Burning biochar does release carbon dioxide.
When biochar, which is primarily composed of carbon, is burned, it reacts with oxygen in the air to produce carbon dioxide and water.
This process is similar to the combustion of other carbon-based materials like wood or coal.
Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating biomass (like wood, agricultural waste, or animal manure) in a process called pyrolysis, which occurs in the absence of oxygen.
This process converts the biomass into biochar, bio-oil, and gases including methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
The biochar produced is stable and can store carbon for long periods, which is why it is often used for carbon sequestration and improving soil fertility.
However, when biochar is burned, the carbon it contains is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
This is because the burning process involves the oxidation of carbon to form carbon dioxide.
The reference provided mentions that burning charcoal (a type of biochar) produces carbon dioxide and water, as charcoal is mainly pure carbon.
This combustion process is efficient and produces less smoke compared to burning wood, but it still results in the emission of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
In summary, while biochar is beneficial for carbon sequestration when added to soil, its direct combustion as a fuel releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
This highlights the importance of using biochar responsibly and considering alternative uses that maximize its carbon storage potential.
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