Turning Waste into Soil Conditioner with a Sustainable Innovative Approach: Biochar

Abstract

Globally, the increase in population density, various epidemics (COVID-19, SARS, MERS, etc.), climate change, global warming, and the reduction of arable land have caused damage to the ecosystem. Quality soil is the most important factor that has a direct impact on safe food and a clean environment. Different pollutant loads, microbiological activities, climatic and topographic conditions, and current land use can change the properties of the soil. In recent years, fertile agricultural lands have been used in the construction industry. This situation explains the inadequacy between population growth and food supply. Both polluting parameters and non-purpose uses negatively affect soil quality, and alternative solutions are sought for this. One of these solutions is the application of various additives to the soil. Among these substances, biochar is a widely used additive in agricultural production, soil quality improvement, and pollutant treatment in water and soil environments. It is a carbon-rich product formed by the pyrolysis method of biochar, food, and agricultural wastes in an oxygen-free environment at ≥250 °C. In this study, current research is examined to explain the interaction of soil quality with biochar. The biochar materials used, the production conditions, and the three-step reaction in the soil were examined. This study summarizes the recent developments in the soil quality of biochar with a porous structure and high specific surface area.

Keywords

• biochar
• food waste
• soil quality
• soil conditioner