{"id":393,"date":"2023-10-18T10:29:18","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T15:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.american.edu\/carbonremoval\/?p=393"},"modified":"2023-10-18T15:07:14","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T20:07:14","slug":"review-of-lefebvre-et-al-biomass-residue-to-carbon-dioxide-removal-quantifying-the-global-impact-of-biochar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.american.edu\/carbonremoval\/2023\/10\/18\/review-of-lefebvre-et-al-biomass-residue-to-carbon-dioxide-removal-quantifying-the-global-impact-of-biochar\/","title":{"rendered":"Review of Lefebvre, et al., Biomass residue to carbon dioxide removal: quantifying the global impact of biochar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Literature Review Series<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Authored by Wil Burns<\/a>, Co-Director, Institute for Carbon Removal Law & Policy, American University<\/p>\n

To date, the vast majority of purchases of durable carbon dioxide removal have been for biochar<\/a>, a process that can transform biogenic carbon dioxide into a far more stable form via the process of pyrolysis<\/a>. Pyrolysis is a thermal process that, in the absence of oxygen, can deconstruct bio-polymers into, among other things, biochar, a charcoal-like substance that can securely store carbon for hundreds to thousands of years when applied to soil<\/a>. Conversion of biomass to biochar can sequester 50% of initial carbon<\/a>, compared to 3% associated with burning, or less than 10-20% after 5-10 years from biological decomposition.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Lefebvre, et al. The above image is a graphical abstract.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A number of studies in recent years have suggested that biochar potential could be much greater in the future, perhaps in the range of 3.5 GtCO2<\/sub>\/yr., or up to 350 Gt during this century<\/a>. However, to date, studies have focused on global or regional aggregate estimates. In a recently published study<\/a>, researchers led by David Lefebvre of the University of British Columbia sought to extend these analyses by assessing the potential of biochar sequestration in each of 155 countries. The study restricts itself to the assessment of sequestration potential associated with biomass residue feedstocks in the contexts of agriculture, forestry wood residues, animal manure, and wastewater biosolids. The study also presumes that 30% of residues are left in the fields in the interest of maintaining long-term soil health.<\/p>\n

Among the conclusions of the study are the following:<\/p>\n