Resources sourced by: Laura Sievert
Date sourced: September 2024
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Biochar, a term derived from "biological charcoal,” is the result of heating biomass (such as wood, crop residues, or animal manure) to between 400-800°C in an oxygen-limited environment through a process called pyrolysis. This method prevents the biomass from combusting, leaving behind a gas (syngas), a liquid (bio-oil), and a solid (biochar). The resulting solid, which contains the carbon from the biomass in a highly permanent form, can be used to improve soil health. While the end product looks similar to common charcoal, the burning method ensures that biochar is distinct in its carbon density, chemical composition, and ability to lock carbon away for hundreds to thousands of years.
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Key People
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Key Organizations
International Biochar Initiative
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