Researchers found that straw-derived biochar enhances maize biomass by up to 30% and improves nitrogen use efficiency under limited-water conditions. Alternate partial root-zone drying irrigation also stimulates soil microbes to release nutrients, promoting deeper and more efficient root systems.
Researchers have developed magnetic carbon adsorbents made from flax shives and eucalyptus sawdust to effectively remove toxic chemicals like pentachlorophenol from water. The materials demonstrated outstanding performance in removing up to 95% of PCP, showing excellent stability and minimal loss of performance.
A new study found that different types of char can raise or lower greenhouse gas emissions from northern soils. Biochar tends to increase nitrous oxide emissions, while hydrochar suppresses it and even turns the soil into a small sink.
Researchers have discovered how to convert discarded plastics into valuable carbon-based materials, including graphene, nanotubes, and porous carbon. These materials show promise for use in environmental remediation, batteries, and supercapacitors.
Researchers found that plant roots can actively absorb CO₂ from the soil, with this process influenced by light, fertilizer, and atmospheric conditions. Root-based CO₂ absorption may be an alternative carbon nutrition pathway.
A team of scientists introduces a nature-based solution to tackle global soil pollution by harnessing microbes and iron minerals. Microbial iron mining removes toxic substances like heavy metals and organic pollutants, transforming them into less hazardous forms.
Researchers have developed biochar-supported microbial systems to tackle persistent organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides. These integrated strategies have achieved impressive results, breaking down pollutants in industrial wastewater, agricultural soils, and domestic environments.
Researchers found that terrestrial-derived organic matter, primarily lignin, fuels microbial reactions leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. However, as salinity increases upon approaching the sea, microbial activity slows down, reducing emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Researchers developed a dual-breakthrough method to recycle phosphorus from sewage sludge into smart fertilizers, enhancing soil health or rapid crop growth. The innovative approach utilizes modified hydrochar with calcium or magnesium salts, controlling phosphorus release and improving its bioavailability.
A new review highlights how exogenous phytohormones can strengthen sugarcane's ability to cope with both drought and waterlogging. Emerging technologies like robotic systems and nanotechnology are being developed to deliver hormones precisely when and where they are needed.
Researchers found that carefully managed applications of woody biochar significantly improved soil quality, crop yield, and carbon balance in red pepper fields. Optimal biochar application levels ranged from 7 to 11 metric tons per hectare when crop residues were removed after harvest.
A new study by Dr. Hannah Alexis Melquiades Asilo and her team at the University of the Philippines Tacloban College reveals that mangroves store up to four times more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests, challenging reforestation assumptions and highlighting the importance of afforestation strategies.
Researchers discovered that nano-biochar acts as an electron shuttle, transforming silver ions into metallic nanoparticles in rice roots. The process reduces the toxicity of silver ions while promoting their formation and accumulation inside plant cells.
Prof. Salah Jellali will present his pioneering work on nutrient-enriched biochar, a sustainable solution transforming agricultural residues into powerful eco-fertilizers. His innovation leverages wastewater and mineral waste streams to create high-performance soil enhancers improving crop yields while closing resource loops.
A new study finds that rewetting peat soils with biochar reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 18% and improves crop yields. The addition of biochar further decreases emissions, while stabilizing soil carbon and promoting a diverse microbial community.
A machine learning model developed by Dr. Lan Mu's team at Tianjin University of Commerce predicts biochar yield and nutrient content with stunning accuracy, unlocking smart soil solutions for healthier soils, cleaner ecosystems, and smarter farming.
Researchers have developed a new biochar-enhanced cement that can capture and store more carbon dioxide while strengthening the material. The sedimented particles in alkali-modified biochar had a greater ability to trap CO2, improving both mechanical strength and carbon sequestration.
Researchers developed a clean process to transform microalgae and agricultural residues into biofuels, bio-adsorbents, and fluorescent carbon nanodots. The study offers a sustainable way to reuse biomass resources, contributing to renewable energy production and environmental protection.
A new analytical framework separates how nitrogen moves through three key hydrological pathways—surface flow, subsurface flow, and baseflow—and found that each pathway behaves differently across landscapes and seasons. The study offers crucial guidance for policymakers to adapt strategies to reduce nitrogen loss.
A new meta-analysis of 125 studies reveals that adding biochar to composting systems boosts compost quality and slashes harmful greenhouse gas emissions by up to 51%. Biochar improves aeration, holds nutrients, and creates a favorable habitat for beneficial microbes, accelerating the composting process.
A recent study suggests that combining rewetting with biochar and iron sulphate additions can significantly slow down carbon loss from drained agricultural peat soils. This combination enhances carbon storage by suppressing soil enzymes and promoting the formation of iron-bound carbon compounds.
Researchers found that biochar improves soil health by increasing microbial diversity, capturing carbon, and enhancing nutrient cycling. Biochar acts as a long-lasting carbon sink, storing carbon for hundreds to thousands of years.
A team of Chinese researchers has developed a low-cost biochar material that efficiently removes persistent metal complexes from water. The ferromanganese oxide-modified biochar can capture copper–citrate complexes, which are difficult to remove using conventional methods, achieving high removal rates and chemical stability.
Scientists developed a novel catalyst system that can generate hydrogen from methane at lower temperatures while minimizing carbon buildup. The breakthrough achieved high methane conversion rates and demonstrated remarkable stability, pointing to cheaper and greener production methods for clean transportation and industrial processes.
A new study found that combining reduced nitrogen fertilizer with nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar enhances soil properties and crop performance in nitrogen-deficient soils. The treatment increased soil moisture, infiltration rate, and aggregate stability by up to 42 percent compared to conventional fertilization.
Researchers found that biochar can dramatically reduce erosion by 45% and improve soil's ability to store water, even under intense rainstorms. Biochar also improved soil structure and increased infiltration, making vineyard soils more resilient to extreme weather.
Researchers used boron isotope fingerprinting to study how boron moves within dissolving glass. They found that diffusion through an altered surface layer becomes a key mechanism controlling the release of boron from glass over time.
A new study published in Agricultural Ecology and Environment found that the rhizosphere, surrounding plant roots, is a hotspot for manure-derived antibiotic resistance genes. Crop root chemistry plays a crucial role in how these genes are transferred to plants, with leafy vegetables accumulating more ARGs than fruit-bearing crops.
A new study explores how combining biochar with rhizoremediation can greatly enhance soil restoration by breaking down pollutants. Biochar creates a thriving environment where plants and microbes work together to clean the soil naturally, supporting ecosystem restoration.
A global study found that biochar significantly reduces methane and nitrous oxide emissions in composting, while conserving nitrogen and stabilizing carbon. The optimal amount of biochar added is critical, with 10-20% achieving the strongest reductions.
A study on C. elegans reveals that dissolved biochar affects nematode growth and physiology, with lower doses promoting development and higher doses disrupting normal functions. The findings highlight the need for careful dosing and oversight when deploying biochar in agricultural systems.
Researchers found that certain soil minerals can trap dissolved organic matter released from biochar, keeping more carbon in the soil. Low-intensity rainfall helps retain this dissolved carbon within mineral-rich soils, limiting its downward movement and loss.
A new journal, Energy & Environment Nexus, calls for a science-based approach to balancing economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection. The journal introduces the concept of the 'Energy and Environment Nexus', emphasizing the interdependence of energy, society, and the environment.
Rice exposed to nanoplastics and cadmium suffered a 16% loss in biomass, but biochar treatment increased biomass by over 80% and restored chlorophyll and protein levels. Biochar formed a physical barrier, trapped pollutants, and enhanced antioxidant activity.
A team of researchers has developed a 'bio-photovoltage soil-microbe battery' that uses sunlight energy to power the breakdown of antibiotic pollutants in the dark. The system, formed by common soil bacteria and iron minerals, captures and releases solar energy to trigger chemical reactions degrading antibiotics.
A new study argues that plants cannot survive without a minimum water supply, regardless of their genetic drought tolerance. Effective water management strategies, such as modern irrigation systems and soil mulching, have consistently stabilized or boosted yields, while genetic advances provide little protection once soil moisture fall...
A two-year field study reveals that biodegradable microplastics, often considered eco-friendly, are reshaping farmfield soils in unexpected ways. Bioplastics PLA reduced stable carbon compounds by 32% while boosting microbial necromass and fungal-dominated soil ecosystems.
Researchers have developed a modified biochar made from biogas residue that can efficiently remove ammonium nitrogen from water. The potassium-permanganate-modified biochar achieved an adsorption capacity up to four times greater than unmodified biochar, making it a promising tool for environmental remediation.
A new study shows that animal manure can be converted into a valuable solution for cleaning polluted water. Biochar, a carbon-rich material formed by heating organic matter, is stable, safe, and highly effective at removing contaminants such as toxic dyes, heavy metals, and pharmaceutical residues.
Researchers at Universiti Sains Malaysia create a new material capable of capturing carbon dioxide from the air using oil palm ash, achieving impressive adsorption capacity and stability. Machine learning predictions also enabled the design of a highly optimized mesoporous structure.
A machine learning approach enhances the treatment of livestock manure, predicting phosphorus distribution and recovery. The process converts biowaste into hydrochar and a nutrient-rich liquid, reducing environmental pollution and supporting sustainable agriculture.
A decade-long field study reveals that biochar improves soil structure, fertility, and microbial activity, leading to higher soybean yields. Biochar also reshapes soil microbial communities, promoting beneficial groups and suppressing potential pathogens.
A Peking University study maps the hidden life of river carbon along the upper Yangtze River, revealing how landscape, fire, and sunlight shape the global carbon cycle. The research found that organic carbon changes as it travels from the river's high-altitude headwaters to its densely populated downstream reaches.
Researchers found that soil viruses selectively infect denitrifying microbes, reducing nitrous oxide emissions by up to 20%. The study suggests viral regulation as a potential method for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. Viruses may play a critical role in supporting sustainable food production and protecting the planet.
Researchers found that native halophytic plants can reduce alkaline minerals and promote mineral weathering, creating early organo-mineral associations essential for soil development. The plants also doubled organic carbon content, fueling stabilization of soil aggregates.
A major new study proves that hydropower is a leading force in cutting carbon emissions, with the potential to reshape sustainable development in Southeast Asia. The study found that as hydropower consumption increases, CO2 emissions drop significantly, while reliance on fossil fuels drives emissions upward.
A new review highlights how biochar can capture and reduce nitrate contamination in groundwater, agricultural soils, and wastewater. Biochar offers the advantage of being renewable, affordable, and adaptable to different environmental conditions, with removal efficiencies above 80-90 percent in some cases.
Phosphorus-modified biochar dramatically reduces heavy metal pollution, improving soil quality and microbial communities. The innovation offers a promising approach for cleaning up contaminated farmland and securing the food supply.
A study reveals that climate-driven freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles control the fate of heavy metals in straw-amended soils, impacting pollution risks. Climate-driven cycles influence the binding and mobility of lead in soil organic matter.
Researchers explain how iron nanoparticles form in water or on minerals, organic matter, and microbial biofilms, influencing ecosystem health and pollutant movement. Organic molecules and microbes also play major roles in nanoparticle growth and transformation.