The costs and benefits of biochar production and use: A systematic review

Campion, Luca; Bekchanova, Madina; Malina, Robert; Kuppens, Tom

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137138

Cited by 52 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…In the relevant literature, the biochar UOL presents both positive and negative arguments regarding its potential environmental impacts [76] or benefits [37,41,77]. Several studies have quantified the potential impacts of the UOL of different biobased materials (e.g., digestate, manure, etc.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biochar has also garnered extensive attention in the remediation of soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements or organic substances, owing to its adsorption properties and straightforward operations [36]. In addition, thanks to its ability to enhance soil's capacity to retain carbon, the UOL of biochar is considered a valid strategy for mitigating the presence of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere [40,41]. Typically, the non-treated biomass disposed on land decomposes quickly, and the CO 2 is released back into the atmosphere.…”

Section: Biocharmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, the carbon is stored much longer [42]. In addition to the environmental benefits associated with the UOL of biochar, several economic savings have also been identified [41].…”

Section: Biocharmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life Cycle Assessment of a Wood Biomass Gasification Plant and Implications for Syngas and Biochar Utilization

Arfelli,

Tosi,

Ciacci

et al. 2024

Energies

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The growing attention regarding the environmental challenges in the energy sectors pushes the industrial system toward the investigation of more sustainable and renewable energy sources to replace fossil ones. Among the promising alternatives, biomass is considered a valid source to convert the system and to reduce the fossil fraction of the national energy mixes, but its multiple potential uses need an environmental evaluation to understand the actual benefit when it is used as an energy resource. For this purpose, life cycle assessment (LCA) is applied to a wood biomass gasification system aimed to produce electricity and heat generated after the combustion of the produced syngas and the management of the biochar. The aim is to provide a quantitative comparison of (i) a baseline scenario where wood biomass is sourced from waste and (ii) a second scenario where wood biomass is drawn from dedicated cultivation. A further evaluation was finally applied to investigate the environmental implications associated with the biochar composition, assuming it was used on land. The proposed strategies resulted in an environmental credit for both the examined scenarios, but the outcomes showed a net preference for the baseline scenario, resulting in better environmental performances for all the examined categories with respect to the second one. It underlines the potentialities of using waste-sourced biomass. However, according to the Climate Change category, if on-site dedicated biomass cultivation is assumed for the second scenario, the baseline is considered preferable only if the biomass transportation distance is <600 km, which is estimated as a theoretical distance for scenarios to break even. Finally, biochar composition proved a particular concern for toxicity-related categories. This study highlights the importance of applying objective and standardized methodologies such as LCA to evaluate energy production systems based on alternative sources and to support decision-making toward achieving sustainability goals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biocharmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life Cycle Assessment of a Wood Biomass Gasification Plant and Implications for Syngas and Biochar Utilization

Arfelli,

Tosi,

Ciacci

et al. 2024

Energies

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“…Although the term biochar has seen an important rise in recent years, [18] emphasizes that biochar or biochar has been studied since before the 1990s, although the term biochar was not used. The term was first used in 1998 to refer to solid biomass manufactured from pyrolysis.…”

Section: Aspects Of Biochar Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circular Economics in Agricultural Waste Biomass Management

Sant’ Ana,

Oliveira,

Gonçalves

et al. 2024

Biomass

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The present study deals with the reuse of agro-industrial waste with a specific focus on biochar (processed plant biomass or biochar) consisting of organic and inorganic waste biomass subjected to thermochemical processes. The objective of this work is to carry out a systematic review of the literature according to the Methodi Ordinatio methodology and select a bibliographic portfolio of high relevance to this study that makes it possible to present the concepts, applications and interest on the part of companies in including biochar in their processes, as well as addressing the environmental impacts linked to incorrect waste disposal. In this sense, biochar presents an interesting potential solution from both a waste management and environmental point of view. The current challenge is studies that prove economic viability.

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“…This complexity poses a barrier to large-scale private investments in biochar production. To advance biochar production and deployment, careful consideration of these conditions is imperative [112,113]. To navigate these complexities, collaborative efforts between scientists and environmentalists and a comprehensive evaluation of the economic costs of biochar production focusing on both costs and benefits are required.…”

Section: Biochar Production and Factors To Be Considered For Its Appl...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar as an Environment-Friendly Alternative for Multiple Applications

Yadav,

Ramakrishna

2023

Sustainability

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The climate crisis and years of unsustainable agricultural practices have reduced soil fertility and crop yield. In addition, agricultural lands contribute more than 10% of greenhouse gases (GHGs). These concerns can be addressed by using biochar for carbon neutralization, environmental restoration, and agricultural management. Biochar has a role in nitrous oxide and methane gas emission mitigation from agricultural soil. New methods are needed to link belowground processes to functioning in multi-species and multi-cultivar agroecosystems. The intricate relationship between biochar and the composition of soil microbial communities, along with its impacts on functions within the rhizosphere, constitutes a highly perplexing and elusive subject within microbial genomics. The present review discusses how biochar can mitigate climate change, enhance carbon sequestration, and support crop productivity. Biochar could be a potential solution to mitigate soil microplastics and heavy metal contamination. Applying a biochar-based microbiome reduces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil. The current knowledge and perspectives on biochar–plant–microbial interactions for sustainable agriculture and ameliorating the adverse effects of climate change are highlighted. In this review, a holistic approach was used to emphasize the utility of biochar for multiple applications with positive and negative effects and its role in promoting a functional circular economy.

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The costs and benefits of biochar production and use: A systematic review

Cited by 52 publications

References 91 publications

Life Cycle Assessment of a Wood Biomass Gasification Plant and Implications for Syngas and Biochar Utilization

Life Cycle Assessment of a Wood Biomass Gasification Plant and Implications for Syngas and Biochar Utilization

Circular Economics in Agricultural Waste Biomass Management

Biochar as an Environment-Friendly Alternative for Multiple Applications

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