Biochar Research and a Case Study in Kansas

Abstract

As planet Earth's sustainability has become a foremost issue, different methods of prolonging sustainability have become prevalent in society, most prominently are alternative forms of energy and ways to help reduce the human impact on the environment. Another alternative that has become popular, mostly in the last decade, stems from decades of research conducted on ancient soils of the world, predominantly in the Amazon basin, soils of incredible fertility and mysterious properties that leave soil scientists wondering. The factor of greatest importance to these soils has been identified and termed biochar, the carbon remains of partially burned organic material. Biochar is now believed to have the potential not only help provide sustainability through fertile soils but also by providing relief from of the greatest threats to life on earth. This thesis will provide an outline of why biochar research is important, discuss all viable potentials for biochar and include the details and results of a case study in Kansas.