Sustainable Approach and Safe Use of Biochar and Its Possible Consequences

Hanuman Singh Jatav, Vishnu D. Rajput, Tatiana Minkina, Satish Kumar Singh, Sukirtee Chejara, Andrey Gorovtsov, Anatoly Barakhov, Tatiana Bauer, Svetlana Sushkova, Saglara Mandzhieva, Marina Burachevskaya and Valery P. Kalinitchenko
Additional contact information
Hanuman Singh Jatav: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University-Jobner, Jobner 303329, India
Vishnu D. Rajput: Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Tatiana Minkina: Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Satish Kumar Singh: Department of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
Sukirtee Chejara: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University, Hissar 125004, India
Andrey Gorovtsov: Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Anatoly Barakhov: Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Tatiana Bauer: Federal Research Center The Southern Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 344006 Moscow, Russia
Svetlana Sushkova: Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Saglara Mandzhieva: Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Marina Burachevskaya: Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Valery P. Kalinitchenko: Institute of Fertility of Soils of South Russia, 346493 Rostov-on-Don, Russia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-22

Abstract: Biochar is considered as a potential substitute for soil organic matter (SOM). Considering the importance of biochar, the present review is based on the different benefits and potential risks of the application of biochar to the soil. Biochar addition to low organic carbon soils can act as a feasible solution to keep soil biologically active for the cycling of different nutrients. The application of biochar could improve soil fertility, increase crop yield, enhance plant growth and microbial abundance, and immobilize different contaminants in the soil. It could also be helpful in carbon sequestration and the return of carbon stock back to the soil in partially combusted form. Due to the large surface area of biochar, which generally depends upon the types of feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, it helps to reduce the leaching of fertilizers from the soil and supplies additional nutrients to growing crops. However, biochar may have some adverse effects due to emissions during the pyrolysis process, but it exerts a positive priming effect (a phenomenon in which subjection to one stimulus positively influences subsequent stimulus) on SOM decomposition, depletion of nutrients (macro- and micro-) via strong adsorption, and impact on soil physicochemical properties. In view of the above importance and limitations, all possible issues related to biochar application should be considered. The review presents extensive detailed information on the sustainable approach for the environmental use of biochar and its limitations.

Keywords: carbonaceous sorbent; contaminants; human health; nutrients; pyrolysis; soil properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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