IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v149y2021ics136403212100664x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Biochar for environmental sustainability in the energy-water-agroecosystem nexus

Author

Listed:
  • Malyan, Sandeep K.
  • Kumar, Smita S.
  • Fagodiya, Ram Kishor
  • Ghosh, Pooja
  • Kumar, Amit
  • Singh, Rajesh
  • Singh, Lakhveer

Abstract

Global warming, management of soil health, remediation of contaminated wastewater,and sustainable alternate source of energy are the major challenges of the 21st century. Biochar has an enormous potential in addressing these global issues and can act as a catalyst in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Biochar produced from waste biomass (crop residues, algal biomass, municipal waste, etc.) has dual advantages of waste management along with its application in different sectors. The mineral contents and buffering capacity of biochar make it an ultimate catalyst for anaerobic digestion which significantly enhances bioenergy production. Supplementing anaerobic digestion with biochar can increase biogas and biological hydrogen production up to 57% and 118% respectively, over control. Biochar addition to soil improves soil health, porosity and aeration which mitigates greenhouse gas emission from soil. Addition of biochar at the optimum level in rice can reduce cumulative methane emission up to 60%. In this manuscript, the potential of biochar for bioenergy production (biogas and biological hydrogen production), greenhouse gases mitigation, carbon sequestration in soils, and waste water remediation is discussed in detail along with the challenges and future prospects of biochar. This review identifies the key issues which need to be addressed for sustainable utilization of biochar.

Suggested Citation

  • Malyan, Sandeep K. & Kumar, Smita S. & Fagodiya, Ram Kishor & Ghosh, Pooja & Kumar, Amit & Singh, Rajesh & Singh, Lakhveer, 2021. "Biochar for environmental sustainability in the energy-water-agroecosystem nexus," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:149:y:2021:i:c:s136403212100664x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111379
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136403212100664X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111379?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shen, Yanwen & Linville, Jessica L. & Urgun-Demirtas, Meltem & Schoene, Robin P. & Snyder, Seth W., 2015. "Producing pipeline-quality biomethane via anaerobic digestion of sludge amended with corn stover biochar with in-situ CO2 removal," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 300-309.
    2. Yanan Xiao & Shihong Yang & Junzeng Xu & Jie Ding & Xiao Sun & Zewei Jiang, 2018. "Effect of Biochar Amendment on Methane Emissions from Paddy Field under Water-Saving Irrigation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Tripathi, Manoj & Sahu, J.N. & Ganesan, P., 2016. "Effect of process parameters on production of biochar from biomass waste through pyrolysis: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 467-481.
    4. Hameed, Zeeshan & Aslam, Muhammad & Khan, Zakir & Maqsood, Khuram & Atabani, A.E. & Ghauri, Moinuddin & Khurram, Muhammad Shahzad & Rehan, Mohammad & Nizami, Abdul-Sattar, 2021. "Gasification of municipal solid waste blends with biomass for energy production and resources recovery: Current status, hybrid technologies and innovative prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    5. Johannes Lehmann & John Gaunt & Marco Rondon, 2006. "Bio-char Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems – A Review," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 395-419, March.
    6. Yanbin Wang & Jian Lu & Jun Wu & Qing Liu & Hua Zhang & Song Jin, 2015. "Adsorptive Removal of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics Using Bamboo Biochar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-11, September.
    7. Farhat Abbas & Hafiz Mohkum Hammad & Farhat Anwar & Aitazaz Ahsan Farooque & Rashid Jawad & Hafiz Faiq Bakhat & Muhammad Asif Naeem & Sajjad Ahmad & Saeed Ahmad Qaisrani, 2021. "Transforming a Valuable Bioresource to Biochar, Its Environmental Importance, and Potential Applications in Boosting Circular Bioeconomy While Promoting Sustainable Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, March.
    8. Rodriguez Alonso, Elvira & Dupont, Capucine & Heux, Laurent & Da Silva Perez, Denilson & Commandre, Jean-Michel & Gourdon, Christophe, 2016. "Study of solid chemical evolution in torrefaction of different biomasses through solid-state 13C cross-polarization/magic angle spinning NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and TGA (thermogravimetric ana," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 381-390.
    9. Tyler M. Huggins & Albert Latorre & Justin C. Biffinger & Zhiyong Jason Ren, 2016. "Biochar Based Microbial Fuel Cell for Enhanced Wastewater Treatment and Nutrient Recovery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-10, February.
    10. Salimi, Pejman & Norouzi, Omid & Pourhoseini, S.E.M. & Bartocci, Pietro & Tavasoli, Ahmad & Di Maria, Francesco & Pirbazari, S.M. & Bidini, Gianni & Fantozzi, Francesco, 2019. "Magnetic biochar obtained through catalytic pyrolysis of macroalgae: A promising anode material for Li-ion batteries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 704-714.
    11. Masebinu, S.O. & Akinlabi, E.T. & Muzenda, E. & Aboyade, A.O., 2019. "A review of biochar properties and their roles in mitigating challenges with anaerobic digestion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 291-307.
    12. Roy, Poritosh & Dias, Goretty, 2017. "Prospects for pyrolysis technologies in the bioenergy sector: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 59-69.
    13. Song, Jinghui & Wang, Ying & Zhang, Siqi & Song, Yanling & Xue, Shengrong & Liu, Le & Lvy, Xingang & Wang, Xiaojiao & Yang, Gaihe, 2021. "Coupling biochar with anaerobic digestion in a circular economy perspective: A promising way to promote sustainable energy, environment and agriculture development in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    14. Yang Wen & Kai He & Yujie Zhu & Fudong Han & Yunhua Xu & Isamu Matsuda & Yoshitaka Ishii & John Cumings & Chunsheng Wang, 2014. "Expanded graphite as superior anode for sodium-ion batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, September.
    15. Kumar, Smita S. & Kumar, Vivek & Kumar, Ritesh & Malyan, Sandeep K. & Bishnoi, Narsi R., 2019. "Ferrous sulfate as an in-situ anodic coagulant for enhanced bioelectricity generation and COD removal from landfill leachate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 570-581.
    16. Li, Yue & Chen, Yinguang & Wu, Jiang, 2019. "Enhancement of methane production in anaerobic digestion process: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 120-137.
    17. Qambrani, Naveed Ahmed & Rahman, Md. Mukhlesur & Won, Seunggun & Shim, Soomin & Ra, Changsix, 2017. "Biochar properties and eco-friendly applications for climate change mitigation, waste management, and wastewater treatment: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 255-273.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Farman Wali & Shahid Sardar & Muhammad Naveed & Muhammad Asif & Mohammad Tahsin Karimi Nezhad & Khurram Shehzad Baig & Mohsin Bashir & Adnan Mustafa, 2022. "Effect of Consecutive Application of Phosphorus-Enriched Biochar with Different Levels of P on Growth Performance of Maize for Two Successive Growing Seasons," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
    2. María Alejandra Décima & Simone Marzeddu & Margherita Barchiesi & Camilla Di Marcantonio & Agostina Chiavola & Maria Rosaria Boni, 2021. "A Review on the Removal of Carbamazepine from Aqueous Solution by Using Activated Carbon and Biochar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-50, October.
    3. Aliou Faye & Zachary P. Stewart & Khady Diome & Calys-Tagoe Edward & Dioumacor Fall & Désiré Komla Kyky Ganyo & Tobi Moriaque Akplo & P. V. Vara Prasad, 2021. "Single Application of Biochar Increases Fertilizer Efficiency, C Sequestration, and pH over the Long-Term in Sandy Soils of Senegal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Eric N. Coker & Xavier Lujan-Flores & Burl Donaldson & Nadir Yilmaz & Alpaslan Atmanli, 2023. "An Assessment of the Conversion of Biomass and Industrial Waste Products to Activated Carbon," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Ram K. Fagodiya & Sandeep K. Malyan & Devendra Singh & Amit Kumar & Rajender K. Yadav & Parbodh C. Sharma & Himanshu Pathak, 2022. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Salt-Affected Soils: Mechanistic Understanding of Interplay Factors and Reclamation Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
    6. Yoshinori Mizuno & Ahmad Guji Yahaya & Jaroslav Kristof & Marius Gabriel Blajan & Eizo Murakami & Kazuo Shimizu, 2022. "Ozone Catalytic Oxidation for Gaseous Dimethyl Sulfide Removal by Using Vacuum-Ultra-Violet Lamp and Impregnated Activated Carbon," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, May.
    7. Xia, Longlong & Chen, Wenhao & Lu, Bufan & Wang, Shanshan & Xiao, Lishan & Liu, Beibei & Yang, Hongqiang & Huang, Chu-Long & Wang, Hongtao & Yang, Yang & Lin, Litao & Zhu, Xiangdong & Chen, Wei-Qiang , 2023. "Climate mitigation potential of sustainable biochar production in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    8. Ngoc-Dan Cao, Thanh & Mukhtar, Hussnain & Yu, Chang-Ping & Bui, Xuan-Thanh & Pan, Shu-Yuan, 2022. "Agricultural waste-derived biochar in microbial fuel cells towards a carbon-negative circular economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    9. Balázs Grosz & Björn Kemmann & Stefan Burkart & Søren O. Petersen & Reinhard Well, 2022. "Understanding the Impact of Liquid Organic Fertilisation and Associated Application Techniques on N 2 , N 2 O and CO 2 Fluxes from Agricultural Soils," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-20, May.
    10. Chi Wu & Lan Zhang & Liangang Mao & Lizhen Zhu & Yanning Zhang & Hongyun Jiang & Yongquan Zheng & Xingang Liu, 2022. "Efficiency of Four Extraction Methods to Assess the Bioavailability of Oxyfluorfen to Earthworms in Soil Amended with Fresh and Aged Biochar," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-12, May.
    11. Cristiano Maboni & Tiago Bremm & Leonardo José Gonçalves Aguiar & Walkyria Bueno Scivittaro & Vanessa de Arruda Souza & Hans Rogério Zimermann & Claudio Alberto Teichrieb & Pablo Eli Soares de Oliveir, 2021. "The Fallow Period Plays an Important Role in Annual CH 4 Emission in a Rice Paddy in Southern Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-19, October.
    12. Teddy Ireen Kantoro Mathabatha & Anthony Njuguna Matheri & Mohamed Belaid, 2023. "Peanut Shell-Derived Biochar as a Low-Cost Adsorbent to Extract Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Copper, and Zinc (Heavy Metals) from Wastewater: Circular Economy Approach," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    13. Yan-Ning Liu & Li-Yuan He, 2021. "Effects of Alkali-Activated Algae Biochar on Soil Improvement after Phosphorus Absorption: Efficiency and Mechanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-9, October.
    14. Xiaoshu Wang & Zheng Yan & Lingchao Song & Yangyang Wang & Jia Zhu & Nan Xu & Jinsheng Wang & Ming Chang & Lei Wang, 2021. "Preparation and Characterization of Cattail -Derived Biochar and Its Application for Cadmium Removal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kung, Chih-Chun & Mu, Jianhong E., 2019. "Prospect of China's renewable energy development from pyrolysis and biochar applications under climate change," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Mosleh Uddin, Md & Wen, Zhiyou & Mba Wright, Mark, 2022. "Techno-economic and environmental impact assessment of using corn stover biochar for manure derived renewable natural gas production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    3. Kumar, A. Naresh & Dissanayake, Pavani Dulanja & Masek, Ondrej & Priya, Anshu & Ki Lin, Carol Sze & Ok, Yong Sik & Kim, Sang-Hyoun, 2021. "Recent trends in biochar integration with anaerobic fermentation: Win-win strategies in a closed-loop," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    4. Tayibi, S. & Monlau, F. & Bargaz, A. & Jimenez, R. & Barakat, A., 2021. "Synergy of anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis processes for sustainable waste management: A critical review and future perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    5. Zhang, Zhikun & Zhu, Zongyuan & Shen, Boxiong & Liu, Lina, 2019. "Insights into biochar and hydrochar production and applications: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 581-598.
    6. Chiappero, Marco & Norouzi, Omid & Hu, Mingyu & Demichelis, Francesca & Berruti, Franco & Di Maria, Francesco & Mašek, Ondřej & Fiore, Silvia, 2020. "Review of biochar role as additive in anaerobic digestion processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    7. Qiu, L. & Deng, Y.F. & Wang, F. & Davaritouchaee, M. & Yao, Y.Q., 2019. "A review on biochar-mediated anaerobic digestion with enhanced methane recovery," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    8. Wu, Benteng & Lin, Richen & O'Shea, Richard & Deng, Chen & Rajendran, Karthik & Murphy, Jerry D., 2021. "Production of advanced fuels through integration of biological, thermo-chemical and power to gas technologies in a circular cascading bio-based system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    9. Liu, Zhongzhe & Singer, Simcha & Tong, Yiran & Kimbell, Lee & Anderson, Erik & Hughes, Matthew & Zitomer, Daniel & McNamara, Patrick, 2018. "Characteristics and applications of biochars derived from wastewater solids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 650-664.
    10. Khushbu Kumari & Raushan Kumar & Nirmali Bordoloi & Tatiana Minkina & Chetan Keswani & Kuldeep Bauddh, 2023. "Unravelling the Recent Developments in the Production Technology and Efficient Applications of Biochar for Agro-Ecosystems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-26, February.
    11. Andrew N. Amenaghawon & Chinedu L. Anyalewechi & Charity O. Okieimen & Heri Septya Kusuma, 2021. "Biomass pyrolysis technologies for value-added products: a state-of-the-art review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(10), pages 14324-14378, October.
    12. Feng, Qunjie & Lin, Yunqin, 2017. "Integrated processes of anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis for higher bioenergy recovery from lignocellulosic biomass: A brief review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1272-1287.
    13. Kung, Chih-Chun & Lan, Xiaolong & Yang, Yunxia & Kung, Shan-Shan & Chang, Meng-Shiuh, 2022. "Effects of green bonds on Taiwan's bioenergy development," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PA).
    14. Simone Marzeddu & Andrea Cappelli & Andrea Ambrosio & María Alejandra Décima & Paolo Viotti & Maria Rosaria Boni, 2021. "A Life Cycle Assessment of an Energy-Biochar Chain Involving a Gasification Plant in Italy," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-29, November.
    15. Musa Manga & Christian Aragón-Briceño & Panagiotis Boutikos & Swaib Semiyaga & Omotunde Olabinjo & Chimdi C. Muoghalu, 2023. "Biochar and Its Potential Application for the Improvement of the Anaerobic Digestion Process: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-23, May.
    16. Marcin Sajdak & Roksana Muzyka & Grzegorz Gałko & Ewelina Ksepko & Monika Zajemska & Szymon Sobek & Dariusz Tercki, 2022. "Actual Trends in the Usability of Biochar as a High-Value Product of Biomass Obtained through Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-30, December.
    17. Shihong Yang & Xi Chen & Zewei Jiang & Jie Ding & Xiao Sun & Junzeng Xu, 2020. "Effects of Biochar Application on Soil Organic Carbon Composition and Enzyme Activity in Paddy Soil under Water-Saving Irrigation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-17, January.
    18. Masebinu, S.O. & Akinlabi, E.T. & Muzenda, E. & Aboyade, A.O., 2019. "A review of biochar properties and their roles in mitigating challenges with anaerobic digestion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 291-307.
    19. Radheshyam Yadav & Wusirika Ramakrishna, 2023. "Biochar as an Environment-Friendly Alternative for Multiple Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
    20. Chang, Boon Peng & Rodriguez-Uribe, Arturo & Mohanty, Amar K. & Misra, Manjusri, 2021. "A comprehensive review of renewable and sustainable biosourced carbon through pyrolysis in biocomposites uses: Current development and future opportunity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:149:y:2021:i:c:s136403212100664x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.