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Biochar Network Meeting

Palmerston North, April 24, 2009

LEARNING FROM NATURE FOR


SEQUESTERING CARBON IN SOIL.
CARBONIZATION AND BIOCHAR

Marta Camps
Massey University
1
1. Biogeochemical carbon compartments and fluxes
The total amount of C present in the Earth is essentially constant
 C conservation
i f
follows the first
fi law off thermodynamicsi

805 Gt-Pg
Gt P
However, the forms
and amounts of C
present in the
different
biogeochemical
compartments are
not constant, and
t
transfers
f occur
between them
Soil 1,700
(carbonates)
6,000

Amount in the
0.1
atmosphere
y small
relatively
Lithosphere
39,000,000
(carbonates)
Modified from Houghton (2007)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
2
However, the total atmospheric concentration of CO2 has increased
markedly during the last century as a result of human activities

O=C=O

Charles Keeling

Current CO2 concentration is 380 ppm


(by volume) equivalent to 805 Gt C

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
3
There is a well established relationship between the concentration of
CO2 and the GHG effect in the planet Earth

www.boilermakers.org

Global Warming Art

The GH effect is essential in maintaining the current


p
temperature of the Earth, otherwise the p
planet would be
extremely cold

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
4

Medieval Warm Period

IPCC
Little Ice Age

The IPCC 2007 conclusion: “it is very


y likely
y that average
g NH temperatures
p during
g the
second half of the 20th century were warmer than any other 50-year period in the
last 500 years and likely the warmest in at least the past 1300 years”

W need
We d to
t stabilize
t bili GHG concentrations!!!
t ti !!!

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
5
ATMOSPHERE

BIOSPHERE HYDROSPHERE

PEDOSPHERE LITHOSPHERE

As only the C present in the atmospheric compartment interferes with the


global climate  any processes that can sequester C into the other
compartments
p are of fundamental relevance

In addition, a reduction of C emissions is urgently needed

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
6
Natural sinks vs. anthropogenic sinks
Until few decades ago, the CO2 emissions from agriculture were greater
than from other activities
Historical source of CO2
since the beginning of
agriculture
- deforestation
- burning
- tilling

Houghton (2007)

The increase has been smaller than expected due to the existence
of buffering mechanisms (oceanic and terrestrial compartments)

However, these natural sinks may become sources in the coming


future (e.g., CO2 release from the ocean with warming)

We need to generate anthropogenic mechanisms to produce a high


rate C sequestration

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
2. Learning from the Earth history 7

Climate changes due to:


- Internal variability
- Response to:
- natural forces
 Earth
Earth’ss orbital geometry
 Plate tectonics
 volcanic aerosols
 grenhouse forcing
- anthropogenic forces
IPCC, 4th report

Major glacial-interglacial climate swings during Pleistocene are


attributed to changes of Earth’s orbit  changes in temperature 
changes in GHGs and sea level

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON CO2 CONCENTRATION:


Warm periods  release of CO2 dissolved in oceans (Henry’s law)
Cold periods  solubilization of CO2 in oceans (Henry’s law)

Zachos et al. (2001)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
8
On the longer time scales the C cycle controls the Earth climate

Berner (1999)

Berner (1999)

The silicate-carbonate
Th ili t b t subcycle
b l (carbonation/decarbonation):
( b ti /d b ti )
- Silicate rocks + soil CO2/organic acids  sedimentary rocks + saline oceans

CO2 + CaSiO3  CaCO3 + SiO2


Oelkers et al. (2008)

The burial of organic matter subcycle (coalification/oxidation):


- Fixation of CO2 through photosynthesis and burial of organic matter

CO2 + H2O  CH2O + O2

Marta Camps

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
The Cenozoic era - the past 65 My 9
From greenhouse to glasshouse…
Paleocene/Eocene
boundary Late Oligocene
g

Middle Miocene

Zachos et al. (2001)

Hansen et al. (2008)

The large change (14 oC) of Cenozoic temperature must have been forced by changes in
GHG (which changed from 1500 ± 500 ppm in the early Cenozoic to180 ppm in glacial times)

50 My ago  Thermal maximum (early Eocene)  the Indo-Asian collision  outgas of CO2 
increase in To

Thereafter  weathering of the Himalayas/Tibetan plateau  CO2 sequestration  decrease To

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
10
Therefore, natural terrestrial mechanisms that buffer high CO2
concentrations are:
1 - Photosynthesis and organic matter accumulation
2 - Coalification
3 - Mineral weathering and carbonation
Warm conditions (high water evaporation) and high
CO2 concentrations  accumulation of biomass and
organic matter in stagnant areas

H/Ag horizon
Bg/Cr horizon

Siderite (FeCO3)

2H/Ag horizon

B i off As
Basin A Pontes
P t (NW Spain)
S i )
Macías (2004)

Macías and Camps Arbestain (in preparation)


preparation)
Typha
Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND ORGANIC MATTER ACCUMULATION IN SOILS
Increase in C stocks in biomass and soils

Articles 3.3, 3.4, 6 and 12, Kyoto Protocol

Importance of organic C stocks (biomass vs. soil)


Monterey pine stands of 35 years old = mean total biomass = 120 t C/ha
73%
Organic C sequestration in soils is a
27%
Depth Corg Bulk Stock win-win strategy (Robert, 2001)
dens. Corg
Alu-andic Andosol (Spain)
cm % g cm-3 t/ha
• Increases soil quality
Ap 0-20 7.60 0.65 99 • Increases biomass production
Ap
• Decreases risk of erosion
Ah1 20-40 7.33 0.54 79
Ah1
• Increases the water filtering capacity
Ah2 Ah2 40-60 4.29 0.66 57 • Increases biodiversity
Ah3
Ah3 60-80 3.24 0.73 47
Ah4
Ah4 80-100 2.84 0.87 49 Importance of soil conservation!!!
Marta Camps Total 331

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
TYPES OF OM ALONG A pH GRADIENT

peat Al-mull Andic-mull Fe-mull Eutric-mull Calcareous-mull

Primary production
Camps Arbestain and Macias (unpublished)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
CARBONIZATION AND BIOCHAR 13

Natural coalification of biomass takes place on a timescale of


hundred (peat) to hundred million (black coal) years...
years

... Humans have burnt part of it in less


than 200 years...

Berner (1999)
Hansen et al. (2008)
Hansen (2008)

Industrial activity

Addition off
Additi
biochar

We should
W h ld llook
k att th
the ffeasibility
ibilit off turning
t i coall formation
f ti into
i t an active
ti
element of carbon sequestration schemes  production of biochar
Titirici et al. (2007)
Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
14
Thinking about feasibility...
• Economics...
• Offsets tradings
• Use of feedstocks with a waste
management fee
• Production of chars with added value
• Agronomic added value

 Increases CEC
 Increases soil water content capacity
 I
Improves soilil structure
t t
 Increases biomass production

Prices in March
• Environmental added value
US$ 14 t CO2
 Reduces
US$ 51.3
need tC
of fertilizers
Avoided
 Pot. reduction N2O emissions
 US$ 41 t biochar emissions
 Offsets fossil fuel for energy
 Filters pollutants S il remediation
Soil di ti

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
15

What is biochar?
Biochar is a fine-grained charcoal high in organic carbon
and largely resistant to decomposition

Jérôme Lecointre Jérôme Lecointre

It is produced from the thermal decomposition of organic


feedstocks – generally at slow heating rates under oxygen-
oxygen
limited conditions (slow pyrolysis) – although it may involve
other techniques

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Steiner (2007) 16
The definition adopted by IBI further
specifies the need for applying the material
to soil for agricultural and environmental
gain

Difference from charcoal


Charcoal is produced from the thermal
decomposition of wood, mainly for use as
an urban fuel for heating and cooking

Difference from char


Char is produced from the thermal
decomposition of any natural or synthetic
material

Difference ffrom activated


Diff ti t d
carbon
Activated
c a ed ca carbon
bo iss manufactured
a u ac u ed by heating
ea g ca carbonaceous
bo aceous
material at a high temperature and over long periods of time

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
How is biochar made? 17

- Slow pyrolysis
- Flash pyrolysis
Major techniques: - Fast pyrolysis
- Hydrothermal carbonization
- Microwave conversion

Fast pyrolysis
- The production of biochar via pyrolysis
also yields bioenergy in the form of syn-
feedstock gas and bio-oil.

syngas
biooil
water
biochar

- Maximization of biochar output is at the


expense of bioenergy production

Slow pyrolysis
Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Competition among pyrolysis products 18

Factors favoring biochar vs. bioenergy


formation:
- Lower temperature
- Slower heating rates
- Longer vapor residence times
- Higher pressure From Amonette (2009)

- Higher feedstock particle size

In general, process is more important


than feedstock in determining products
off pyrolysis
l i

From Amonette (2009)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
19
Biochar characteristics change with process conditions

Depending
D di on th
the extent
t t off thermal
th l
alteration, BC particles can take any form
along a continuum from slight charred
biomass to charcoal and to soot
Kleber and Keiluweit

Too hydrophobic

Threshold criteria needed


for the production of the
right biochar

Kleber and Keiluweit

Low pH, low CEC,


Biochar Network Small surface area
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
20
Biochar characteristics change with process conditions
Different temperatures of pyrolysis Surface oxidation with long-
t
term weathering
th i

80

60

40

20

0 total C (%)

350 ⁰C Lime equivalent  (kg CaCO3 t‐1)
400 ⁰C Lehmann et al. (2005)
550 ⁰C
Aitkenhead et al. (2009)

P t
Post-pyrolysis
l i treatment
t t t incubating
i b ti att 70 deg
d C

Cheng et al. (2006)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Influence of feedstock? 21

- Forest residues:
- Wood chips
- Wood pellets
- Tree bark
- Crop residues:
- straw
- nut shells
- rice
i h
hulls
ll
- organic wastes:
- distillers’ grains
- bagasse
- olive waste
- chicken litter
- dairy manure
- sewage sludge
- paper sludge

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Influence of feedstock? 22

100
80
60
- Feedstocks favoured for bioenergy
40
20 production  low mineral and N
0 content
total C (%)
Lime equivalent

Aitkenhead et al. (2009)

- Feedstocks with high lignin content


produce the highest biochar yields at
moderate temperatures (500 deg C)

From Amonette (2009)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Influence of feedstock? 23

Sewage sludge (550 deg C)

Aitkenhead et al. (2009)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Influence of feedstock? 24

Sewage sludge (550 deg C)

Aitkenhead et al. (2009)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Influence of feedstock? 25

Miscanthus
Mi th
(400 deg C)

Pine
(400 deg C)

Aitkenhead et al. (2009)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Why biochar? It is a win-win-win strategy (Laird, 2008)
26

1. Biochar uncouples the atmospheric and terrestrial carbon cycle, as it removes


carbon from the cycle in a form that can remain stable for hundreds to thousands
of years
2. Biochar has other potential environmental and agronomic benefits when
applied to soils

3. Biochar production may help to reduce waste and return elements to their
3
biogeochemical cycles

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and climate change 27

Whether stabilization by conversion to biochar represents a net carbon saving


depends on the type of biochar and time horizon for the comparison

(Baldock and Smernik,


Smernik
2002; Bischofberger,
2008)

Lehmann et al. (2006), Mitigation and adaptation


Strategies for Global Change, 11:403-427.

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and climate change 28

Estimated biochar turnover: greatly depends on type of biochar, soil


type and environmental conditions!!

- Studies on Russian steppe soils estimated soil


black carbon turnover ranging from 182 to 541
years (Hammes et al., 2008)

- Studies on Australian savannah regions,


g
estimated mean residence time of BC was
1300-2600 years (Lehmann et al., 2008)

Less condensed BC structures were lost

Kleber and Keiluweit

Additional role of transport…


Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and climate change 29

Study of stability of charcoal in soils nearby historical charcoal blast


furnace sites across a climatic area (Cheng et al., 2008a,b)

- Charcoal was substantially oxidized after 130


years
- Positive relationship between biochar
oxidation and mean annual temperature
(MAT)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and climate change 30

Biochar in addition,
Biochar, addition
- may prevent N2O and CH4 release from soil and from wastes
- may avoid CO2 emissions from fertilizer production
- may promote natural organic C stabilization (although it may also have
an inverse effect)
- Promote plant growth and thus CO2 fixation

Laird (2008)

The effects are likely to reflect the impacts of biochar on soil physical properties,
Particularly modification of pore-size distribution (and hence soil water retention),
but also through retention of precursors of N2O

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and agriculture 31

David Laird

Day (2004)
Conventional fertilizers added to
bi h appear to
biochar t b be much h
more effective and less likely to
be washed out

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and microbial activity 32

Ogawa (1999) Kansai Environmental

The growth of pine root and mycorrhiza formation started 5-6 months after
the treatment (Day, 2004)

Addition of pyroligneous acid


(wood vinegar)

Das et al. (2008)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and microbial activity 33

Biochar added to soils provides nutrient and water storage for mycorrhiza
(Ogawa, Kansal Environmental, in Day, 2004)

It also enhances bacterial growth

Does this increase decomposition of native


soilil organic
i matter?
tt ?

Ogawa (1992) in Day (2004)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and microbial activity 34

Lincoln University Biochar Research


Dr Robert Hill
Positive effects of biochar on root zone;
beneficial microorganisms and plant health Bioprotection of Acacia mangium
and vigour using Trichoderma in Borneo

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and waste management 35

Utilization of wastes with a tipping fee holds the attraction of potential cost savings
f
from avoided
id d llandfill
dfill or other
th disposal
di l charges
h

Jérôme Lecointre Jérôme Lecointre

Biochar from biosolids Biochar from willow prunings

- Higher bulk density


- higher nutrient content
- additional beneficial effects of reducing the
risks of CH4 and N2O emissions
- Elements return to their biogeochemical
cycles
Soil horizons (2008)

Need to use wastes low in pollutants  importance of biosolids from non-industrial


non industrial
areas!!!!

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar and other environmental effects 36

Biochar as a filter for pollutants

Laird (2008)

Wingate et al. (2008)

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
37

The NZBRC aims to advance the understanding of biochar


for mitigating global climate change and to enable its use in
NZ, particularly by agricultural and forestry sectors

The work at the NZBRC is organized into three close linked


streams of R&D activities:
1 soilil science
1- i and
d biochar
bi h
2- pyrolysis plant and biochar engineering

3 biochar
3- bi h and
d greenhouse
h gas mitigation
iti ti strategies
t t i

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
38

Research questions that require the attention of the NZBRC:


- Can we produce environmentally safe biochars from NZ feedstocks
with an agronomic value for NZ soils?
- Is the whole process economically viable with a long-term
long term net carbon
negative footprint?
- Which barriers (e.g., social, technical and logistic aspects) are to be
overcome before a large scale implementation is attempted?

- Are there alternative uses of biochar other than agronomic ones (e.g.,
wastewater filtering)?

- Can we monitor biochar in soils with rapid and accessible


technologies?

- What are the opportunities


i i ffor the trading
i off carbon credits
i sourced
from biochar/bioenergy systems?
Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
39
Need to look at the overall picture (adapted to NZ)

• Do we have enough wastes?


• Do they have other uses?
• Will we need to crop?
• Logistics of transport?
• Drying needs?
• Pre
Pre-processing?
processing?
• Optimization of the process?
• Mass and energy balances
• Size and site suitability?
• Energy use requirements in
the vicinity?
Ogawa et al. (2006 • Doses, handling properties?
• Storage, management
practices?

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
Biochar application to soils 40

Problems related to low bulk density:


- Particulate air pollution
- Wind and water erosion
- large volumes to transport
Problems related to spontaneous
combustion
b ti risk
ik

 Challenge for safe and cost-effective


Laird (2008)
application

- Pelleting
P ll ti bi h might
biochar i ht b
be an option
ti but
b t increases
i costs
t and
d energy expenses, and
d might
i ht
change biochar properties

Methods of application (Blackwell et al., 2009):


- Top dressing
- Uniform topsoil mixing
- Incorporation with composts and manures

- Incorporation with liquid manures and slurries

- Deep-banded application in rows

http://www.biochar.org/joomla/images/stories/OkimoriBiochar1.jpg

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
References 41
Amonette, J. 2009. An introduction to biochar: concept, processes, properties, and applications.
www.harvestcleanenergy.org/ conference/HCE9/Post-conference/PPT/JimAmonette.pdf
Aitkenhead,
Aitk h d W.W , J.
J Hindmarsh,
Hi d h M.
M Camps
C A b t i M.
Arbestain, M Hedley.
H dl 2009
2009. D
Detailed
t il d characterisation
h t i ti off biochars
bi h obtained
bt i d
from New Zealand feedstocks. Asia Pacific Biochar Conference, Golden Coast, Australia, 17-20 May.
Baldock, J.A., R.J. Smernik. 2002. Chemical composition and bioavailability of thermally altered Pinus resinosa (red pine)
wood. Organic Geochemistry, vol 33, pp. 1093-1109.
Berner, R.A. 1999. A new look at the long term carbon cycle. GSA Today. 9:1-6.
Blackwell, P., G. Riethmuller, M. Collins. 2009. Biochar application to soil. In: Biochar for Environmental Management.
Science and Technology. J. Lhemann and S. Joseph (Eds.). Pp. 207-226. Earthscan, London.
Bischofberger, S. 2008. Black carbon in soil carbon cycle: is it an oxidation resistant end-product? Therm paper. Institute
of Biogeochemistry and Pollution Dynamics. ETHZ Switzerland.
Cheng, C.H.,
Cheng C H JJ. Lehmann,
Lehmann J.E.
J E Thies,
Thies S.D.
S D Burton
Burton, M.H.
M H Engelhard.
Engelhard 2006
2006. Oxidation of black carbon through biotic and
abiotic processes. Org. Geochemistry. 37:1477-1488.
Cheng, C.H., J. Lehmann, M.H. Engelhard. 2008. Natural oxidation of black carbon in soils: changes in molecular form
and surface charge along a climosequence. Geochemica et Cosmochimica Acta 72:1598-1610.
Cheng, C.H., J. Lehmann, J.E. Thies, S.D. Burton. 2008. Stability of black carbon in soils across a climatic gradient. Journal
of Geophysical Research.
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G02027 doi:10.1029/2007JG000642.
doi:10 1029/2007JG000642
Das, K.C., M. Garcia-Perez, B. Bibens, N. Melear. 2008. Slow pyrolysis of poultry litter and pine woody biomass: impact of
chars and bio-oils on microbial growth. Journal of Environmental Science and Health. 43:714-724.
Demirbas, A. 2001. Carbonization ranking of selected biomass for charcoal, liquid and gaseous products. Energy
Conversion and Management, 42:1229-1238.
Hammes, K., M.S. Torn, A.G. Lapenas, M.W.I. Schmidt. 2008. Centennial black carbon turnover observed in a Russian
steppe soil. Biogeosciences 5:1339-1350.
Hansen, J., M. Sato, P. Kharecha, D. Beerling, R. Berner, V. Masson-Delmotte, M. Pagani, M. Raymo, D.L. Royer, J.C.
Zachos. 2008. Target atmospheric CO2: where shoudl humanity aim? The Open Atmospheric Science Journal. 2:217-231.
Houghton, R.A. 2007. Balancing the global carbon budget. Annu. Rev. Earth. Planet. Sci. 35:213-47.
Kleber, M., M. Keiluweit. A new geochemical model for environmental black carbon. Oregon State University.

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
References 42
Laird, D.A. 2008. Pyrolysis, biochar and sustainable bioenergy feedstock production. Presented in Environmental and
rural development impacts, October 2008, St. Louis, Missouri.
LLehmann,
h J.,
J B.B Li
Liang, D.
D Salomon,
S l M.
M Lerotic,
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Wi i k C.
C Jacobsen.
J b 2005.
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ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy for mapping nano-scale distribution of organic carbon forms in soil:
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Lehmann, J. J. Gaunt, M. Rondon. 2006. Bio-char sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems – a review. Mitigation and
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db E. Krull.
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2008 Australian
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climate-carbon cycle feedback reduced by soil black carbon. Nature Geoscience. Advanced online publication.
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Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009
43

THANK YOU!!!

Biochar Network
Palmerston North, April 24, 2009

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