Background
Pyrogenic carbon capture and storage (PyCCS) is one of the very few and fast ways to generate the negative CO₂ emissions needed to limit global warming.

Biochar applied to soil contributes to soil carbon storage due to its high stability, and it can furthermore improve soil fertility. Biochars may also reduce leaching of contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and nitrate to surface- and groundwaters due to their sorption capacity and catalytic properties, thus contributing to a more sustainable agriculture. Currently, the pyrolysis industry is still in its infancy in Denmark, and there is no societal framework ready for the implementation of the PyCCS technology.

Objectives
The project will investigate carbon stability and agroecosystem and groundwater quality effects of soil amendment with high doses of a range of biochars from relevant Danish biomasses produced by Danish technology providers. The outcome of the project will help to pave the way for large scale implementation of PyCCS in Denmark and to promote pyrolysis technology development, especially by defining the biochar characteristics needed for a successful implementation in the agricultural sector.

In addition, the project will contribute directly to the development of the regulatory frameworks around near-future implementation of large-scale PyCCS in Denmark.

Expected results

1. Characterize biochar across different biomasses and temperature profiles.
2. Assess biochar carbon stability using different relevant biochar/soil combinations and isotopically labelled biochar.
3. Assess effects of different biochars on soil hydraulic properties and crop drought resilience.
4. Develop a field experimental platform exploring biochar effects on contaminant bonding, transformation, leaching, and groundwater quality.
5. Disseminate knowledge around production and use of biochar as a climate change mitigation option and establish framework conditions for use hereof in key organizational structures within regulation and governance.
6. Assess climate change mitigation potential of specific types of biochar production and use in a Danish context on various scales from local project to national scale.