John M Lessells Travel Grant. Analysing the environmental stability of biochar. Kyle Crombie. University of Edinburgh UK Biochar Research Centre

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1 John M Lessells Travel Grant Analysing the environmental stability of biochar Kyle Crombie University of Edinburgh UK Biochar Research Centre

2 Special properties (nutrient and water retention, ph, surface area, labile C etc.) lead to improved soil fertility Gas and liquid co-products provide heat and power generation Long term storage of carbon from the atmosphere Pyrolysis from any organic material including virgin and non-virgin materials

3 Cornell Project Limited literature on soil functional properties of biochar Particular focus on the environmental stability of biochar Biochar stability is currently estimated based on biochar composition No consideration of breakdown in soil Long term field trials not an option New analytical tool developed by UKBRC to analyse the environmental stability of biochar Edinburgh Stability tool Improve calibration of stability tool through data collection Lehmann biochar group has access to large biochar collection Chance to analyse collection without time consuming process of biochar production Lehmann biochar group is world renowned Several key researchers in the field of biochar Prof Johannes Lehmann

4 John M Lessells Travel Grant Awarded 2,500 Travel and Fees Flights, Visa, University etc Accommodation 2 months 1000 Materials and Analysis Hydrogen Peroxide, Total C analysis 500

5 Cornell University 1 of 8 Ivy league schools Harvard, Yale, Princeton etc. Founded 1865 Ranked 18 th in the World and 13 th in US Ithaca population 30,300 people 20,000 students 4,800 acres

6 Lehmann Group Charchival Dept. of Crop and Soil Science Bradfield Hall Charcilator

7 Edinburgh Stability Tool Developed by Dr Andrew Cross and Dr Saran Sohi, UKBRC Thermal chemical oxidation of biochar to simulate rapid environmental ageing and therefore assess char stability Char (0.1g of C) oxidised with H 2 O 2 at 80 o C /2 days and dried at 105 o C /1 day Measure of total C before and after procedure to determine loss of carbon Stable-C%: Amount of C still present after roughly 100 years 85 different sample analysed in triplicate = 255 separate tests Pine, Oak, Hazelnut, Paper waste, Poultry waste, Bull manure etc.

8 Stable-C [% C in Char] Stable C Yield [Feed wt.%] Biochar Cornell Stability Outcome USA Thanks Stability Results Pine Oak HN CS PW PM BM DM DD Rising temperature forces more volatile matter out of the char as liquid and gas products Leads to development of more aromatic structure increasing stability The majority of samples show small variation in stable C yield over temperature range Allows for added value by optimising other factors at higher temperatures while sequestering similar C% Increased energy benefits through liquid and gas fractions Hazelnut (HN), Corn Stalks (CS), Paper Waste (PW), Poultry Manure (PM), Bull Manure (BM), Dairy Manure (DM), Digested Dairy (DD)

9 Outcome of the Project PhD Strengthen related chapters within my thesis without time consuming biochar production Comparable results for UK and US biochar samples Advice of accomplished researchers UKBRC Greatly increased the data collection for the stability tool which will aid in the procedure calibration Knowledge gained about the Lehmann group research focus to avoid repetitive work Chance for future collaborations Future Career Potential for joint publication with leading experts in biochar research Biochar credentials have been substantially improved through the friends and contacts I ve made Personal Wonderful experience to travel and live in New York State Chance to study at a world renowned University

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12 Acknowledgments Royal Society of Edinburgh Lehmann Research Group Johannes Lehmann Akio Enders Kelly Hanley COIL Cornell University Stable Isotope Lab All those I met while in Ithaca who made my time there very enjoyable

13 Thanks for listening! Questions