Climate change is a global issue that affects the entire world community, and its effects are becoming increasingly severe with time. The intensive rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration accelerated by human activities such as burning of fossil fuel, deforestation, industries, transportation and land use change, has caused severe global issues such as global warming, climate change, and other environmental problems.
This change in the global atmosphere has triggered the melting of glaciers, sea level to rise, acidification of sea, floods, desertification, and many other issues. The CO2 alone is responsible for almost 75% of the total greenhouse effect caused by man-made activities.
The high concentration of CO2 in the environment has prompted researchers and scientists to create long-term reduction or sequestration methods for its mitigation from atmosphere. Several technologies have been used to sequester CO2; however, these technologies showed several limitations. In light of these limitations, porous sorbents are found the most promising for CO2 due to their remarkable properties.
One of the approaches to reducing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is using carbon materials such as biochar. The usage of biochar, a carbon-rich material made from biomass, has shown substantial promise in the sequestration of CO2 from the atmosphere, and is a promising area of research. Therefore, production and deposition of biochar into the soil are rapidly gaining recognition as a viable option in permanent carbon storage, while its benefits to soil fertility continue to emerge.
This article examines the method and advantages of using biochar to sequester carbon, emphasizing its contribution to reducing climate change and supporting sustainable land management techniques.
Biochar is a renewable and sustainable carbonaceous material derived from biomass waste by a process called pyrolysis, which involves heating biomass in a low-oxygen environment.
The biomass waste used for making biochar can be agricultural waste, forestry byproducts, or crops grown specifically for energy. During the pyrolysis process, the biomass is heated to high temperatures, typically between 400 and 700oC, in a controlled setting. The thermal breakdown of the biomass during pyrolysis converts it into a stable, carbon-rich substance, which is biochar. Biochar is considered a sustainable solution for managing organic waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The use of biochar in agriculture has been shown to increase crop yields, improve soil health, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Because it can both store carbon and improve soil fertility, biochar is effective at sequestering carbon. Several mechanisms are at work when biochar is added to soil:
Carbon Storage: Stable carbon molecules found in biochar are resistant to degradation. By incorporating biochar into soil, carbon is efficiently sequestered for a long time, reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere.
Microbial Activity: Biochar gives soil-dwelling bacteria a permeable and stable home. This increases microbial activity, encouraging the transformation of organic matter into stable forms and slowing the pace at which organic carbon decomposes.
Retention of Nutrients: Because biochar has a high cation exchange capacity, it may hold onto and gradually release nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. By doing this, soil fertility is increased and the need for synthetic fertilizers, which can increase greenhouse gas emissions, is diminished.
Climate Change Mitigation: Biochar is a substance that helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by sequestering carbon. This means that it captures carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil, which aids in the fight against global warming. The long-term sequestration of carbon in biochar results in a net decrease in atmospheric CO2 levels, which is beneficial for the environment.
Soil Improvement: Biochar has several benefits for soil health. When added to soil, it boosts the soil’s capacity to hold onto moisture, which lowers the requirement for irrigation. This, in turn, enhances crop resistance to drought. Biochar produced from biomass, it locks carbon away in the soil for centuries, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, biochar improves soil health by enhancing water retention, nutrient availability, and structure, creating a thriving environment for carbon-storing microorganisms.
Reduced Erosion: Adding biochar to soil makes it more stable and less prone to wind and water erosion. This is because biochar has a porous structure that helps in retaining water and preventing soil particles from being washed away. By reducing erosion, biochar supports sustainable land management techniques and stops priceless and preventing the loss of valuable topsoil. Moreover, biochar plays a significant role in carbon sequestration by capturing and storing carbon dioxide in a stable form. This process not only helps in mitigating climate change but also enhances soil fertility and structure, which is particularly important in areas prone to erosion, such as steep slopes and regions with heavy rainfall. By integrating biochar into soil management practices, we can achieve a dual benefit of reducing erosion and sequestering carbon.
Waste Management: Biochar can be made from a variety of organic wastes, such as forestry waste and agricultural residues. The process of creating biochar from these wastes not only helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also provides a solution for waste management. By converting organic waste into biochar, we can reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills. Furthermore, biochar contributes significantly to carbon sequestration by storing carbon in a stable state for hundreds to thousands of years. This mechanism collects and stores atmospheric CO2 in the soil, thereby contributing to long-term carbon storage and soil fertility. This is a win-win situation for both the environment and agriculture.
While biochar shows great promise as a tool for carbon sequestration, several challenges must be addressed such as for biochar to be widely used, large-scale production and application techniques are necessary. This means that the manufacturing process needs to be improved to produce biochar in large quantities, and effective methods need to be developed to apply it to different soil types and climates. Additionally, it is important to ensure that biochar remains stable in the long term, which requires further research.
To prevent negative effects on ecosystems and food security, it is crucial to obtain biomass feedstock for biochar production from sustainable sources. This means that the sources of biomass should be renewable and not deplete natural resources or harm biodiversity. Balancing biochar production with the need to safeguard natural resources and maintain biodiversity is essential. This means that the production of biochar should not come at the cost of harming the environment or reducing the availability of resources for future generations.
The usage of biochar directly aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), making it a powerful tool in global sustainability efforts. In this article, biochar directly contributes to various SDGs including SDG-6 that is clean water and sanitation by reducing nutrient runoff into water bodies. Biochar’s ability to sequester carbon not only mitigates climate change (SDG-13) but also enhances soil health, improving water retention and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Additionally, biochar production from agricultural and forestry residues supports responsible consumption and production (SDG12) by utilizing waste materials efficiently.
Furthermore, when used as a renewable energy source through pyrolysis, biochar can contribute to affordable and clean energy (SDG7), providing an alternative to fossil fuels and enhancing energy security. By integrating these aspects, this article can effectively demonstrate how biochar serves as a key strategy for achieving multiple SDGs, showcasing its broader environmental and societal impact.
