy crops (grasses,willows) - crop residues Pyrolysis Residual heat Bio-fuel - bio-oil - hydrogen

(C) 50%

Energy Coproducts (oil, cosmetics) Industry

(C) 50%
Returned to soil as Bio-char

Optionally, N2, NO x, SO x, CO 2 can be added to increase C sink and nutrient contents

> 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 that biochar can aid in: retaining nutrients and cation exchange capacity decreasing soil acidity decreased uptake of soil toxins improving soil structure nutrient use efficiency water-holding capacity decreasing releases of non-CO2 greenhouse gases (CH4, N2O). However, even though some of these functions 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. Studies that have reported positive 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 yield a positive change. > Electron microscope images of biochar showing its porous nature. Dr Saran Sohi, Edinburgh University, UK

Biochar and greenhouse gas emissions

Producing biochar and bioenergy via pyrolysis can result in capturing carbon emissions, also known as sequestration.9,10 The organic materials being burnt are naturally part of the photosynthesis cycle, so taking the carbon out of the cycle and locking it in biochar and bio-gases means that there is a net decrease of carbon in the atmosphere (see diagram on page 3). Due to its high chemical stability, high carbon content and its potential to reside in soil over decades, centuries, and even up to millennia, biochar applications have the potential to become a long-term carbon sink. Thus, biochar could play an important role in helping to sequester carbon from the atmosphere and partially offsetting greenhouse gas emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels. Assessing the full carbon sequestration benefit will require analysis of all the carbon storage gains and losses throughout the biochar lifecycle from production, transport and application to physical and chemical changes over time within the soil.

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> When organic materials undergo pyrolysis, biochar and biofuels are produced, both of which have a number of applications. Evelyn Krull, CSIRO

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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. Current projects funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry address some of the key questions raised in earlier research.11,12 These projects are studying the agronomic issues for biochar applied to soil to increase nutrient use efficiency and also the carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation potential of various biochars. Some of the questions to be addressed by the projects include: Is all biochar the same? Analyses of more than 80 different biochars (different source materials and production variables) shows a large range in chemical, physical and biological properties, which in turn effect the agronomic characteristics of biochars. How stable is biochar? In the absence of long-term studies, incubation experiments in conjunction with modelling have been used to determine the mean residence time of some biochars. These studies, while limited in their approach, suggest that most biochars remain stable in soil for centuries and millennia. Is biochar safe to use? Biochar production and handling by a licensed producer and from clean (uncontaminated) feedstock is safe to use within the agreed standards of application. The safety of biochar can be compromised if contaminated feedstocks and unreliable or non-standard production methods are used. What are the agronomic benefits? Biochar application to soil may have beneficial effects on crop productivity through increased nutrient use efficiency, increased waterholding capacity and decreased bulk density. > A crop trial, showing comparative productivity results with (left) and without (right) biochar application. Johannes Lehmann > Biochar produced and added to the soil, in conjunction with bioenergy generation, can result in carbon sequestration.9 Johannes Lehman

Australia-New Zealand biochar network

In 2008, biochar researchers from Australian and New Zealand recognised the need for a consolidated biochar network. As a result the Australian and New Zealand Biochar Researchers Network (ANZBRN) was formed: http://www.anzbiochar.org/index.html. The ANZBRN is a collaborative group of scientists interested in advancing the understanding and application of biochar and to collaborate on research programs and projects.

CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture Flagship

CSIROs biochar research is conducted under the auspices of CSIROs Sustainable Agriculture Flagship and is part of a research theme, targeting greenhouse gas abatement and carbon storage in land use systems. The Sustainable Agriculture Flagship aims to reduce the carbon footprint of Australias land use while achieving the productivity gains needed for prosperous agricultural and forest industries and global food security. The Sustainable Agriculture Flagship draws on the skills of researchers from many different disciplines and collaborates with a range of national and international organisations including from industry, government and research sectors.

For further information: Dr Evelyn Krull CSIRO Land and Water Phone: +61 8 8303 8516 Email: Evelyn.Krull@csiro.au

References
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.
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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
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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
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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, http://www.biochar-international.org/images/Stephen_Kimber.pdf
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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, http://www.biochar-international.org/images/Adriana_Downie_IBI_2008_poster.pdf
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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, http://www.biochar-international.org/images/Cowie_poster_IBI_Newcastle.pdf
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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
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Lehmann, J., 2007, A handful of carbon, Nature 447: 143-144 doi:10.1038/447143a

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.
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S.P. Sohi, E. Krull, E. Lopez-Capel and R. Bol, 2010, Chapter 2 - A Review of Biochar and Its Use and Function in Soil, Advances in Agronomy Volume 105, 2010, Pages 47-82
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Biochar for Environmental Management Science and Technology, 2009, Edited by Johannes Lehmann and Stephen Joseph, Earthscan, London
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VRU 2010 RN100408_Biochar_Factsheet.indd

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, http://www.biochar-international.org/images/Yin_Chan_poster.pdf
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