HISTORY OF BIOCHAR

History of Biochar

The history of biochar stretches back thousands of years, with origins rooted in ancient agricultural practices. The concept of biochar was first realized in the rich black soils known as "Terra Preta" (Portuguese for "black earth") in the Amazon Basin, created by Indigenous peoples over 2,500 years ago. These soils, still fertile today, were enhanced with charred organic matter, animal bones, and other organic wastes. This early use of biochar helped increase soil fertility, retain nutrients, and boost agricultural productivity, even in the often nutrient-poor soils of the Amazon.

The term "biochar" itself is relatively new and gained prominence only in recent decades. Modern scientific interest in biochar began to take shape in the 20th century as scientists investigated Terra Preta to understand its unusual fertility and stability. Research suggested that charred organic matter contributed to the high carbon content and enhanced nutrient retention in these soils, which resisted decomposition and thus helped sequester carbon for long periods.

Interest in biochar expanded significantly in the early 2000s as concerns over climate change and soil degradation grew. Scientists proposed biochar as a method of carbon sequestration, due to its ability to lock carbon in a stable form that can persist in soils for hundreds to thousands of years. Unlike other forms of organic matter, which decompose and release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, biochar remains stable and slowly improves soil properties.

Today, biochar research spans several fields, including soil science, environmental chemistry, and carbon management. Researchers are investigating biochar's role in climate change mitigation, its potential to improve soil health, its role in waste management, and its benefits in water purification and pollution control. Key developments include understanding the relationship between production conditions (such as pyrolysis temperature) and biochar's properties, which affect its stability and effectiveness in sequestering carbon.

In modern applications, biochar is also recognized for its use in the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) industry, where it is increasingly viewed as a reliable, measurable, and verifiable method of long-term carbon storage.