Rethinking Biochar’s MRV Systems: A Perspective on Incorporating Agronomic and Organic Chemistry Indicators

Biochar, produced through the pyrolysis of biomass and green waste, offers significant potential as a soil amendment to enhance soil health and sustainability in agriculture. However, the current Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for biochar predominantly focus on carbon credits...

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Main Authors: Karam Abu El Haija, Rafael M. Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Sustainable Chemistry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4079/5/4/20
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author Karam Abu El Haija
Rafael M. Santos
author_facet Karam Abu El Haija
Rafael M. Santos
author_sort Karam Abu El Haija
collection DOAJ
description Biochar, produced through the pyrolysis of biomass and green waste, offers significant potential as a soil amendment to enhance soil health and sustainability in agriculture. However, the current Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for biochar predominantly focus on carbon credits/offsets, neglecting crucial aspects related to its usability and suitability as a soil amendment on agricultural fields. Through an examination of recent findings, this perspective explores the integration of geochemical tracers, functional group (hydroxyl, carboxyl, phenolic, lactonic, etc.) analysis, and nutrient dynamics into MRV procedures/systems to create a more comprehensive framework. By examining the applicability of these indicators, this paper identifies key gaps and proposes a more robust MRV approach. Such a system would not only facilitate better assessment of biochar’s agronomic benefits but also guide its optimal use in various soil types and agricultural practices.
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series Sustainable Chemistry
spelling doaj-art-04c728e709ba4e759ba6f441f7f0722e2025-08-20T02:57:29ZengMDPI AGSustainable Chemistry2673-40792024-11-015428730710.3390/suschem5040020Rethinking Biochar’s MRV Systems: A Perspective on Incorporating Agronomic and Organic Chemistry IndicatorsKaram Abu El Haija0Rafael M. Santos1School of Engineering, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, CanadaSchool of Engineering, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, CanadaBiochar, produced through the pyrolysis of biomass and green waste, offers significant potential as a soil amendment to enhance soil health and sustainability in agriculture. However, the current Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for biochar predominantly focus on carbon credits/offsets, neglecting crucial aspects related to its usability and suitability as a soil amendment on agricultural fields. Through an examination of recent findings, this perspective explores the integration of geochemical tracers, functional group (hydroxyl, carboxyl, phenolic, lactonic, etc.) analysis, and nutrient dynamics into MRV procedures/systems to create a more comprehensive framework. By examining the applicability of these indicators, this paper identifies key gaps and proposes a more robust MRV approach. Such a system would not only facilitate better assessment of biochar’s agronomic benefits but also guide its optimal use in various soil types and agricultural practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4079/5/4/20biochar MRV systemssoil amendmentgeochemical tracersorganic chemistry indicatorsagronomic benefitssustainable agriculture
spellingShingle Karam Abu El Haija
Rafael M. Santos
Rethinking Biochar’s MRV Systems: A Perspective on Incorporating Agronomic and Organic Chemistry Indicators
Sustainable Chemistry
biochar MRV systems
soil amendment
geochemical tracers
organic chemistry indicators
agronomic benefits
sustainable agriculture
title Rethinking Biochar’s MRV Systems: A Perspective on Incorporating Agronomic and Organic Chemistry Indicators
title_full Rethinking Biochar’s MRV Systems: A Perspective on Incorporating Agronomic and Organic Chemistry Indicators
title_fullStr Rethinking Biochar’s MRV Systems: A Perspective on Incorporating Agronomic and Organic Chemistry Indicators
title_full_unstemmed Rethinking Biochar’s MRV Systems: A Perspective on Incorporating Agronomic and Organic Chemistry Indicators
title_short Rethinking Biochar’s MRV Systems: A Perspective on Incorporating Agronomic and Organic Chemistry Indicators
title_sort rethinking biochar s mrv systems a perspective on incorporating agronomic and organic chemistry indicators
topic biochar MRV systems
soil amendment
geochemical tracers
organic chemistry indicators
agronomic benefits
sustainable agriculture
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4079/5/4/20
work_keys_str_mv AT karamabuelhaija rethinkingbiocharsmrvsystemsaperspectiveonincorporatingagronomicandorganicchemistryindicators
AT rafaelmsantos rethinkingbiocharsmrvsystemsaperspectiveonincorporatingagronomicandorganicchemistryindicators