The impacts of biochar on carbon sequestration, soil processes, and microbial communities: a review

Abstract

Biochar application to the soil is an eco-friendly and sustainable nature-based solution for promoting soil carbon sequestration. It facilitates the reduction in the microbial carbon mineralization rate. Additionally, biochar enhances soil aggregate formation, neutralizes soil acidity, and increases microbial diversity, composition, and functions. The method adopted for this qualitative review entails a detailed examination of various research studies published on the contributions of biochar to soil carbon sequestration, its effect on the microbial community, and its contribution to greenhouse gas emission suppression, while also examining the various key factors that influence biochar’s functional potential as well as biochar’s contribution to environmental sustainability. We also put forward areas that needed further studies. Interestingly, this review emphasizes further the importance of exploring biochar in soil carbon emission control through a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation and management.

Highlights

•	High temperature pyrolyzed biochar promotes soil carbon conservation via induction of a negative priming effects on microbes.
•	It supports increase in microbial diversity for adequate soil ecological function.
•	Biochar-organo-mineral interfaces aid the protection of labile carbon from microbial decomposition.

Keywords

Carbon sequestration / Biochar / Environmental sustainability / Climate change / Soil microbial communities

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