Biochar is a carbon-rich soil amendment created by heating organic matter under limited oxygen conditions, resulting in a resistant TO microorganisms charcoal-like material. It helps improve soil water and nutrient retention, crop yields, and microbial activity and can reduce fertilizer inputs. Biochar production varies depending on feedstock and method and is currently limited due to shipping costs, but there is hope for increased availability over time. Biochar is not a pesticide or fertilizer, and its application depends on soil type, crop, and purpose. Various sizes and forms are available, and biochar is being used in agriculture, reforestation, bioswales and rain gardens, green infrastructure, and structured soils. However, its demand still lacks and more widespread promotion and approval for use by landscape architects, engineers, and public agencies is necessary.
00:00:00 In this section, Deborah Aller introduces viewers to the basics of biochar as a soil amendment. Biochar is a co-product of biomass pyrolysis, created by heating organic matter under limited oxygen conditions. It is made up of solid material and can be used as a soil amendment. Biochar is created in a process that involves three co-products: gas phase, syngas, liquid product, and biochar. The production of biochar involves the use of carbon-based materials such as hemicellulose, cellulose, and ligament materials. Biochar’s aromatic structure makes it resistant to degradation by microorganisms, leading to numerous potential benefits when applied to the soil.
00:05:00 In this section, the speaker explains the basics of biochar, a charcoal-like material used as a soil amendment for environmental and agronomic benefits. Biochar is extremely carbon-rich, typically containing 50-80% carbon and is very porous, with a sponge-like structure that helps improve water and nutrient retention in the soil. Unlike other char-based materials, biochar is meant specifically for environmental applications and is resistant to degradation once applied to the soil. The use of biochar is not a new idea, as it has been used for thousands of years by indigenous Amazonian people to make infertile soils more fertile. With more research and information available on biochar and its various applications, it is becoming more popular and mainstream.
00:10:00 In this section, the speaker differentiates between char, charcoal, and biochar. Char is any carbonaceous material, while charcoal is used for cooking or heating and is intended as a fuel. Biochar is differentiated by its application to the soil environment. The speaker discusses the benefits of biochar, including improvements in crop yields, water quality, and microbial activity in soils, as well as its climate mitigation properties. Biochar also has a longer lifespan and can remain in the soil for thousands of years. The versatility of biochar makes it scalable in many different systems, particularly in bioenergy production.
00:15:00 In this section, the speaker discusses biochar production and companies that produce and sell biochar. Biochar can be produced using different methods, which affect the resulting product. The feedstock used also impacts the properties of the biochar produced. Biochar is available at a larger scale, but it is still limited and can be expensive due to shipping costs. Local suppliers can be considered to reduce these costs. Lastly, the diversity of biochar makes its properties varied, leading to different applications.
00:20:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the sustainability perspective of producing biochar and how it can help reduce carbon impact. The speaker mentions that biochar is made from organic waste products and not living trees, making it a valuable product for soil application. The hope is that as the availability of biochar increases, the cost will go down over time. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose of applying biochar and the variability of application rates based on soil, crop, and purpose. Additionally, the speaker discusses the benefits of applying biochar and how it can be inoculated with compost teas or co-composted with other organic materials to maximize its effectiveness.
00:25:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the application of biochar. When purchasing biochar, it is important to consider whether it has been inoculated or charged with nutrients. Basic PPE is recommended when applying biochar due to its light and easily blown away nature. The speaker also provides different methods of incorporating biochar into soil, such as through broadcasting and light tillage or spreading and raking it into a perennial system. Biochar is most effective on degraded soils, such as sandier soils with low organic matter and nutrient retention. The speaker presents a modeling study on the potential yield benefits of biochar applications across the United States, showing that the most significant impact is in areas with low fertility soil.
00:30:00 In this section, the speaker discusses a figure that shows the likelihood of a positive yield response to biochar application based on three soil properties: pH, soil organic matter, and cation exchange capacity. Eastern areas of the Central Valley tend to have lower pH, lower soil organic matter, and lower cation exchange capacity, making them more likely to benefit from biochar application. Biochar has the potential to improve crop yields, plant health, water and nutrient retention, and plant defenses. It’s not a fertilizer but a soil amendment that can reduce fertilizer inputs by improving soil resiliency and adding organic matter. It can also be used as a tool in management for producers and growers and has no significant risks to the environment or crop safety.
00:35:00 In this section, the speaker clarifies that biochar is not a pesticide or fertilizer, but rather a soil amendment for improving soil properties. The speaker responds to questions from viewers, including one about sustainable biochar and the need for a life cycle analysis to ensure biomass is harvested sustainably, and another about the difference between biochar produced through pyrolysis versus combustion. The speaker also discusses biochar’s potential to mitigate soil acidification due to its high pH levels.
00:40:00 In this section, the speaker responds to various technical questions about biochar, including its impact on soil pH and testing for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins. They mention that labs do test for it but it can be expensive. The speaker also admits that they may not have all the answers and that there are upcoming presentations that will delve deeper into some of these topics. They advise purchasers of biochar soil amendment materials to make sure they know the pH of the biochar or soil amendment material being applied and that there is no known risk of biochar hosting and increasing harmful pathogens.
00:45:00 In this section, Tom Miles, the Executive Director of the U.S. Biochar Initiative, gives an overview of biochar products, uses, technologies, and the biochar community. Biochars can be delivered as carbon and combinations of carbon and minerals, which eventually reside in soil solutions. They can be supplied in many forms and qualities, such as large and small chips, densified granulated or in liquid suspensions. The properties of biochars improve water infiltration and water retention in soil, which makes more water available to plants and extends the growing season, especially in sandy and clay soils. Additionally, scientists are discovering the value of the electrochemical properties of biochars, which can increase soil redox potential and result in greater plant nutrient content.
00:50:00 In this section, it is explained that biochar can be produced at scale in existing bioenergy and wood products facilities, and delivered to farms and compost facilities in bulk or bags. Different sizes of biochar are available, such as chip size chart, medium sizes, smaller mesh sizes, and powders, which can be used as natural substitutes for processed minerals like vermiculite. Biochar markets continue to grow in North America, creating new opportunities to convert wood and agricultural residues into sustainable carbon while restoring soil health and improving water quality. Biochar is used in agriculture, urban landscaping, and environmental markets, including forest management, growing media for reforestation, range management, and revegetation. Additionally, biochar-based products are useful for landscape, trees, turf, and gardens, and help kick-start growth for turf applications like the Lesco carbon pro product, which is supplied in liquid or granulated form. Smallholders in Kenya also use biochar combined with manure to improve soil health and productivity, while vineyards have reported improvements in vine vigor and increased bricks when using biochar amended compost.
00:55:00 In this section, we see how biochar is being used in various agricultural and environmental applications. Farmers who practice conservation and regeneration techniques have been the most receptive to using biochar, as it is shown to increase soil carbon, improve crop yield and quality, and also used in no-till drill applications. Besides this, biochar is also being used in reforestation efforts across the globe, added to fiber seed and fertilizer to improve plant establishment, in bioswales and rain gardens to prevent metal toxicity, in green infrastructure to reduce heat islands, and in structured soils to reduce soil compaction and improve tree survival. However, the demand for biochar-based products still lacks, and it’s necessary for landscape architects, engineers, and public agencies to promote and approve biochar for more widespread use.
01:00:00 – 02:00:00
The “Biochar Basics Overview” video covers a range of topics related to biochar, including its potential applications beyond agriculture and gardening, various methods of producing biochar on a larger scale, and the global biochar community. The discussion emphasizes the need for sustainable and safe biochars, and the importance of considering both carbon dioxide removal and soil health in evaluating its impact on climate change. The speaker also explores the concept of thermochemical conversion and its effects on soil ecosystems, as well as the trade-offs between energy and carbon sequestration. The video concludes with a review of the various benefits of biochar, including its persistence, nutrient richness, and ability to improve soil health and crop yields.
01:00:00 In this section, the video discusses the various applications of biochar beyond agriculture and gardening. Biochar has been used to improve the resilience of asphalt, stabilize road beds, and reduce weight in masonry building materials. It has also been used as a component in the development of new building materials, such as wallboard and cement, which can sequester carbon and provide cooling and reduced electromagnetic transmission. Additionally, biochar has been used to improve the properties of plastic composites for building and decorative uses, and as a co-product in biofuel production. The video highlights the need to optimize pyrolysis for carbon recovery and the potential for functionalized biocarbons for use as catalysts, fuel cells, batteries, and electrodes. The various methods of making biochar, such as pyrolysis, are also discussed.
01:05:00 In this section, the video explores various methods of producing biochar on a larger scale, including mobile carbonizers such as the Char Boss that was field-tested by the US Biochar Initiative, and biomass boilers that are used to produce heat and biochar. A 30-megawatt plant can consume 240,000 tons of wood waste per year and produce about 72,000 cubic yards of biochar per year, and small centralized systems such as batch kilns and modular pyrolysis systems can produce up to about 3,000 tons of biochar per year. Furthermore, gasifiers such as the Austria-Australian gasifier use wet fuel that goes through stages of drying, pyrolysis, gaseous combustion, and cooling to generate heat, biochar, and power.
01:10:00 In this section, the video discusses stationary pyrolysis, which provides additional process control for value-added products. Biochars and activated carbons are often produced in centralized facilities that use rotary kilns. Minerals like magnetite or expanding clays like bentonite are added to wood during carbonization to create mineral-modified biochars that improve soil properties, resulting in greater plant nutrient content. The video also talks about the biochar community, which is made up of farmers, research laboratories, and various other sectors that add value to biochars. The US Biochar Initiative (USBI) collaborates with commercial laboratories to ensure safe, stable, and sustainable biochars for soil health and carbon sequestration. Biochar incentive programs for using biochar are also under development by the natural resource conservation service and state soil health programs.
01:15:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the various international biochar initiatives and collaborations, including the IBI board of directors and science committee, the European Biochar Industry Consortium, and the Australian New Zealand Biochar Industry Group. They emphasize the active global biochar community and their collaborative efforts. The speaker also addresses several questions from the audience, including the sustainable supply of biochar feedstock and a comparison of biochar and agricultural lime for increasing soil pH. They highlight the need for third-party verified sustainability standards for biochar and explain China’s interest in biochar due to issues such as degraded soils, climate concerns, and pollution from open field burning.
01:20:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the production of biochar and its potential benefits for farmers. Corn byproducts are being used in the production of biochar, which may eliminate GMO components and chemical residues. The speaker notes the importance of being aware of all aspects of applying biochar, including the plants being used and their growing conditions. The speaker also mentions the potential for using the byproducts of lump charcoal production as biochar and gives examples of this being done successfully. The speaker briefly discusses the potential use of biochar as feed for livestock and the current testing and development going on in the US.
01:25:00 In this section, the speaker touches on various topics related to biochar, including its potential effects on milk production in Australian dairy cows and the sustainability of using eucalyptus as a feedstock. They also discuss the barriers to implementing pyrolysis at wastewater treatment plants in the US and the possibility of using cook stoves to make biochar. Additionally, there is a mention of how biochar can be used for filtration for dyes and wastewater, and the importance of considering both carbon dioxide removal and soil health when evaluating the impact of biochar on climate change. Overall, the section provides useful insights into various aspects of biochar and its practical applications.
01:30:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the initial motivation for biochar, which is its beneficial effects on soil health and crop yield increases. Biochar is made from heating biomass and condensing the material, resulting in carbon-carbon bonds and the loss of hydrogen and oxygen. Though biochar has been around for centuries, it should be perceived not only as a material, but also as a system with various moving parts. The use of different types of biomass for pyrolysis will generate different upstream opportunities, constraints, and trade-offs, and the product ranges can vary depending on the pyrolysis method. Overall, biochar can be seen as a tool for mitigating climate change and withdrawing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
01:35:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of thermochemical conversion and its various energy-generating products such as bio oils, methane, hydrogen, ethanol, butanol, etc. The focus of the discussion is on the solid product generated from thermochemical conversion, known as biochar, and its effects on soil ecosystems and environmental management systems. The lecture also delves into emissions generated during the biochar system and reduced emission through natural carbon cycles. The discussion also highlights the offsetting of fossil fuels, trade-offs between energy and carbon sequestration, and various moving parts that one needs to consider in a biochar system.
01:40:00 In this section, the speaker explains how higher temperature during the production of biochar results in the creation of larger clusters of carbon-carbon structures, which bacteria in a soil environment are less able to mineralize. Additionally, the speaker notes that the hydrogen to organic carbon ratio directly relates to molecular condensation during biochar production, resulting in decreased mineralization and longer mean residence time in the soil. The speaker also describes a new method approved by the FCCC to monitor the fraction of carbon remaining in biochar after 100 years by using pyrolysis temperature as a diagnostic criterion, which allows for monitoring of the conversion of biomass to biochar and its persistence. However, the speaker cautions that life cycle emissions and reductions of a biochar system should be evaluated as a system rather than just a material.
01:45:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the various effects that need to be considered when analyzing the impact of biochar, including transportation, land use change, and crop yields. The current methodology only considers carbon changes and uses conservative assumptions on emission reductions, but newer methods are being developed to consider additional factors. The speaker also presents examples of various conversion methods and shows that they all contribute to climate change mitigation and ecosystem quality improvement. Additionally, the speaker discusses the optimization of conversion hubs for poultry litter, which can reduce environmental and economic costs.
01:50:00 In this section, the speaker discusses scenarios that involve a trade-off between profit and carbon dioxide sequestration. They argue that the optimal scenario falls in the middle of this trade-off and would involve maximizing greenhouse gas emissions while also prioritizing carbon sequestration. The speaker goes on to explain how the distribution of waste material and the need for phosphorus in soil impact the distribution of conversion hubs. They also discuss the differences in emission reduction between waste conversion and dedicated biomass production, highlighting the importance of modeling biochar appropriately. Finally, the speaker notes the societal discussion around generating meaningful energy carriers and offsetting fossil fuels in scenarios like the pine bark beetle kill or fire prevention measures in California.
01:55:00 In this section, the speaker explains how biochar can be used as a carbon product for soil amendment. Biochar’s persistence, surface area, growth groups, and electron shuttling properties make it a valuable tool for greenhouse gas reduction and improving soil health. Additionally, biochar is nutrient-rich with highly favorable nutrient availability and can also sterilize soil and denature pollutants. Crop yield increases vary depending on the type of biochar and what it’s added to, but recent meta-analyses show a global increase in crop yields when biochar is combined with inorganic fertilizer. The addition of biochar to fertilizer is as effective as the original fertilizer addition, making it a valuable tool for soil remediation.
02:00:00 – 02:25:00
The speaker discusses the effects of biochar with specific pH levels on crop productivity and the mineralization of carbon in soil and its impact on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. The video also talks about the trade-off between energy and biochar generation, and the importance of considering what kind of fossil fuel it is replacing in a life cycle assessment. The societal prioritization needed to balance the trade-off between energy and biochar carbon dioxide removal is emphasized. Additionally, there is a discussion of the preparations required for different biochar applications and the need to choose the appropriate biochar for the soil and plant type. The video also highlights the issue of indirect land use change and its potential offsetting effects and acknowledges the gap in understanding the effects of biochar on vermicompost.
02:00:00 In this section, the speaker explains the effects of using biochar with specific pH levels on crop productivity. If the biochar has a higher pH level than the soil pH level, there may not be a crop yield increase. However, if the soil pH is above 6.5 and the biochar pH is less than nine, there will be a crop yield increase that is similar to what is seen in lower pH soils. The speaker also discusses the mineralization of carbon in soil and its effects on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. On average, mineralization decreases with the use of biochar, but there are some scenarios where it increases, and it is important to pay attention to nitrous oxide emissions, which can be reduced with biochar. Lastly, the use of pyrolysis and thermochemical conversion can generate a variety of energy carriers.
02:05:00 In this section, the video discusses the trade-off between energy and biochar generation, highlighting the importance of considering what kind of energy is being generated and what kind of fossil fuel it is replacing in a life cycle assessment. The video explains that there is a trade-off between energy and biochar, where producing more biochar reduces fuel yield and vice versa. The graphic representation of the amount of biochar produced and fuel yield shows the different drivers and relationships between different land-based natural climate solutions, including compost, biochar, and wetland restoration. The video concludes that a biochar system delivers more greenhouse gas emission reductions than soil carbon accrual alone and highlights that food production is a major incentive for farmers interested in biochar.
02:10:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the tradeoffs between carbon dioxide removal and food production which pose a challenge for farmers who focus on their main business rather than climate mitigation. The more carbon storage, the more likely food production will decline, meaning that it becomes imperative to maximize soil carbon accrual but from endogenous internal carbon sources. Adding more biochar will increase carbon sequestered and food production as there is no internal competition. Bioenergy systems produce more energy while specs thrive to sequester all CO2 emissions generated during the carbon conversion, and eventually wins over biochar systems in terms of carbon storage. However, there is a limited opportunity to foster and do photosynthesis on the world, meaning it’s imperative to generate societal benefits mentioned-above as long as possible rather than maximizing energy generation and storing it somewhere else, thereby preserving organic carbon as much as possible in our terrestrial environments.
02:15:00 In this section, Johannes Lehmann discusses the societal prioritization needed to balance the trade-off between energy and biochar carbon dioxide removal. He emphasizes the need to think beyond soil and consider a broader lens to address climate mitigation. Additionally, he addresses the question of whether biochar makes the soil darker and the potential impact on carbon removal benefits, indicating that the albedo effect has not been researched on a meaningful scale yet. Moreover, he reconciles the fact that biochar is alkaline, while most trees planted in the urban environment prefer an acid to neutral pH by explaining that a farmer would never apply lime on a calcareous soil for a plant that doesn’t like high pH.
02:20:00 In this section of the video, the speaker discusses how the pH level of biochar can affect crop productivity and explains that farmers must choose the appropriate biochar for the soil and plant they are working with. The speaker also acknowledges the issue of indirect land use change and how it can offset emission reductions and carbon dioxide removal. They explain that converting primary forest or peatlands in other countries for agricultural use to compensate for land used for biochar production in the US could have long-lasting and massive effects. Finally, the speaker responds to a question about potential nutrient competition from weeds when using swine manure biochar and admits they do not have an explanation for this issue.
02:25:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the different preparations required for different biochar applications. Different products will require different feedstocks and conversion technologies, depending on the application and the agronomic constraint one might want to address. For example, plastic generation will require prioritizing liquid and gas streams over solids, while inks and other products require different conversion prioritizations. Additionally, Professor Goldberg will discuss capacitors and energy storage, which have very different biochar requirements than soil amendments. The speaker also mentions that composting is known to speed up in the presence of biochar, but there is no specific research on vermicompost with biochar. The audience is encouraged to attend future webinars that will dive deeper into the science and analysis of biochar production and characterization.
