Non Soil Biochar Applications

Biochar is a carbon rich solid material resulting from the pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-free and low temperature conditions. Although most research is directed towards the application of biochar to soils, there are several other biochar properties that render it a suitable candidate for non-soil applications. A growing number of studies have tested biochar as a composite in building materials, as a hazardous substance adsorbent in drinking water and wastewater, and as a component in filters for indoor air quality and storm water management. The potential to utilize biochar for various applications depends on its properties. For example, biochar with high electrical conductivity, porosity and stability at lower temperatures is preferred as electrodes material in microbial fuel cells. Biochar containing relatively high structural bound oxygen groups is preferred in direct carbon fuel cells. On the other hand, biochars with increased particle strength, hydrophobicity and high surface area are suitable candidates for the development of reusable catalysts for chemical reactions. These new high-value applications are still in their infancy, and further research and development is needed to reach commercialization. Optimum reaction conditions for producing biochar are not always the same and reproducibility is often not satisfactory, even when the same biomass is used and the same production conditions are present. This book on non-soil biochar applications aims to highlight the diversity of biochar as a multi-functional material and introduce some new and emerging applications to the wider scientific community. It will act as a reference document to all groups and individuals working or interested in biochar research and will be a valuable contribution to existing published literature.

Biochar is a carbon rich solid material resulting from the pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-free and low temperature conditions. Although most research is directed towards the application of biochar to soils, there are several other biochar properties that render it a suitable candidate for non-soil applications. A growing number of studies have tested biochar as a composite in building materials, as a hazardous substance adsorbent in drinking water and wastewater, and as a component in filters for indoor air quality and storm water management. The potential to utilize biochar for various applications depends on its properties. For example, biochar with high electrical conductivity, porosity and stability at lower temperatures is preferred as electrodes material in microbial fuel cells. Biochar containing relatively high structural bound oxygen groups is preferred in direct carbon fuel cells. On the other hand, biochars with increased particle strength, hydrophobicity and high surface area are suitable candidates for the development of reusable catalysts for chemical reactions. These new high-value applications are still in their infancy, and further research and development is needed to reach commercialization. Optimum reaction conditions for producing biochar are not always the same and reproducibility is often not satisfactory, even when the same biomass is used and the same production conditions are present. This book on non-soil biochar applications aims to highlight the diversity of biochar as a multi-functional material and introduce some new and emerging applications to the wider scientific community. It will act as a reference document to all groups and individuals working or interested in biochar research and will be a valuable contribution to existing published literature.

This book provides up-to-date information on biochar use in management of soil health, agriculture productivity, green-house gases, restoration ecology and environment. Biochar application to nutrient deficient and disturbed soils is a viable option which may promotes advances in food safety and food security to human nutrition and overall fundamental research in the agricultural sciences. The book describes in detail how the recalcitrant biochar is able to persist for long periods of time and work as a shelter for soil microbial colonisation and their biomass/numbers. This book also includes contents related to important role of biochar applications in the restoration of contaminated agricultural soils. The book will be of particular interest to students, teachers and researchers in the disciplines.

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced from the pyrolysis of organic materials from agricultural and forestry biomass at a relatively low temperature in the absence of oxygen. As such, it has potential for solving many agricultural and environmental problems.This book is divided into five sections: “Introduction,” “Production and Legislation of Biochar,” “Applications of Biochar for Soil Fertility Improvement,” “Role of Biochar for Soil Remediation and Ameliorating Salinity Effects” and “Applications of Biochar for Water Treatment.” Chapters address topics such as the pros and cons of biochar, its production, and its role in remediating and treating contaminated soils and water.

The role of biochar in improving soil fertility is increasingly being recognized and is leading to recommendations of biochar amendment of degraded soils. In addition, biochars offer a sustainable tool for managing organic wastes and to produce added-value products. The benefits of biochar use in agriculture and forestry can span enhanced plant productivity, an increase in soil C stocks, and a reduction of nutrient losses from soil and non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, biochar composition and properties and, therefore, its performance as a soil amendment are highly dependent on the feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. In addition, due to its characteristics, such as high porosity, water retention, and adsorption capacity, there are other applications for biochar that still need to be properly tested. Thus, the 16 original articles contained in this book, which were selected and evaluated for this Special Issue, provide a comprehensive overview of the biological, chemicophysical, biochemical, and environmental aspects of the application of biochar as soil amendment. Specifically, they address the applicability of biochar for nursery growth, its effects on the productivity of various food crops under contrasting conditions, biochar capacity for pesticide retention, assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, and soil carbon dynamics. I would like to thank the contributors, reviewers, and the support of the Agronomy editorial staff, whose professionalism and dedication have made this issue possible.

This state-of-the-art compendium, combining theory with practical examples, looks at the entire biochar supply chain.

This book explores the production and applications of biochar. This material is used to remove contaminants from industrial effluent and to reutilize waste sludge in the production of biofuel/bioenergy. The treatment of wastewater and reuse of waste sludge in value added products manufacturing and environmental clean-up is explored. This book provides a roadmap for future strategies for pollution abatement and sustainable development.

Biochar, a biomass that is burned at very high temperature in the absence of oxygen, has recently become an interesting subject of study. Biochar is highly stable and does not degrade; it possesses physical properties that assist in retention of nutrients in the soil. The use of biochar will undoubtedly have a significant impact not only on soil nutrients but also on soil organism communities and their functions. This book focuses on how the ecology and biology of soil organisms is affected by the addition of biochar to soils. It takes into account direct and indirect effects of biochar addition to soils, on the soil carbon cycle, impact on plant resistance to foliar and soilborne disease, interactions with pathogenic, mycorhizal and saprophytic fungi. The stability of biochar in soil environment is also discussed. Special focus has been put on application of biochar to remediate polluted soils, taking into account possible toxic effects of biochar on soil fauna. This book will be useful to students and researchers in agronomy, biology, ecology, and environmental managers from both academic as well as industrial organizations.