Biochar – Saudi Biochar Research Group

Biochar: a potential soil amendment

Biochar, a carbonaceous material produced through the thermal decomposition of organic matter under controlled conditions, has emerged as a multifaceted tool with diverse applications across agriculture, environmental science, and climate change mitigation. The production of biochar, primarily achieved through the pyrolysis of organic biomass, represents a transformative process. Pyrolysis subjects the biomass to elevated temperatures in a low-oxygen environment, leading to the simultaneous release of volatile compounds, such as methane and hydrogen, and the formation of a porous and stable carbon structure known as biochar. The unique properties of biochar have led to its exploration in various scientific disciplines and practical applications.

In the realm of agriculture, biochar has demonstrated significant promise as a soil amendment (Lehmann et al., 2007). When incorporated into soil, biochar enhances its physical and chemical properties, improving water retention, nutrient availability, and overall soil structure. This, in turn, promotes greater microbial activity and root growth, resulting in increased crop yields and improved soil fertility. The enduring nature of biochar in the soil also makes it a valuable tool for long-term carbon sequestration (Woolf et al., 2010). By locking carbon away for extended periods, biochar can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.

Biochar’s potential is not confined to agriculture alone. In the field of environmental management, biochar has found application in water treatment systems (Mukherjee et al., 2014). Thanks to its highly porous structure and remarkable adsorption capacity, biochar effectively removes contaminants and pollutants from water sources, improving water quality and contributing to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems.

Moreover, biochar can be integrated into livestock management practices, where it has shown promise in reducing methane emissions from ruminant animals when included in their feed (Leng et al., 2019). Additionally, biochar’s use in animal bedding materials not only mitigates odors but also aids in waste management, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly solution.

Beyond its applications in agriculture and environmental management, biochar production itself offers an advantage in the form of renewable energy resources (Bridgwater et al., 1999). The pyrolysis process generates heat and syngas, which can be harnessed for energy production. This dual benefit of waste biomass disposal and renewable energy production adds to the appeal of biochar as a sustainable and environmentally responsible technology.

The growing body of research surrounding biochar underscores its versatility and potential to address contemporary challenges across various sectors. Whether it’s enhancing agricultural productivity, sequestering carbon, improving water quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or contributing to sustainable energy production, biochar represents a powerful tool in the pursuit of more environmentally sustainable practices and a healthier planet.

Biochar Properties and Benefits

Biochar, a remarkable and environmentally friendly substance, possesses a wide range of unique properties that make it an invaluable resource in various industries. Its numerous benefits extend far beyond conventional soil enhancement, offering innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges we face today.
Here are some key biochar properties and benefits:

Properties of Biochar:

Porosity

Biochar has a highly porous structure, characterized by a network of small and large pores. This porosity gives biochar a high surface area, which can be beneficial for various applications.

Stability

Biochar is resistant to decomposition, making it a stable form of carbon. It can persist in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years, depending on the feedstock and production conditions.

Surface Chemistry

The surface of biochar contains functional groups, such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, and phenolic groups, which can influence its chemical reactivity and interactions with soil and water.

pH Modification

Depending on its source material, biochar can have a neutral to alkaline pH, which can help balance soil pH and reduce soil acidity in acidic soils.

Cation Exchange Capacity

Biochar can enhance soil CEC, which means it has the ability to retain and release nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, thereby improving soil fertility.

Adsorption Capacity

Biochar's porous structure and functional groups give it a powerful adsorption capacity, allowing it to trap pollutants like heavy metals and organic chemicals in soil, water, and air.

Benefits of Biochar:

Soil Improvement:

Biochar is widely used to enhance soil quality and fertility. It improves water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity in soils. It can also reduce nutrient leaching, prevent groundwater contamination.

Carbon Sequestration:

Biochar is a stable form of carbon, and when added to soil, it can sequester carbon for long periods, potentially mitigating climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gases Emission:

Biochar can sequester carbon from the atmosphere and reduce nitrous oxide emissions from the soil.

Water Filtration:

Biochar can be used in water treatment systems to remove contaminants and improve water quality. It can adsorb organic pollutants, heavy metals, and some pathogens from water.

Improved Plant Growth:

Biochar, significantly boosts plant growth by improving nutrient availability, enhancing soil structure, and helping plants resist environmental stressors.

Waste Management:

Biochar production can provide a sustainable way to manage organic waste materials, reducing their environmental impact and converting them into a valuable product.

“Biochar is one of the most promising materials of our time.After becoming popular for its exceptional properties as a soil amendment, many more forms of use and application have been developed and studied.”
Helmut Gerber

Biochar Types

Our dedication to Biochar research has yielded a rich and comprehensive collection of Biochar types, meticulously curated from our extensive collection of publications. These Biochar types, thoughtfully selected solely from our published works, showcase the depth of our research and our commitment to advancing sustainable solutions.Here are some key biochar properties and benefits:

1. Jujube waste derived Biochar.
2. Nano Bentonite based organo- minerals composites of Biochar.
3. Date palm-magnetized Biochar.
4. Nutrient-doped olive waste-derived Biochar.
5. Humic acid-modified Conocarpus Biochar.
6. Rock phosphate-modified Conocarpus Biochar.
7. Silica-modified Biochar.
8. Conocarpus waste Biochar.
9. Polymer-modified Biochar.
10. Municipal solid waste-derived Biochar.

See All See Less

Examples of Successful Applications

Agriculture

Crop Yield Enhancement:
Adding biochar to agricultural soils has been shown to improve crop yields and overall plant health. This is often attributed to increased nutrient retention, improved soil structure, and enhanced microbial activity.

Soil Remediation

Biochar can effectively immobilize heavy metals in contaminated soils, reduces their bioavailability and mitigating the environmental impact of metal pollution.
Biochar can adsorb organic pollutants, such as pesticides and herbicides, from soil, helping to detoxify contaminated sites.

Livestock Farming

Manure Management:
Incorporating biochar into livestock manure can reduce odor, capture nutrients, and improve manure handling, making it more environmentally friendly.

Carbon Sequestration

Climate Mitigation:
Biochar is considered a carbon-negative technology because it sequesters carbon in soils for long periods. It has the potential to mitigate climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Desert Agriculture

Drought Mitigation:
In arid regions, biochar can be used to increase water retention in soils, helping to mitigate the impact of drought on crop production.

Environmental and Agricultural Application of biochar

Agricultural Applications of Biochar :

In the realm of agriculture, Biochar emerges as a game-changer, revolutionizing the way we cultivate and nurture our crops. When introduced into the soil, Biochar transforms it into a thriving ecosystem. Its exceptional ability to improve soil structure, enhance water retention, and boost nutrient availability has garnered attention from farmers worldwide.

Plant growth improvement :

Influence of Acidified Biochar on CO2–C Efflux and Micronutrient Availability in an Alkaline Sandy Soil.
Potential short-term negative versus positive effects of olive mill-derived Biochar on nutrient availability in a calcareous loamy sand soil.
In situ immobilization of Cr and its availability to maize plants in tannery waste–contaminated soil: effects of biochar feedstock and pyrolysis temperature.
A short-term effect of date palm biochars on NH3 volatilization and N transformation in calcareous sandy loam soil.
Effects of pyrolysis temperature on nitrate-nitrogen (NO3−-N) and bromate (BrO3−) adsorption onto date palm biochar.

Soil management :

Sorption–Desorption Behavior of Doxycycline in Soil–Manure Systems Amended with Mesquite Wood Waste Biochar .
Carbon potentials of different biochars derived from municipal solid waste in saline soil.
Assessing the prevalence of veterinary antibiotics and associated potential ecological risk in dryland soil, manure, and compost: A case study from Saudi Arabia .
Sulfamethoxazole Leaching from Manure-Amended Sandy Loam Soil as Affected by the Application of Jujube Wood Waste-Derived Biochar .
Immobilization and mitigation of chromium toxicity in aqueous solutions and tannery wastecontaminated soil using Biochar and polymer-modified Biochar.

Water Remediation :

Adsorptive removal of atrazine from contaminated water using low-cost carbonaceous materials: A review.
Designing chitosan-based magnetic beads with Conocarpus waste-derived biochar for efficient sulfathiazole removal from contaminated water .
Immobilization and mitigation of chromium toxicity in aqueous solutions and tannery wastecontaminated soil using Biochar and polymer-modified Biochar .
Fabrication of sand-based novel adsorbents embedded with Biochar or binding agents via calcite precipitation for sulfathiazole scavenging .
Carbon Nanodots-Embedded Pullulan Nanofibers for Sulfathiazole Removal from Wastewater Streams .

Tools & Equipements

The Saudi Biochar Research Group (SBRG) operates on the principle that precision is the key to scientific advancement. Within our well-equipped laboratories and research facilities, we utilize a range of advanced tools and equipment to explore the limitless possibilities of Biochar. These resources empower our team to conduct thorough investigations, analyze data, and apply our findings across various domains. Whether in the laboratory or the field, our commitment to utilizing the latest technologies ensures that we remain at the forefront of Biochar research, pushing boundaries, and driving positive change for our environment and society.