Environmental performance and techno-economic feasibility of different biochar applications: An overview

Abstract

Biochar has a broad application owning to its physicochemical properties and low cost by origin (by-products or generated from waste). Wide research attention received is the application to the soil as carbon sequestration. In contrast to the efficiency evaluation, the overall cost feasibility and environmental performance of the application still deserves broader analysis and discussion. This study aims to enumerate the advantages, and potential drawbacks of the different applications, in term of cost and the environmental footprints. The other alternatives (e.g. the conventional methods) in achieving the same purpose are compared. Special attention is given to the application of biochar to the soil as carbon sequestration. This study could serve as a guideline in evaluating the pros and cons of biochar application to ensure the unburdening footprints can offset the burdening footprint associated with the generation and other downstream processes towards sustainability.