Biochar
Biochar
Biochar (/ˈbaɪoʊˌtʃɑːr/) is a type of charcoal produced from plant matter and stored in the soil as a means of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Etymology
The term "biochar" is a combination of "bio-" meaning life, and "char" short for charcoal. It was coined in 2006 to describe charcoal used for particular purposes, especially as a soil amendment.
Definition
Biochar is a stable, carbon-rich form of charcoal that is applied to soil to improve soil health and sequester carbon. It is produced through a process called pyrolysis, which involves heating organic material in a low oxygen environment.
Related Terms
- Pyrolysis: The thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures in an inert atmosphere. It involves the change of chemical composition and is irreversible.
- Carbon sequestration: The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with the goal of mitigating global climate change.
- Soil amendment: Any material added to soil to improve its physical properties, such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration, and structure.
Uses
Biochar has been used for a variety of purposes, including as a soil amendment, for carbon sequestration, and as a tool to improve soil health. It can increase soil fertility, raise agricultural productivity, and reduce pressure on forests. Biochar is also a valuable tool in fighting climate change, as it has the potential to help mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Production
The production of biochar involves the pyrolysis of biomass. Pyrolysis is a process that decomposes organic material at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The process can be adjusted to produce either energy or biochar.
Environmental Impact
Biochar can help mitigate climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from biomass that would otherwise decompose or be burned. It can also improve water quality by reducing leaching of nutrients into ground and surface waters.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biochar
- Wikipedia's article - Biochar
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