Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology

Dr. Johannes Lehmann, Stephen Joseph

Earthscan, 2009 - Business & Economics - 449 pages

"Biochar is the carbon-rich product when biomass (such as wood, manure, or crop residues) is heated in a closed container with little or no available air. It can be used to improve agriculture and the environment in several ways, and its stability in soil and superior nutrient-retention properties make it an ideal soil amendment to increase crop yields. In addition to this, biochar sequestration, in combination with sustainable biomass production, can be carbon-negative and therefore used to actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with major implications for mitigation of climate change. Biochar production can also be combined with bioenergy production through the use of the gases that are given off in the pyrolysis process.This book is the first to synthesize the expanding research literature on this topic. The book's interdisciplinary approach, which covers engineering, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, economics and policy, is a vital tool at this stage of biochar technology development. This comprehensive overview of current knowledge will be of interest to advanced students, researchers and professionals in a wide range of disciplines"--Provided by publisher.

Contents

• An Introduction: 1
• Chapter 2 Physical Properties of Biochar: 13
• Microchemical Properties: 33
• Organochemical Properties: 53
• Nutrient Properties and Their Enhancement: 67
• Biological Properties: 85
• Chapter 7 Developing a Biochar Classification and Test Methods: 107
• Chapter 8 Biochar Production Technology: 127
• Chapter 9 Biochar Systems: 147
• Chapter 10 Changes of Biochar in Soil: 169
• Chapter 11 Stability of Biochar in the Soil: 183
• Chapter 12 Biochar Application to Soil: 207
• Chapter 13 Biochar and Emissions of NonCO2 Greenhouse Gases from Soil: 227
• Chapter 14 Biochar Effects on Soil Nutrient Transformations: 251
• Chapter 15 Biochar Effects on Nutrient Leaching: 271
• Chapter 16 Biochar and Sorption of Organic Compounds: 289
• Chapter 17 Test Procedures for Determining the Quantity of Biochar within Soils: 301
• Chapter 18 Biochar Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Emissions Trading: 317
• Chapter 19 Economics of Biochar Production Utilization and Greenhouse Gas Offsets: 341
• Chapter 20 Socioeconomic Assessment and Implementation of Smallscale Biochar Projects: 359
• Some Essential Concepts for Commercial Success: 375
• A Leading Role for Biochar: 393
• Index: 405

About the author

Johannes Lehmann is associate professor of soil biogeochemistry and soil fertility management at Cornell University, USA, Co-founder and Chair of the Board of the International Biochar Initiative, and member of the editorial boards of Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems and Plant and Soil. Stephen Joseph is a visiting professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Australia, and Vice Chairman and Co-founder of the International Biochar Initiative.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology
• Editors: Dr. Johannes Lehmann, Stephen Joseph
• Publisher: Earthscan, 2009
• ISBN: 1849770557, 9781849770552
• Length: 449 pages
• Subjects: Business & Economics / Environmental Economics; Business & Economics / Industries / Energy; Science / Environmental Science; Science / Global Warming & Climate Change; Technology & Engineering / Agriculture / Agronomy / Soil Science; Technology & Engineering / Environmental / General; Technology & Engineering / Power Resources / Alternative & Renewable; Technology & Engineering / Power Resources / Fossil Fuels