Biochar application to temperate grasslands: challenges and opportunities for delivering multiple ecosystem services

Abstract

Grasslands (natural, semi-natural and improved) occupy approximately one-third of the terrestrial biosphere and are key for global ecosystem service provision, storing up to 30% of soil organic carbon (SOC). To date, most research on soil carbon (C) sequestration has focused on croplands where the levels of native soil organic matter (SOM) are typically low and significant potential exists to replenish SOM stocks. However, with the renewed push to achieve “net zero” C emissions by 2050, grasslands may offer an additional C store, utilising tools such as biochar. Here, we critically evaluate the potential for biochar as a technology for increasing grassland C stocks, identifying a number of practical, economic, social and legislative challenges that need to be addressed before the widescale adoption of biochar may be achieved. We critically assess the current knowledge within the field of grassland biochar research in the context of ecosystem service provision and provide opinions on the applicability of biochar as an amendment to different types of grassland (improved, semi-improved and unimproved) and the potential effect on ecosystem provision using a range of application techniques in the topsoil and subsoil. We concluded that the key question remains, is it possible for managed grasslands to store more C, without causing a loss in additional ecosystem services? To address this question future research must take a more multidisciplinary and holistic approach when evaluating the potential role of biochar at sequestering C in grasslands to mitigate climate change. Graphical Abstract

Natural fermentation of plant tissues as environmental remediation materials to improve soil and enhance plant resistance to cadmium stress

“…We found that the soil pH under different concentration Cd treatments did vary significantly for using the GPE Jiaosu and Jiaosu residue. Meanwhile, the application of GPE Jiaosu and Jiaosu residue modified the basic soil property, including the contents of SOC, TN, AN, and TP, when exposed to different levels of Cd stresses, which was similar to the effect of biochar and compost on soil fertility (Brown et al 2023;Huo et al 2023).…”

“…The strategies and application advantages of using fermented products for solving the two major problems (agricultural and forestry wastes as well as phytoremediation of heavy metal pollution) faced by current environmental improvement and agricultural and forestry development. Brown et al 2023). Therefore, if we can explore some substances or materials to remedy the soil avoiding or alleviating above disadvantages, it will be important, necessary, and urgent for soil improvement.…”

Linking Migraine to Gut Dysbiosis and Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases

“…Mutations involving genes responsible for producing DAO (AOC1 on chromosome 7) can increase the susceptibility to histamine-intolerance development [218]. Some drugs, including NSAIDS, antidepressants, immunomodulators, antiarrhythmics, and other substances (e.g., acetylcysteine, clavulan acid, metoclopramide, and verapamil), may decrease the threshold of tolerance to histamines [219]. Alcohol consumption, in particular, red wine, is a powerful inhibitor of DAO because it also contains, in addition to high levels of histamine, other classes of biogenic amines, such as tyramine and sulfites, which compete with the histamine for binding to the active site of the enzyme [220].…”

Methyl Orange Adsorption on Biochar Obtained from Prosopis juliflora Waste: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Study

“…Comparing the q max = 8.08 mg/g obtained for PWJ biochar with typical reports for active carbon, clays, and nanoparticles of composites, the value reported herein is small. However, the biochar adsorbents obtained from waste contribute to reducing the bio-accumulate process in the environment [44] and offer an alternative for carbon storage [94].…”