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MBST
Biochar
Biochar is charcoal
created by pyrolysis of biomass. The resulting charcoal-like material
is a form of carbon capture and storage. Charcoal is a stable solid,
rich in carbon content, and thus, can be used to lock carbon in
the soil. Biochar is of increasing interest because of concerns
about climate change caused by emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)
and other greenhouse gases (GHG).
Biochar is a high-carbon, fine-grained residue which today is produced
through modern pyrolysis processes. Pyrolysis is the direct thermal
decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen to obtain an array
of solid (biochar), liquid (bio-oil) and gas (syngas) products.
Whats
so great about biochar?
MBST Biochar
is a dense, virtually inert carbon source providing nutrients and
shelter for the millions of microbes that inhabit soil. The physical
structure provides aeration for the soil and retains water. MBST
Biochar sequesters CO2, nitrous oxide and methane for thousands
of years thus reducing the carbon footprint of any environment where
used. MBST Biochar can be used in combination with MBST Extract
(biostimulants) in bioremediation programs.
MBST
Biochar production is designed as part of a comprehensive biomass
management program that can include yard waste, wood waste, mixed
food kitchen or commissary waste and other forms of biomass, reducing
land fill space demand.
Based
on the makeup of the biomass the pyrolysis operation can be energy
positive and carbon negative.
MBST
Biochar can be used alone worked into the soil, mixed with potting
or bedding soil or used as part of a soil less potting mix. When
mixed with MBST Compost the combination makes an excellent top dressing
for depleted soils.
MBST
products are chemical free, good for the environment and safe
for use around children and pets. |
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Definition
and historical data
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Biochar
used to be produced using centuries-old techniques by smoldering
biomass (i.e., covering burning biomass with soil and letting it
smolder). The ancient method for producing biochar as a soil additive
was the “pit” or “trench” method, which
created terra preta, or dark soil.[8]
Pre-Columbian
Amazonian Natives used biochar to enhance soil productivity and
made it by smoldering agricultural waste[6]. European settlers called
it Terra Preta de Indio.[7]
In
the pre-Columbian Amazon region, the common agricultural management
practice for the natives was slash and burn. Farming the rainforest
until they depleted the soil and then they would slash and burn
some more. When they began to slash and char instead they never
had to slash anymore. They were able to produce constantly on that
biochar enhanced land.
The
reason contemporary scientists began to look into biochar is because
they found it in the soil, 10,000 years after it was produced. They
were able to trace its production back to the pre-Columbian Amazon,
slash and char practice a practice that is over 10,000 years old.
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