PHOTO: Bob Cirino, University of DelawarePHOTO: Bob Cirino, University of Delaware

into

chlorophyllchlorophyllcarbohydratescarbohydratesphotosynthesisphotosynthesis

+ water = electrolytes+ water = electrolytes

Nitrogen, Boron, IodineNitrogen, Boron, IodinePhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorinePhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorineAAnionsnions

most Trace Elementsmost Trace ElementsSodium, Potassium, Calcium, MagnesiumSodium, Potassium, Calcium, MagnesiumCCationsations

Energy FlowEnergy FlowBiochar PropertiesBiochar Properties

CationCation adsorption adsorption (positive ions) (positive ions)Huge capacity: micropore surfacesHuge capacity: micropore surfacesIncrease Increase CECCEC sharply (+20-50) sharply (+20-50)Increase stored growth potentialIncrease stored growth potential

Easily available formsEasily available formsAdsorbed on micropore surfacesAdsorbed on micropore surfacesRetain nutrients in root zoneRetain nutrients in root zoneSimple ion exchange with rootsSimple ion exchange with rootsReduce leaching (40-80%)Reduce leaching (40-80%)

Enhance microbial activityEnhance microbial activityEfficient nutrient use by plantsEfficient nutrient use by plantsReduce fertillizer applicationsReduce fertillizer applicationsEnhance growth of cropsEnhance growth of cropsHigher crop nutrient contentHigher crop nutrient content

Sorption to detoxify & remediateSorption to detoxify & remediateHeavy metalsHeavy metalsOrganic moleculesOrganic molecules

Store charge as ions (micropore adsorption)Store charge as electrons (carbon rings)Release charge to power growthRegulate charge level & polaritySource of charge?

AAnionsnionsPhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorinePhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorineNitrogen, Boron, IodineNitrogen, Boron, Iodine

CCationsationsSodium, Potassium, Calcium, MagnesiumSodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesiummost Trace Elementsmost Trace Elements

CCation ation EExchange xchange CCapacityapacity

Soil Class CECCECSandy 3-5Silt Loam 10-15Heavy Clay 20-25

Corn Yield CECCEC80 bu

5100 bu

7120 bu

9140 bu

11160 bu

13180 bu

16

Soil as battery

Where are the electrons?

Electron adsorption capacity

Soil conducivity

Cations add charge to batteryAnions carry charge around in cell & plantAcid = H+ charge = electron deficient

Charge carriers: electrons = negativeCellulose & micropores: charge conductorCarbon ring & electron cloud: capacitorIons, membranes & biofilms: circuit board

Capacity to contain electronsAbility to pass electric current

Cation ECation Exchange xchange CCapacity (apacity (CECCEC))

CC CC

CC

CC

CC

CC

−e

−e

PARADIGM SHIFTPARADIGM SHIFT Biochar PropertiesBiochar Properties

corncobcorncob

batterybatterybiocharbiochar

LED bulbLED bulb

super-super-capacitorcapacitor

lit bylit by

AnionAnion adsorptionadsorption (negative ions) (negative ions)

Huge capacity: microporesHuge capacity: microporesUnique ability among soil componentsUnique ability among soil componentsIncrease AEC tremendously (+10–20)Increase AEC tremendously (+10–20)Form nutrient reservoirs in soil matrixForm nutrient reservoirs in soil matrix

Nitrogen, Phosphorus & MicrobesNitrogen, Phosphorus & MicrobesNitrogen-cycle bacteriaNitrogen-cycle bacteriaFree-living nitrogen-fixing bacteriaFree-living nitrogen-fixing bacteriaPhosphorus, fungi & biocharPhosphorus, fungi & biocharChallenges to handle living culturesChallenges to handle living culturesProbiotic: create microbe-friendly soilProbiotic: create microbe-friendly soilReduce non-point pollution Reduce non-point pollution Curb Curb eutrophicationeutrophication

CCation ation EExchange xchange CCapacityapacitySodium, Potassium, Calcium, MagnesiumSodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesiummost Trace Elementsmost Trace Elements

AAnion nion EExchange xchange CCapacityapacityPhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorinePhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorineNitrogen, Boron, IodineNitrogen, Boron, IodineNitrogenNitrogenPhosphorusPhosphorus

Major non-point water pollutantMajor non-point water pollutantHalf of US Hydrogen productionHalf of US Hydrogen productionNitrogen into Amino Acids into ProteinsNitrogen into Amino Acids into ProteinsReduce nitrate leaching 40-80%Reduce nitrate leaching 40-80%

Reduce NOReduce NOxx, NH, NH44 out-gassing: adsorptionout-gassing: adsorption

Toxic Algae BloomsToxic Algae BloomsLake Erie 2013Lake Erie 2013

Phosphate & Nitrate Pollution Phosphate & Nitrate Pollution

““Charcoal surpasses all other substances in the Charcoal surpasses all other substances in the power [to] condense ammonia within its pores… power [to] condense ammonia within its pores… absorbs 90 times its volume of ammonia gas, absorbs 90 times its volume of ammonia gas, which separates by simple moistening by water.”which separates by simple moistening by water.”

−−Justus LiebigJustus Liebig, father of chemical fertilizers, father of chemical fertilizers

Peak Phosphorus: supply limited Peak Phosphorus: supply limited Major non-point water pollutantMajor non-point water pollutantPhosphorus availability in soilPhosphorus availability in soilUVM Burlington & Lake ChamplainUVM Burlington & Lake ChamplainPhosphorus traps vs. broadcastPhosphorus traps vs. broadcast

Biochar & Phosphorus StudyBiochar & Phosphorus StudyQuantify Phosphorus adsorption & availability:Quantify Phosphorus adsorption & availability:1) corn stover (1) corn stover (Zea mays Zea mays L.)L.)2) pine wood residue (2) pine wood residue (Pinus ponderosaPinus ponderosa))3) switchgrass (3) switchgrass (Panicum virgatum Panicum virgatum L.). L.).

three very different physical & chemical propertiesthree very different physical & chemical properties

Phosphorus adsorptionPhosphorus adsorptioncorn stover highest corn stover highest - avg:- avg: 79%) 79%) switchgrass switchgrass - avg:- avg: 76%) 76%)pine wood residue pine wood residue - avg:- avg: 31%) 31%)

Available PhosphorusAvailable Phosphorus: % P adsorbed: % P adsorbed (bicarbonate extract)(bicarbonate extract)

pine wood pine wood - avg:- avg: 43% highest 43% highestswitchgrass switchgrass - avg:- avg: 33% 33%corn stover corn stover - avg:- avg: 25% 25%

Biochar added to acid soilBiochar added to acid soil (at 40 g/kg = 4%) (at 40 g/kg = 4%)increased equilibrium P (reduced adsorption)increased equilibrium P (reduced adsorption)increased available adsorbed Pincreased available adsorbed P<<

Alkali biochar in calcareous soilAlkali biochar in calcareous soil (corn stover & switchgrass) (corn stover & switchgrass)

significantly increased P adsorptionsignificantly increased P adsorptiondecreased adsorbed P availabilitydecreased adsorbed P availability

PARADIGM SHIFTPARADIGM SHIFT

AnionAnion Exchange Capacity (AEC) Exchange Capacity (AEC) Biochar PropertiesBiochar Properties

What What [ in the H ][ in the H ] is pH? is pH?

CCation ation EExchange xchange CCapacityapacity AAnion nion EExchange xchange CCapacityapacity

Nitrogen, Boron, IodineNitrogen, Boron, IodinePhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorinePhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorineSodium, Potassium, Calcium, MagnesiumSodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium

most Trace Elementsmost Trace Elements

Th

e N

eu

tral Z

on

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3.03.0 4.04.0 5.05.0 6.06.0 7.07.0 8.08.0 9.09.0 10.010.0 11.011.0

+4+4 +3+3 +2+2 +1+1 00 − −11 −−22 −−33 −−44

AcidAcid ( (H+H+)) AlkaliAlkali ( (OH-OH-))xtremextreme veryvery strongstrong mildmild mildmild strongstrong veryvery xtremextreme6.

4 i

deal

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ap6.

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Electric balance between Electric balance between ++ & & −−Similar to voltage in electricitySimilar to voltage in electricity

Balance: Balance: AcidAcid ( (H+H+) & ) & AlkaliAlkali ( (OH-OH-))

Balance: Balance: The Neutral ZoneThe Neutral Zone

Balance: Balance: Cations (+)Cations (+)

Soil nutrients, plant sap, human bloodSoil nutrients, plant sap, human blood= = Anions (−)Anions (−)

pHpHBiochar PropertiesBiochar Properties

What is pH?What is pH?

pHpH

Slow PyrolysisSlow Pyrolysis

Fast PyrolysisFast Pyrolysis

GasificationGasification

char made with steam at 475°Cchar made with steam at 475°C

char made without steam at 500°Cchar made without steam at 500°C

char produced with steam at 700°Cchar produced with steam at 700°C

tend to be acid (carboxyl)tend to be acid (carboxyl)

tend to be very basictend to be very basicmake good lime agentsmake good lime agents

tend to be slightly basictend to be slightly basic

Biochar PropertiesBiochar Properties

CCation ation EExchange xchange CCapacityapacity AAnion nion EExchange xchange CCapacityapacity

Nitrogen, Boron, IodineNitrogen, Boron, IodinePhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorinePhosphorus, Sulfur, ChlorineSodium, Potassium, Calcium, MagnesiumSodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium

most Trace Elementsmost Trace Elements

VariesVaries

Biochar is pH bufferBiochar is pH bufferStable pH: prime function of biologyStable pH: prime function of biology

Adsorbs excess ionsAdsorbs excess ions

Flywheel effect for ion balanceFlywheel effect for ion balance

Balanced electric chargesBalanced electric charges

Store, distribute & share energyStore, distribute & share energy

What is pH?What is pH?Electric balance between Electric balance between + + & & − −

Similar to voltage in electricitySimilar to voltage in electricity

Balance: Balance: AcidAcid ( (H+H+) + ) + AlkaliAlkali ( (OH-OH-))

Balance: Balance: The Neutral ZoneThe Neutral Zone

Balance: Balance: Cations (+)Cations (+) = = Anions (−)Anions (−)

Soil nutrients, plant sap, human bloodSoil nutrients, plant sap, human blood

with feedstockwith feedstock

with production processwith production process

with post-production processwith post-production process

MoisteMoistennFresh char is bone dry and sterileFresh char is bone dry and sterile

Hydrophobic, due to tar & resin residues Hydrophobic, due to tar & resin residues Excess moisture is also troubleExcess moisture is also trouble

MicronizeMicronizeMaximize surface areaMaximize surface areaRice grain size, down to dustRice grain size, down to dustGrind, crush, screenGrind, crush, screenWeedy vs. woody feedstocksWeedy vs. woody feedstocksWater-soluble, low-weight carbonsWater-soluble, low-weight carbons

MineralizeMineralizeHuge internal adsorption capacityHuge internal adsorption capacityHigh efficiency delivery of nutrientsHigh efficiency delivery of nutrientsCharge with sea minerals (trace elements)Charge with sea minerals (trace elements)Major Major CationsCations (Ca, Mg, K) & (Ca, Mg, K) & AnionsAnions (N, P, S) (N, P, S)

MicrobialMicrobial InoculationInoculationEncourage colonization by microbesEncourage colonization by microbesSimplest method: blend with compost Simplest method: blend with compost Commercial cultures:Commercial cultures:BD preps, EM, SCD BioAg, Trichoderma, Mycorrhizae….. BD preps, EM, SCD BioAg, Trichoderma, Mycorrhizae…..

• MMoistenoisten

The 4M’sThe 4M’sSteps to Prepare BiocharSteps to Prepare Biochar

Using Biochar in SoilUsing Biochar in Soil

• MMicronizeicronize

• MMineralizeineralize

• MMicrobialicrobialInoculationInoculation