The Biochar Demonstrator’s Post

It was a privilege to present summer data of my Master's research at the 2024 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The study focused on the impact of soil moisture (60%, 80%, 100% field capacity) and organic amendments (biochar and compost) on CO₂ and N₂O emissions over a 64-day incubation period. 📍Key findings include: -Control treatments showed the lowest emissions at 60% and 100% moisture. -Biochar at 100% moisture increased N₂O emissions, highlighting the importance of moisture in regulating emissions. -Compost reduced N₂O emissions and enhanced nitrogen cycling, especially at 60%-80% moisture. -Excessive moisture (100%) decreased microbial biomass, leading to increased emissions. -Control treatments had the highest microbial carbon use efficiency at 100% moisture. 👉This research offers valuable insights into optimizing agricultural practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you to everyone who visited my poster and provided helpful feedback! 🙏 I deeply appreciate the guidance, support, and motivation provided by my supervisor, Dr. Rajan Ghimire. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to work under your mentorship. 🙏 #greenhousegasemissions #soilhealth #biochar #sustainability

What would happen if, instead of producing more petrochemicals, we turned waste into raw materials for useful products? That’s what scientists across the country are working to do with help from Schmidt Sciences. Five teams of researchers from across the country will receive up to $47.3 million to study how to transform natural materials into energy, animal feed and other essential products. The teams will become part of the new Virtual Institute on Feedstocks of the Future (VIFF), a program of Schmidt Sciences and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research. VIFF will enhance collaboration across scientific and technological disciplines with the ultimate goal of transforming biomass—including byproducts from harvest, urban waste, seaweed and other material—into useful products in a circular, fossil-fuel-free economy. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eXfTXTUY (📸: Floating rafts of Sargassum in Puerto Rico. Credit: Loretta Roberson, Marine Biological Laboratory.)

Plastics in the environment can alter a wide range of biogeochemical cycles. Learn more in a new #SciencePerspective: https://scim.ag/8hT

In a paper published this month, researchers describe how biochar was added to a vineyard in Italy in 2009 and unearthed this year. The results, said the team, confirm the “permanent nature” of carbon storage in biochar, at least in that particular ecosystem and over that time frame. https://buff.ly/3Bhswsz

💫 Back from my travels and feeling inspired! I’ve had a glimpse into the future, exploring groundbreaking technologies and innovative products that are reshaping the market. The energy and creativity out there are truly motivating! SCS Formulate, Sustainable Chemicals Conference & Expo and Food ingredients Europe. 💥 Exciting news: Our landing page and explainer video is ready, and I absolutely love how it’s turned out! It captures the essence of what we do and where we’re headed. Check it out and let me know what you think! #SustainableChemicals #Bioeconomy #Biobased Royal Holloway, University of London Fraser Group Innovate UK ICURe The Helix Way

Lots of interesting presentations and discussions so far. New contacts made and knowledge shared. Always good to hear from the regulator particularly with the complexity of regulations that both WaSCs and farmers need to comply with but equally the regulator needs to enforce fairly. Mat Davis opening keynote presentation was interesting in terms of the Environment Agency's regulation, compliance and supported research into the use of sludge. With 3 rooms overflowing with centuries equivalent of knowledge and experience, there has been plenty to choose from. 'Road to net zero - intermediate thermal hydrolysis in large WWTP' presented very well by Ester Rus despite the rogue hieroglyphic translation in the PowerPoint. 'Agricultural use of Biosolids: farmer perspectives and environmental risk' presented by Joanna Cloy opened up the conversation around the presence of potential contaminants in biosolids such as PFAS, metals, pharmaceuticals and micro plastics. This was followed by an engaging presentation from Bill Barber 'comparing the carbon footprint of pyrolysis on PFAS removal to land application of Biosolids cake'. After a morning break, the presentations continued. A very topical presentation by Steve Bungay on 'Residual Biogas - what does good look like?' looked at the IED permit condition requirement to assess the stability of the digestion process to provide evidence that biogas emissions are minimised through an effective digestion process. Lunch offered the opportunity to network and catch up with existing clients and potential new ones. This was followed by two panel discussions - 1) 'The viability of sustaining recovery of biosolids to agriculture' and 2) another topical one 'A conversation about residual emissions', the latter highlighted the importance of sampling and analysis to gather key data on digester stability and the quality of digestate produced to contribute to an industry wide benchmarking exercise to determine whether there is a need for additional abatement to protect the environment. A packed day drew to a close with drinks and a further chance to network in the exhibition hall, before heading out to the Grand Pacific for the conference dinner. Looking forward to more interesting presentations tomorrow. With Gara Garcia Martin, Tom Batman, James A Newton, Philip Pedros, Nick Braithwaite, and Laura Fonseca #biosolidsconference #mottmac

🌎 #EarthDay compels us to extend our environmental stewardship beyond sample sites and into the laboratory. 🌲 ⚗ Green analytical chemistry offers a framework for minimizing the environmental impact of our analytical endeavors while ensuring the generation of robust data. Let's champion practices that reduce #waste, prioritize less #hazardous solvents, minimize exposure to #harmful reagents, and embrace miniaturized analyses. These cornerstones of green analytical chemistry are essential for more sustainable analytical procedures. By adopting these principles, we contribute to the goals of Earth Day and promote a more responsible approach to analytical analyses across all fields, from environmental, food, life, and clinical sciences. 🌎🔬 #EarthDay2024 #greenchemistry #miniaturization #environmentalsampling #sustainablelabs #samplepreparation

A few years ago in my group we started working and publishing on the possible impacts of bioplastics in terms of incomplete degradation and toxicity. As it often happens with sensible and economically relevant topics, we attracted some criticisms, when not direct attacks that we counteracted highlighting the correctness and the solidity of our own produced data. Now problematic evidence are raising more and more, such as the one hereby. This does not mean that bioplastics are not a solid alternative for many applications, but their risk assessment must be duly performed and implementation must be performed to produce safer products. Preventive denial in science never works. https://lnkd.in/dHxEKVZ9

🌿 Exciting insights into the world of clean energy! Explore the molecular science and engineering behind biomethane production in this thought-provoking blog by guest writer Frances Mak. Discover how wastewater treatment processes are paving the way for a more sustainable future. #CleanEnergy #Biomethane #Sustainability https://ow.ly/AxjX50PSnir..

🪴 Earthcare Solutions, LLC featured in Quantum's news. The first manure-based biochar facility to generate CDRs, lead by Mike McGolden and developed by GECA Environnement. In his usual fashion, Mike laid it out directly to Andy: ""The question is, what are you trying to accomplish? We're not developing projects simply so that we can sell carbon credits. The carbon credits are an integral part, but they're not the driving factor. We are eliminating environmental issues, we are eliminating nutrient run-off," McGolden said." Earthcare has over 9 units currently operating worldwide and 2 currently under construction or commissioning. See below the poultry manure biochar flow out! 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eSh2ch4s