All Issue

2024 Vol.57, Issue 3 Preview Page

Opinion

Too much biochar is not better than nothing
Nuri Baek1
,
Husna Israt Pia1
,
Seo-Woo Park2
,
Eun-Seo Shin2
,
Sun-Il Lee3
,
Woo-Jung Choi4*
1Doctoral Student, Department of Rural & Bio-systems Engineering (Brain Korea 21), Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
2Master Student, Department of Rural & Bio-systems Engineering (Brain Korea 21), Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
3Researcher, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Korea
4Professor, Department of Rural & Bio-systems Engineering (Brain Korea 21), Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
*Corresponding Author
31 August 2024. pp. 238-244
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

This study investigated the benefits and potential risks of biochar application using literature data on CH4 emission from paddy fields (n = 107) and N2O from upland fields (n = 174). Literature data indicated that biochar application decreases a substantial amount of CH4 (by 14.4%) from paddy and N2O (by 22.9%) from upland fields. However, the regression analysis between biochar application and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation was not significant, suggesting that the performance of biochar on GHG reduction is not additive due to the diminished capacity of unit-weight biochar to mitigate GHG with increased biochar application rate. Besides, it is also warned that heavy application of biochar may cause soil and food contamination and ecological toxicity because of toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and heavy metals contained in biochar. An optimal biochar application rate by considering these potential risks of biochar needs to be established to take full advantage of biochar to mitigate GHG and enhance soil carbon sequestration.

Optimal application of biochar for carbon sequestration, GHG mitigation, food security and safety, and soil and ecological health.
Keywords
Biochar application rate
Ecological toxicity
Greenhouse gas
Methane
Nitrous oxide
References
1

Bai X, Zhang S, Shao J, Chen A, Jiang J, Chen A, Luo S. 2022. Exploring the negative effects of biochars on the germination, growth, and antioxidant system of rice and corn. J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 10:107398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2022.107398

10.1016/j.jece.2022.107398
2

Borchard N, Schirrmann M, Cayuela ML, Kammann C, Wrage-Mönning N, Estavillo JM, Fuertes-Mendizábal, T, Sigua G, Spokas K, Ippolito JA, Novak J. 2019. Biochar, soil and land-use interactions that reduce nitrate leaching and N2O emissions: A meta-analysis. Sci. Total Environ. 651:2354-2364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.060

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.06030336425
3

Campion L, Bekchanova M, Malina R, Kuppens T. 2023. The costs and benefits of biochar production and use: A systematic review. J. Clean. Prod. 408:137138. Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clepro.2023.137138

10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137138
4

Cayuela ML, van Zwieten L, Singh BP, Jeffery S, Roig A, Sánchez-Monedero MA. 2014. Biochar's role in mitigating soil nitrous oxide emissions: A review and meta-analysis. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 191:5-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2013.10.009

10.1016/j.agee.2013.10.009
5

Chen D, Liu X, Bian R, Cheng K, Zhang X, Zheng J, Joseph S, Crowley D, Pan G, Li L. 2018. Effects of biochar on availability and plant uptake of heavy metals - A meta-analysis. J. Environ. Manage. 222:76-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvm an.2018.05.004

10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.05.00429804035
6

Dong D, Yang M, Wang C, Wang H, Li Y, Luo J, Wu W. 2013. Responses of methane emissions and rice yield to applications of biochar and straw in a paddy field. J. Soils Sediments 13:1450-1460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-013-0732-0

10.1007/s11368-013-0732-0
7

Han KH, Yun SI, Kwak JH, Lee SI. 2023. A review on international carbon credit certification methodologies for biochar as a soil amendment. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 56:572-594. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.4.572

10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.4.572
8

Han KH, Yun SI, Choi DH, Lee SI. 2024. Net CO2 removal of rice husk biochar as soil amendment depending on energy reuse in the production stage. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 57:130-139. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.2.130

10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.2.130
9

Han X, Sun X, Wang C, Wu M, Dong D, Zhong T, Thies JE, Wu W. 2016. Mitigating methane emission from paddy soil with rice straw biochar amendment under projected climate change. Sci. Rep. 6:24731. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep24731

10.1038/srep2473127090814PMC4835783
10

Lee JM, Jeong HC, Gwon HS, Lee HS, Park HR, Kim GS, Park DG, Lee SI. 2023. Effects of biochar on methane emissions and crop yields in East Asian paddy fields: A regional scale meta-analysis. Sustainability 15:9200. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129200

10.3390/su15129200
11

Lee SI, Park HJ, Jeong YJ, Seo BS, Kwak JH, Yang HI, Xu X, Tang S, Cheng W, Lim SS, Choi WJ. 2021. Biochar-induced reduction of N2O emission form East Asian soils under aerobic conditions: Review and data analysis. Environ. Pollut. 291:118154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118154

10.1016/j.envpol.2021.11815434537599
12

Nan Q, Wang C, Wang H, Yi Q, Wu W. 2020. Mitigating methane emission via annual biochar amendment pyrolyzed with rice straw from the same paddy field. Sci. Total Environ. 746:141351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141351

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.14135132768791
13

Nan Q, Xin L, Qin Y, Waqas M, Wu W. 2021. Exploring long-term effects of biochar on mitigating methane emissions from paddy soil: a review. Biochar 3:125-134. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s42773-021-00096-0

10.1007/s42773-021-00096-0
14

Novair SB, Cheraghi M, Faramarzi F, Lajayer BA, Senapathi V, Astatkie T, Price GW. 2023. Reviewing the role of biochar in paddy soils: An agricultural and environmental perspective. Ecotox. Environ. Safe. 263:115228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115228

10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.11522837423198
15

Pia HI, Baek N, Park SW, Shin ES, Lee SI, Kim HY, Tang S, Cheng W, Kwak JH, Park HJ, Choi WJ. 2024. Luxury application of biochar does not enhance rice yield and methane mitigation: a review and data analysis. J. Soils Sediments. 24:2652-2668. https://doi.org.10.1007/s11368-024-03830-w

10.1007/s11368-024-03830-w
16

Quilliam RS, Rangecroft S, Emmett BA, Deluca TH, Jones DL. 2013. Is biochar a source or sink for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds in agricultural soils? Glob. Change Biol. Bioenergy 5:96-103. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12007

10.1111/gcbb.12007
17

Sadasivam BY, Reddy KR. 2015. Adsorption and transport of methane in biochars derived from waste wood. Waste Manage. 43:218-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2015.04.025

10.1016/j.wasman.2015.04.02526005190
18

Spokas KA, Baker JM, Reicosky DC. 2010. Ethylene: potential key for biochar amendment impacts. Plant Soil 333:443-452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104- 010-0359-5

10.1007/s11104-010-0359-5
19

Wang C, Shen J, Liu J, Qin H, Yuan Q, Fan F, Hu Y, Wang J, Wei W, Li Y, Wu J. 2019a. Microbial mechanisms in the reduction of CH4 emission from double rice cropping system amended by biochar: A four-year study. Soil Biol. Biochem. 135:251-263. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2019.05.012

10.1016/j.soilbio.2019.05.012
20

Wang J, Odinga ES, Zhang W, Zhou X, Yang B, Waigi MG, Gao Y. 2019b. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons in biochars and human health risks of food crops grown in biochar-amended soils: A synthesis study. Environ. Int. 130:104899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.06.009

10.1016/j.envint.2019.06.00931203030
21

Yun JJ, Lee DW, Shim JH, Jeon SH, Lee YH, Kwon SI, Park JH, Kang SW, Choi JS, Kim SH. 2023. Evaluation of crop growth and soil chemical properties in cadmium contaminated soil using biochar derived from rendered animal carcass residues. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 56:533-543. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.4.533

10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.4.533
22

Zhang X, Xia J, Pu J, Cai C, Tyson GW, Yuan Z, Hu S. 2019a. Biochar-mediated anaerobic oxidation of methane. Environ. Sci. Technol. 53:6660-6668. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b01345

10.1021/acs.est.9b0134531099557
23

Zhang Y, Xu X, Zhang P, Zhao L, Qiu H, Cao X. 2019b. Pyrolysis-temperature depended quinone and carbonyl groups as the electron accepting sites in barley grass derived biochar. Chemosphere 232:273-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.225

10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.22531154188
24

Zhao Y, Zhao L, Mei Y, Li F, Cao X. 2018. Release of nutrients and heavy metals from biochar-amended soil under environmentally relevant conditions. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 25:2517-2527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0668-9

10.1007/s11356-017-0668-929127636
Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국토양비료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국토양비료학회 학회지
  • Volume : 57
  • No :3
  • Pages :238-244
  • Received Date : 2024-07-17
  • Revised Date : 2024-08-06
  • Accepted Date : 2024-08-16
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2024.57.3.238
Journal Informaiton Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
KJSSF Online Submission
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close