Biochar is a charred carbon-enriched material intended to be used as a soil amendment to
sequester carbon and enhance soil quality. Sustainable biochar is produced from waste
biomass using modern thermochemcial technologies. Addition of sustainable biochar to
soil has many environmental and agricultural benefits, including waste reduction, energy
production, carbon sequestration, water resource protection, and soil improvement.
Therefore, the use of sustainable biochar as a soil amendment is an innovative and highly
promising practice for sustainable agriculture. In this project, three proposed tasks have
been completed.
First, we developed a lab-scale pyrolyzer to convert a variety of waste biomass to three
valuable bio-products. The effects of pyrolysis temperature and the type of feedstock
on the yields of three bio-products were performed. The properties of various biochars
were characterized.
Second, a series of batch experiments was conducted to determine the sorption
capacities of biochar for ammonium and phosphate ions (NH4
+ and PO4
3-
). The
sorption kinetics and removal mechanisms of the above two nutrients by biochar were
comprehensively investigated. This study showed that two biochars produced from
wood wastes could simultaneously sorb NH4
+ and PO4
3-
, suggesting that the addition of
biochar into soil can retain nutrients in soil, prevent their runoff or leaching, and
thereby retain them so they are available to plants.
Third, a field trial was conducted in an Illinois agricultural field to demonstrate that
using biochar as a soil amendment can improve soil quality and increase crop yields. A
synergetic effect was observed when the use of biochar was combined with fertilizer. It
indicates that using biochar as a soil amendment can reduce chemical fertilizer use
while at the same time keeping high crop yields.
This project, to the best of our knowledge, represents the first field demonstration on the
use of biochar as a soil amendment in fertile soils typical of Illinois. The project also
catalyzed the hosting of the first biochar research conference in the state and the formation
of a network of researchers committed to further exploration of the potential benefits and
pitfalls related to biochar. One peer-reviewed publication and two additional manuscripts
under preparation represent our outreach efforts and disseminate the information to a
broader audience as well.