Integrated biochar research: A roadmap

Journal Article · Tue Jan 12 00:00:00 EST 2021 · Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2021.1115a· OSTI ID:1783242

Amonette, James E.  ^[1]; Blanco-Canqui, Humberto ^[2]; Hassebrook, Chuck ^[3]; Laird, David A. ^[4]; Lal, Rattan ^[5]; Lehmann, Johannes ^[6]; Page-Dumroese, Deborah ^[7]

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1. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Physical Sciences Div.; Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States). Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
2. Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States). Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture
3. Sandhills Energy LLC, Lincoln, NE (United States)
4. Idaho State Univ., Pocatello, ID (United States). Dept. of Agronomy; N-Sense LLC, Ames, IA (United States)
5. The Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH (United States). Carbon Management and Sequestration Center
6. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States). School of Integrative Plant Science
7. USDA Forest Service, Moscow, ID (United States). Rocky Mountain Research Station

We provide the rationale and broad outline for a long-term integrated research program that focuses on biochar, a relatively persistent solid form of C produced by thermal conversion of biomass under low-oxygen conditions. We believe that investment in this integrated long-term research program would, within a decade, resolve the most important information needs with respect to the technology for biochar and bioenergy production and the agronomic and environmental impacts of biochar use. This information is critically needed by both private and governmental decision makers to ensure that deployment will yield the maximum productivity, economic, and environmental benefits. Biochar and integrated biochar-bioenergy production systems have the potential to become a robust distributed industry supporting rural economies and an important part of a broader portfolio of solutions to climate change.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1783242
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-158129
• Journal Information: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, Vol. 76, Issue 1; ISSN 0022-4561
• Publisher: Soil and Water Conservation Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
biochar
bioenergy
climate change
research program
rural economic development
soil carbon