Biochar Stability
Project overview
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Short summary
The long-term carbon storage capacity of biochar is dependent on the stability of carbon in agricultural soils. This project uses field trials and new modeling to improve predictions of biochar stability in soils.
Biochar produced from biomass has large potential as a carbon dioxide removal method through durable carbon storage in soil. A major hurdle for biochar policy and market establishment is limited knowledge about the persistence of biochar in soils over longer time periods. This project addresses this knowledge gap through experiments and modelling. Biochar stability in Swedish agricultural soils is evaluated in long term field trials and laboratory incubations. In parallel, new models for calculation of biochar stability based on biochar properties and environmental conditions are developed. Additionally, data used to support model development is made open to further international research. Finally, practical guidelines for using stability models have been published to help decision makers implement these findings.
Publications:
Azzi ES, Li H, Cederlund H, Karltun E, Sundberg C, 2024. Modelling biochar long-term carbon storage in soil with harmonized analysis of decomposition data, Geoderma 441, 116761, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2023.116761.
Azzi ES, Söderqvist H, Källgren T, Li H, Cederlund H, Sundberg C. 2023. Guidelines for estimation of biochar durability – Background report. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU Report (Department of Energy and Technology, SLU) 126. https://doi.org/10.54612/a.lkbuavb9qc