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Biochar Stability and Long-Term Carbon Storage

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Chemical Engineering and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2022) | Viewed by 19087

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Balal Yousaf

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CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Interests: biochar; thermochemical conversion; green synthesis; biogeochemical cycling; environmental contaminants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Guijian Liu

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CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Interests: environmental geochemistry; climate change; biochar application; pyrolysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biochar is considered to be the most stable form of organic carbon existing in the terrestrial environment, contributing substantially to the mitigation of global climate change by long-term carbon sequestration into the soil system for several centuries to millennia. It has a condensed aromatic carbon structure containing a carbon content ranging between 400–900 g kg^-1 depending upon operating conditions and feedstock materials. Therefore, it is a suitable candidate for the sequestration of atmospheric carbon by acting as a long-term sink to mitigate the challenges of global warming and climate change. In addition to the abovementioned benefits, recent studies have shown that the application of biochar to soil produced from various biomass feedstocks reduced the emission of greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) by 2–5 times in comparison to burning biomass for fuel. During the thermal conversion process, the carbon content increases as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other existing compounds in biomass decompose, making a chemically inert stable structure due to its fused aromatic rings and the old radiocarbon age of pyrolysis residues. Consequently, the resulting stable aromatic rings show potentially high resistance to biological decay/degradation and mineralization, which may result in enhanced biochar stability and prolonged carbon storage in the terrestrial environment.

This Special Issue of Sustainability is seeking papers that can demonstrate the role of pyrolyzed feed materials, modification, and operating conditions in long-term carbon storage. Experimental work can range from production technologies to laboratory-field experiments. Keeping in view the importance of the biochar stability to climate change and carbon sequestration, we specifically seek contributions from different environmental, agricultural, and waste conversion teams.

The selected papers will contribute to describing the state-of-the-art in this field, and will provide new directions for research on the topic of biochar stability and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon to soil systems.

Dr. Balal Yousaf
Prof. Dr. Guijian Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

carbon sequestration
mineralization
pyrolyzed feed materials
biochar
stability
carbon storage
climate change
waste valorization
greenhouse gas emissions

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2432 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Valorization of Cotton Gin Trash through Thermal and Biological Conversion for Soil Application

by Qurat-ul-Ain, Aisha Nazir, Sergio C. Capareda, Muhammad Shafiq and Firdaus-e-Bareen

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13842; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413842 - 15 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3639

Abstract

Cotton gin trash, the by-product of the cotton ginning industry which is produced in large quantities every year, can be utilized as feedstock for deriving high quality organic materials such as biochar, compost and co-composted derivates for improvement of soils’ key physical, chemical and biological properties. This is the first report in which cotton gin trash was both thermally and biologically converted at the same time into biochar (BC), compost (C) and co-compost (Coc), and their effects on soil properties and on plant performance were examined. In order to find the optimum rate, the products were used as soil amendments in a greenhouse experiment at 2.5 t ha⁻¹, 5 t ha⁻¹and 10 t ha⁻¹ rates. All of the amendments contributed in improving the soil properties and provided agronomic benefits to plants, however plants (radish var. Cherry belle) showed significantly (p < 0.05) better growth attributes and almost a 315% increase in biomass yield observed when co-composted biochar (10 t ha⁻¹) was applied to the soil, thus suggesting its role in compensating fertilizer application. Amendments (2.5 and 5.0 t ha⁻¹) considerably increased plant growth parameters; however, differences between 5 and 10 t ha⁻¹ amendments were not so significant. As a result, replenishing soil with Coc (5 t ha⁻¹) on a regular basis can promote plant growth and improve soil qualities over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar Stability and Long-Term Carbon Storage)

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19 pages, 1938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Single Application of Biochar Increases Fertilizer Efficiency, C Sequestration, and pH over the Long-Term in Sandy Soils of Senegal

by Aliou Faye, Zachary P. Stewart, Khady Diome, Calys-Tagoe Edward, Dioumacor Fall, Désiré Komla Kyky Ganyo, Tobi Moriaque Akplo and P. V. Vara Prasad

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 11817; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111817 - 26 Oct 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3722

Abstract

This study evaluated the long-term effects of a single application of different biochar types and quantities in combination with cow manure and annual inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and grain yield under millet monocropping and millet–peanut rotation in sandy soils of the peanut basin of Senegal. Results of over six years showed that a single application of 5–10 t ha⁻¹ biochar (rice husk or Typha australis) and/or manure significantly increased soil pH (from 5.5 to 6.3) and total C (from 1.84% to an average of 2.69%). Soil available P increased due to all treatments. These improved soil properties were maintained for at least eight years following a single application of 5–10 t ha⁻¹ biochar and/or manure. There was limited or slightly negative effects of biochar application on soil N and total soil microbial activity. Applications of either one-third or half of national recommended NPK rate, in combination with a single application of biochar or cow manure, increased millet grain yield up to four to five times (i.e., 100 to 450 kg ha⁻¹), which was equivalent to the yield of treatments receiving the full national recommended fertilizer rate. Limited improvement was observed on peanut yield. This research clearly shows the synergistic benefits of applying single low rates of organic materials in combination with annual low levels of inorganic fertilizer. Treatments receiving the national recommended inorganic fertilizer rates (150 kg ha⁻¹ NPK 15-15-15 and 100 kg ha⁻¹ of urea four weeks after planting) did not produce more than 400 kg ha⁻¹. Biochar application alone did not increase millet yields. With a recommended biochar application rate of 5 t ha⁻¹, we calculate that Senegal has enough biomass available for biochar to cover all of its cropland every 4.4 to 5.5 years. Of particular importance, the 0.85% increase in stable total C has the potential to sequester 27.2 tons C ha⁻¹ and if scaled across Senegal’s 1.6–2.0 million ha of peanut and millet cropland, this practice could sequester 43.52 to 54.4 million tons of C having mutual benefits on crop productivity and climate change mitigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar Stability and Long-Term Carbon Storage)

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15 pages, 1654 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Utilization of Low-Rank Coals for Producing Syngas to Meet the Future Energy Needs: Technical and Economic Analysis

by Usama Ahmed, Muhammad Arsalan Hussain, Muhammad Bilal, Hassan Zeb, Umer Zahid, Sagheer A. Onaizi and Abdul Gani Abdul Jameel

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10724; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910724 - 27 Sep 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2587

Abstract

Increased energy demand in recent decades has resulted in both an energy crisis and carbon emissions. As a result, the development of cleaner fuels has been under the research spotlight. Low-rank coals are geographically dispersed, abundant, and cheap but are not utilized in conventional processes. Syngas can be produced from coal-using gasification which can be used in various chemical engineering applications. In this study, the process model for syngas production from low-rank coal is developed and the effects of various process parameters on syngas composition are evaluated, followed by a technical and economic evaluation. The syngas production rate for the low-rank coal has been evaluated as 25.5 kg/s, and the contribution to H₂ and CO production is estimated as 1.59 kg/s and 23.93 kg/s, respectively. The overall syngas production and energy consumed in the process was evaluated as 27.68 kg/GJ, and the CO₂ specific emissions were calculated as 0.20 (mol basis) for each unit of syngas production. The results revealed that the syngas production efficiency for low-rank coals can be as high as 50.86%. Furthermore, the economic analysis revealed that the investment and minimum selling prices per tonne of syngas production are EUR 163.92 and EUR 180.31, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar Stability and Long-Term Carbon Storage)

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12 pages, 1156 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Acidified Biochar on CO₂–C Efflux and Micronutrient Availability in an Alkaline Sandy Soil

by Mutair A. Akanji, Adel R. A. Usman and Mohammad I. Al-Wabel

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 5196; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095196 - 6 May 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2571

Abstract

Biochar, an alkaline carbonaceous substance resulting from the thermal pyrolysis of biomass, reportedly enhances the micronutrient availability in acidic soils with little or no effect on alkaline soils. In this study, biochars were produced from poultry manure (PM) at 350 °C and 550 °C (BC350 and BC550 respectively). The acidified biochars (ABC350 and ABC550, respectively) were incorporated into an alkaline sandy soil, and their effects on the soil micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) availability, and CO₂–C efflux were investigated in a 30-day incubation study. The treatments (PM, BC350, BC550, ABC350, and ABC550) were administered in triplicate to 100 g soil at 0%, 1%, and 3% (w/w). Relative to the poultry manure treatment, acidification drastically reduced the pH of BC350 and BC550 by 3.13 and 4.28 units, respectively, and increased the micronutrient availability of the studied soil. Furthermore, the biochars (both non-acidified and acidified) reduced the CO₂ emission compared to that of the poultry manure treatment. After 1% treatment with BC550 and ABC550, the CO₂ emissions from the soil were 89.6% and 91.4% lower, respectively, than in the 1% poultry manure treatment. In summary, acidified biochar improved the micronutrient availability in alkaline soil, and when produced at higher temperature, can mitigate the CO₂ emissions of soil carbon sequestration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar Stability and Long-Term Carbon Storage)

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19 pages, 1546 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Effects of Biochar with Farmyard Manure under Optimal Mineral Fertilizing on Tomato Growth, Soil Organic C and Biochemical Quality in a Low Fertility Soil

by Iqra Rehman, Muhammad Riaz, Sajid Ali, Muhammad Saleem Arif, Shafaqat Ali, Mohammed Nasser Alyemeni and Abdulaziz Abdullah Alsahli

Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2652; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052652 - 2 Mar 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4102

Abstract

Biochar amendments are widely recognized to improve crop productivity and soil biogeochemical quality, however, their effects on vegetable crops are less studied. This pot study investigated the effects of cotton stick, corncob and rice straw biochars alone and with farmyard manure (FYM) on tomato growth, soil physico–chemical and biological characteristics, soil organic carbon (SOC) content and amount of soil nutrients under recommended mineral fertilizer conditions in a nutrient-depleted alkaline soil. Biochars were applied at 0, 1.5 and 3% (w/w, basis) rates and FYM was added at 0 and 30 t ha⁻¹ rates. Biochars were developed at 450 °C pyrolysis temperature and varied in total organic C, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents. The results showed that biochars, their amounts and FYM significantly improved tomato growth which varied strongly among the biochar types, amounts and FYM. With FYM, the addition of 3% corncob biochar resulted in the highest total chlorophyll contents (9.55 ug g⁻¹), shoot (76.1 cm) and root lengths (44.7 cm), and biomass production. Biochars with and without FYM significantly increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The soil basal respiration increased with biochar for all biochars but not consistently after FYM addition. The water-extractable organic C (WEOC) and soil organic C (SOC) contents increased significantly with biochar amount and FYM, with the highest SOC found in the soil that received 3% corncob biochar with FYM. Microbial biomass C (MBC), N (MBN) and P (MBP) were the highest in corncob biochar treated soils followed by cotton stick and rice straw biochars. The addition of 3% biochars along with FYM also showed significant positive effects on soil mineral N, P and K contents. The addition of 3% corncob biochar with and without FYM always resulted in higher soil N, P and K contents at the 3% rate. The results further revealed that the positive effects of biochars on above-ground plant responses were primarily due to the improvements in below-ground soil properties, nutrients’ availability and SOC; however, these effects varied strongly between biochar types. Our study concludes that various biochars can enhance tomato production, soil biochemical quality and SOC in nutrient poor soil under greenhouse conditions. However, we emphasize that these findings need further investigations using long-term studies before adopting biochar for sustainable vegetable production systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar Stability and Long-Term Carbon Storage)

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