New research from Northwest A&F University shows that biochar can create chemical hotspots in soil that may increase nitrous oxide emissions. The study finds that the temperature used during pyrolysis changes the size of particles released, which in turn alters the chemical reactions in the soil. These findings suggest that biochar produced at 300C and 500C can reduce the effectiveness of greenhouse gas mitigation by roughly 22 to 28 percent. This highlights the need for precise production standards to ensure biochar actually delivers its promised climate benefits.
