Articles tagged with Environmental Chemistry
A new study shows that liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers can substantially improve pasture yield, nutrient balance and farm-level economic returns. The nitrogen-enriched formulation delivered the strongest performance, increasing pasture yield by 42.20 t ha⁻¹.
A new study published in Biochar reports a promising approach to address food safety and climate challenges at the same time. A titanium dioxide-loaded biochar material reduces arsenic mobilization and methane emissions in flooded paddy soil, offering a two-in-one strategy for safer rice and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study found that soil fungi play a key role in supporting carbon retention and improving fertility in nutrient-poor urban soils. Biochar and compost increased soil carbon and nitrogen storage most strongly in these soils, with amendment effects up to 14.4 times greater than those observed in nutrient-rich soils.
Researchers found that acid-modified and alkaline biochars helped reduce stress from saline-alkali soil, improving soil conditions and supporting alfalfa performance. Alkaline biochar promoted biomass growth, while acid-modified biochar improved soil chemistry and root defense in highly alkaline soils.
A new review highlights the potential of biochar-immobilized microbes (BIMs) to improve soil quality, increase crop yields, and remediate pollutants. BIMs have shown strong potential to support sustainable agriculture by enhancing nutrient cycling, root development, stress tolerance, and pathogen suppression.
A new study found that biochar can lower the temperature sensitivity of nitrous oxide emissions in agricultural soil but increase it in forest soil. Researchers tested different soils and biochar treatments and found that temperature was the dominant driver of nitrous oxide emissions, while biochar acted as a secondary modulator.
A new study reveals how combining crop straw with biochar may help soils build humic substances that are both chemically active and structurally persistent. The research found that straw and biochar do more than just add carbon to soil, reorganizing the molecular building blocks of humic acid.
Carbon Research has achieved a new milestone with a 2025 CiteScore Tracker of 19.2, reflecting growing visibility and citation performance. The journal focuses on carbonaceous materials, renewable energy, and greenhouse gases, publishing high-quality research for climate change, sustainable energy, and environmental remediation.
A three-year field study shows that pairing biochar with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can improve soil health, nutrient supply, microbial diversity, and maize productivity. The treatment also increased soil water content, porosity, organic carbon, available phosphorus, and enzyme activity.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered a method to quantify CO2 absorbed by cementitious materials and its atmospheric contamination using carbon isotope measurements. This breakthrough aims to improve carbon accounting and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in concrete production.
Long-term biochar study reveals that topsoil benefits from biochar's effect on microbial necromass carbon, with significant increase in fungal necromass carbon. In contrast, subsoil shows reduced microbial necromass carbon due to lower nitrogen availability and increased microbial nutrient mining.
Biochar can restore acidic tea soils, reduce toxic metal uptake, and support climate-smart cultivation. It also improves fertilizer use efficiency, supports biochemical pathways linked to tea quality, and reduces heavy metal exposure risks for consumers.
A new five-year field study suggests that pairing annual biochar amendment with water-saving irrigation can reduce methane emissions from paddy fields. Continuous biochar use maintained and strengthened methane mitigation over time, while a one-time application's effect weakened.
Researchers found that higher soil salinity can slow biochar's aging process, preserving its carbon content and reducing microbial activity. This study provides new insights for sustainable management of saline farmland and highlights the importance of microorganisms in shaping biochar's environmental functions.
Researchers argue that biochar's long-term carbon storage potential and its soil improvement benefits should not be conflated. The authors call for a 'designer biochar' approach, tailoring products to specific end uses rather than marketing them as universally beneficial.
Researchers found that hydrochar improves soil structure while increasing soil organic carbon, with different feedstocks showing varying benefits. The study suggests hydrochar could become a customizable amendment for climate-smart soil management.
Researchers developed amine-functionalized biochar/cellulose acetate hybrid membranes using microalgae biomass, improving water filtration and reducing foulant adhesion. The modified membranes achieved a water flux of 169.1 L m⁻² h⁻¹ and 64.1% removal of natural organic matter.
A new study found that excavated urban soils in South Korea emit measurable amounts of CO2 and CH4, highlighting a previously overlooked climate cost. Researchers suggest simple practices like soil capping and biochar amendment could be integrated into construction workflows to mitigate these emissions.
A new study found that climate change can weaken the natural purification process in lakes, removing excess nitrogen from the water. This could have severe consequences for coastal marine ecosystems, including algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
A new review highlights how biochar weathers over time, affecting its benefits and risks in soil health, carbon sequestration, and pollution control. Weathered biochar can improve nutrient retention and metal binding but also fragment and reduce long-term carbon storage potential.
A new study uses machine learning to predict how pristine biochar affects soil phosphorus availability under different conditions. The model identifies key factors such as pyrolysis temperature and application rate that influence phosphorus regulation, suggesting a more precise approach to biochar use.
A new study by University of East London researchers aims to gather data on microplastic contamination across the Thames, combining new sampling with existing datasets. The findings could inform discussions around wastewater management, river protection, and plastic pollution policy.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has expanded its ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certification to include multiple research areas. The internationally recognized standard supports proactive systems to reduce emissions and protect the environment, giving clients peace of mind about SwRI's commitment to stewardship.
FAU engineering researcher Masoud Jahandar Lashaki has been awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER award to study the oxidative degradation of amine-functionalized sorbents. The project aims to design longer-lasting technologies for capturing pollutants from air and water, improving indoor and outdoor air quality.
The partnership aims to establish a next-generation C1 biofoundry at DTU to convert CO2, CO, and methane into valuable products. This technology has the potential to reduce industrial emissions and enable circular, climate-positive solutions.
Researchers from China have successfully demonstrated CRISPR/Cas genome editing in nonregenerative cotton via sexual hybridization, opening a novel technical avenue for genetic improvement. The approach eliminates toxicity in cottonseed protein, enabling valuable resource utilization and advanced biotechnologies.
Researchers developed liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers that significantly increase crop yields and improve nutrient efficiency. The nitrogen-enriched formulation delivered the strongest results, achieving positive nitrogen and phosphorus balances while reducing labor and cost.
A novel MOF-derived nanoconfined hollow polyhedral bimetallic sulfide heterojunction exhibits enhanced light harvesting efficiency and promotes rapid tetracycline degradation, with a kinetic rate constant five times higher than pristine Ag2S. The material maintained over 90% efficiency in real water matrices.
A new study shows that combining biochar application with moderate water table management can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural peat soils. Biochar consistently lowers carbon dioxide emissions and suppresses methane production, making it a promising strategy for climate mitigation.
Researchers found that thiol-modified biochar reduces mercury mobility by up to 80% in soils exposed to dry-wet cycles. The material promotes natural weathering processes, traps mercury in stable forms, and alters the soil microbial community, creating a resilient ecosystem.
A new study reports a promising solution to address both arsenic contamination and greenhouse gas emissions in rice paddies using an engineered biochar material enhanced with titanium dioxide. The findings highlight a new strategy to improve food safety while lowering agriculture’s climate footprint.
A five-year field study reveals that biochar can reorganize entire soil ecosystems, creating lasting benefits for agriculture and environmental sustainability. Biochar triggers a coordinated transformation across the entire soil system, improving soil acidity and reducing metal toxicity.
A new study reveals that carefully designed biochar amendments can improve plant growth and soil health in saline-alkali soils by reshaping plant metabolism and microbial communities. Alkaline biochar was found to stimulate key metabolic pathways, while acid-modified biochar enhanced root development and activated plant defense systems.
Researchers found that biochar can either dampen or amplify temperature sensitivity of nitrous oxide emissions in soils. Biochar's effects depend on soil properties and environmental conditions.
A new field study reveals that biochar significantly increases microbial necromass carbon in topsoil by up to 39%, linked to improved nutrient availability and microbial efficiency. However, in subsoil layers, biochar reduces microbial necromass carbon by as much as 30% due to nutrient limitations.
A five-year field study shows that small, repeated additions of biochar combined with water-saving irrigation can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies over time while maintaining strong crop yields. Continuous application maintained and strengthened methane reduction, producing net negative emissions in some cases.
Researchers found that increasing soil salinity slows biochar aging and limits microbial colonization. Biochar retains more carbon and shows greater structural stability in saline environments compared to low-salinity conditions.
A new study finds that hydrochar significantly enhances soil organic carbon and aggregation, offering a promising strategy for sustainable soil management. Hydrochar can simultaneously improve soil structure and increase carbon sequestration, making it a versatile solution for improving soil health in agriculture.
A new scientific review highlights how biochar can transform tea farming by restoring soil health, reducing pollution risks, and improving both yield and quality. Biochar can increase tea yields by 10 to 40 percent while enhancing quality traits such as amino acids and polyphenols that influence flavor.
Researchers created a novel material by converting microalgae biomass into biochar and modifying it with amine functional groups, producing hybrid filters with enhanced purification performance. The new membranes achieved better pollutant rejection and improved resistance to fouling.
A new study highlights the critical misunderstanding of biochar's role in fighting climate change and improving soils, warning that oversimplified claims could undermine scientific progress and carbon markets. Biochar is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and its effectiveness depends on where it is used.
A six-year field study reveals that biochar made from peanut shells improves soil fertility and enhances crop quality by reshaping soil microbial communities. The study shows that biochar acts as both a habitat and a nutrient source for beneficial microbes, promoting plant growth and increasing soluble sugar content in tobacco leaves.
A new study reveals excavated urban soils as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide and methane. Biochar application and soil capping can dramatically reduce emissions by up to 96%, offering a practical climate solution for urban development.
A field study found that adding biochar to estuarine wetlands increased sediment carbon storage while suppressing carbon loss. Tidal dynamics amplified the effectiveness of biochar as a climate solution by stabilizing carbon in sediments and reducing microbial activity associated with carbon decomposition.
A new study found that biochar can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies when applied at optimal nitrogen levels. However, high nitrogen inputs may actually increase methane emissions, highlighting the need for careful management of fertilizer inputs.
A new review highlights biochar's potential to reverse land degradation, improve soil health, and support sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Biochar can increase crop yields, reduce erosion risks, and enhance soil resilience, while also contributing to global carbon sequestration efforts.
A new study reveals that freeze-thaw cycles can dramatically improve biochar's ability to trap toxic arsenic in contaminated soils. The research found that freezing and thawing fundamentally reshapes how biochar interacts with soil at microscopic scales, creating stronger connections between biochar particles and soil minerals.
Researchers have developed a new class of carbon materials called 'viciazites' that contain carefully controlled configurations of nitrogen groups, enabling low-temperature operation and efficient CO2 capture. The materials outperform untreated carbon fibers in CO2 uptake and desorption at temperatures below 60°C.
A new field study reveals that biochar can significantly restore soil health and nitrogen availability in forests affected by acid rain. Biochar triggers major biological changes in the soil, enhancing microbial biomass and increasing nitrogen use efficiency.
A University of Michigan study suggests that scientists wearing nitrile and latex gloves while measuring microplastics may overestimate the amount of tiny pollutants in air, water, and samples. The researchers recommend using cleanroom gloves instead to minimize contamination with stearates.
A new study reveals that nano-biochar fertilizers can actively regulate soil processes and help protect rice from harmful metal accumulation. The findings show improved rice growth, enhanced soil biological activity, and reduced cadmium and arsenic uptake in contaminated soils.
Researchers developed a system combining biochar with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to target specific pollutants in red mud. The results showed that each fungal species played a distinct role in detoxifying arsenic and lead, as well as improving soil health.
A 14-year field study shows that biochar can simultaneously reduce heavy metal risks in agricultural soils while enhancing carbon storage. Biochar improved soil carbon storage, reducing toxicity by up to 91 percent and increasing organic carbon content.
Researchers combine biochar with naturally occurring minerals to create more durable and effective materials for improving soil fertility, capturing contaminants, and delivering nutrients. Engineered composites show promising potential for agricultural and pollution control applications.
Researchers developed a nitrogen-doped biochar-modified zero-valent iron nanocomposite that rapidly removes harmful herbicides from soil and protects crops. The material also triggers the formation of an iron plaque on plant roots, capturing contaminants and improving crop health.
A new model developed by MIT scientists suggests that the hydroxyl radical, a key air cleanser, may boost methane breakdown levels due to rising water vapor but also reduce them due to increased biogenic emissions, resulting in a small net gain in its effectiveness.
A new study reveals that biochar can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from forest soils, shifting them from a source to a potential climate solution. Biochar was found to suppress key microbial genes responsible for producing N2O while increasing the abundance of microbes that convert it into harmless nitrogen gas.