ARS | Publication request: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Soils as Affected by Addition of Biochar

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 9, 2008
Publication Date: October 9, 2008
Citation: Rogovska, N., Fleming, P.D., Cruse, R., Laird, D.A. 2008. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Soils as Affected by Addition of Biochar [CD-ROM]. In: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts, Oct. 5-9, 2008, Houston, TX.

Technical Abstract: Nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are two major greenhouse gases that are emitted during agricultural and industrial activities. High concentrations of those gases in the stratospheric ozone layer are believed to be responsible for global climate change. Processing biomass by pyrolysis and returning the biochar co-product to the soil might be a potential way of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. We studied the effect of biochar addition to soils on rates of N2O and CO2 emissions during one-year soil column study. Four rates of biochar -- 0, 5, 10, and 20g kg-1 soil -- were applied to Clarion silty loam soils. Results showed that biochar addition reduced soil bulk density and nitrous oxide emissions while enhancing soil respiration and CO2 emissions.