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Susan Chen
Individual Paper Review Proposal

Topic: Pyrolysis Product Biochar and Its Applications

Anthropogenic carbon emission is considered to be a significant contribution to global
climate change. In order to combat this issue, Cornell University has pledged to achieve climate
neutrality by 2050 through its Climate Action Plan (CAP). As an extension of the CAP, the
Cornell University Renewable Bioenergy Initiative (CURBI) is researching the feasibility of
different biomass conversion technologies. One of the technologies proposed by CURBI is slow
pyrolysis, which produces biogas, bio-oil, and biochar. Slow pyrolysis can yield approximately
35% biochar
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, with varying yield rations dependent on feedstock composition and process
parameters. Much research has been done on biochar properties due to its positive environmental
impact as a soil amendment. Biochar is the only carbon-negative product of pyrolysis due to its
ability to sequester carbon.
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In addition, studies have also shown that biochar addition to soil can
facilitate remediation as well as increase soil productivity. The Individual Paper Review will
discuss in-depth the characterization and composition of biochar, as well as its various
applications and environmental impacts. Selected topics that will be covered in more detail in the
review summarized below.
Biochar is most noted for its carbon storage capacity. Biochar is composed of organic
matter and will slowly decompose and release carbon dioxide. This rate is much slower than the
rate at which CO
2
is released by other organic carbon forms in soil.
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This results in a net
withdrawal of CO
2
from the atmosphere. Up to 5.5 to 9.5 gigatons of carbon can be sequestered
globally, potentially offsetting all current anthropogenic fossil fuel emissions.
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Sustainable
production of biochar and addition to soil can potentially reduce emissions by 1.8 Pg annually,
at current levels of feedstock availability, while preserving biodiversity, ecosystem stability and
food security.
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In addition to carbon storage, biochar can also reduce NO
x
emissions. A study
completed by Rondon et al. discovered 80% NO
x
emission reductions as well as complete
suppression of methane emissions with biochar addition.
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Biochar amendment to soil can have positive impacts to crop yields. A study performed
on pot grown lettuce and cabbage found that biochar addition to soil resulted in a much higher
productivity than non-fertilized soil.
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Depending on the temperature of pyrolysis, biochar
produced will have different characteristics. Low-temperature biochar can enhance rapid nutrient
availability and high-temperature biochar can bind soil carbon and other nutrients in the long

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Bridgwater, A. (2011). Review of Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass and Product Upgrading. Biomass and Bioenergy, 38, 69-94.
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Lehmann, J. (2007). Bio-energy in the black. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, preprint(2007), 1.
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Baldock, J. A., & Smernik, R. J. (2002). Chemical composition and bioavailability of thermally altered Pinus resinosa (Red
pine) wood. Organic Geochemistry, 33(9), 1093-1109.
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Lehmann, J., Gaunt, J., & Rondon, M. (2006). Bio-char Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems A Review. Mitigation and
Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 11(2), 395-419.
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Woolf, D., Amonette, J. E., Street-Perrott, F. A., Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (2010). Sustainable biochar to mitigate global
climate change. Nature Communications, 1(5), 1-9.
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Rondon M, Ramirez J.A., and Lehmann J. (2005). Charcoal additions reduce net emissions of greenhouse gases to the
atmosphere, in Proceedings of the Third USDA Symposium on Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Sequestration, Baltimore, MD,
21-24 March 2005, p208.
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Carter, S., Shackley, S., Sohi, S., Suy, T., & Haefele, S. (2013). The Impact of Biochar Application on Soil Properties and Plant
Growth of Pot Grown Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Cabbage (Brassica chinensis). Agronomy, 3(2), 404-418

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run.
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Biochar is alkaline and can neutralize acidic soils, providing an environment conducive to
crop growth.
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Biochar application can also be used as a method of soil remediation. The improved
nutrient retention of soil enriched with biochar can reduce nutrient leaching into waters, and
reduce potential eutrophication. Pyrolyzing residues from agriculture, anaerobic digesters, and
industrial waste streams can recycle nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and minerals back
into the soil for agricultural productivity. Caution must be exercised when considering pyrolysis
of waste streams due to likelihood of contamination by heavy metals.
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Heavy metals cannot be
degraded by soil microbes and will have a negative environmental impact.

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Mukherjee, A., & Lal, R. (2013). Biochar Impacts on Soil Physical Properties and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Agronomy, 3(2),
313-339.
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Lehmann, J., Rillig, M. C., Thies, J., Masiello, C. A., Hockaday, W. C., & Crowley, D. (2011). Biochar effects on soil biota A
review. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 43(9), 1812-1836.
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Beesley, L., Moreno-Jimnez, E., Gomez-Eyles, J. L., Harris, E., Robinson, B., & Sizmur, T. (2011). A review of biochars
potential role in the remediation, revegetation and restoration of contaminated soils. Environmental Pollution, 159(12), 3269-
3282.