Analysis of Biochar's Carbon Sequestration and Mitigation Potential and Its Agricultural Effects

Wang Fei(Yongfeng Biological Fertilizer Co., LTD.)
Wang Jian(Yongfeng Biological Fertilizer Co., LTD.)
Wang Jia(Zhengzhou Zhituo Biotechnology Co., LTD.)
Li Fangfang(Zhengzhou Zhituo Biotechnology Co., LTD.)
Zhang Hongrui(Hainan Tianhu Application Technology Co., LTD.)
Wang Yuqian(Hainan Tianhu Application Technology Co., LTD.)
Zheng zhou(Hainan Tianhu Application Technology Co., LTD.)

Abstract

Climate change mitigation demands scalable, stable strategies for drawing down atmospheric carbon, and biochar—produced via pyrolysis of agricultural and forestry residues—has emerged as a particularly promising solution for simultaneously sequestering carbon and improving soil fertility. In this review, we first summarize biochar production methods and key physicochemical properties, then employ a soil carbon stock calculation framework, complemented by life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas fluxes during production, transport, and field application, to quantify both global and regional sequestration potentials. Drawing on over fifty field trials, we further evaluate the impact of biochar amendment (10–20 t ha⁻¹) on soil organic carbon, nutrient availability, and crop yields across tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. Our analysis indicates that converting approximately 23 Gt of annual biomass residues into biochar could sequester roughly 2.0 Gt CO₂-eq per year, with net greenhouse gas mitigation between 0.20 and 0.32 t CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ depending on feedstock and transport distance. Field data reveal SOC increases of 25–55% and cereal yield gains of 20–25%. These findings demonstrate that biochar amendment delivers significant agronomic and climate benefits, offering a robust, region-specific foundation for designing carbon credit mechanisms and extension programs that align food security with carbon-drawdown goals.

Keywords

Biochar; Carbon Sequestration and Emission Reduction; Agricultural Effects; Soil Improvement; Greenhouse Gas Reduction; Author Profile: Wang Fei (born December 1971), male, Han ethnicity, native of Nanbu County, Sichuan Province, holds a Master's degree a

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26549/jsbe.v8i1.35639