Biochar application as a green clean-up method: bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectives

Abstract Biochar has recently emerged as a cutting-edge solution for environmental remediation, distinguishing itself from traditional methods. This essay presents a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness and future prospects of biochar through innovative bibliometric analysis techniques. Si...

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Main Authors: Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba, Olive Mekontchou Yemele, Bin Hu, Heinz Rennenberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Biochar
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00470-2
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author Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba
Olive Mekontchou Yemele
Bin Hu
Heinz Rennenberg
author_facet Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba
Olive Mekontchou Yemele
Bin Hu
Heinz Rennenberg
author_sort Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Biochar has recently emerged as a cutting-edge solution for environmental remediation, distinguishing itself from traditional methods. This essay presents a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness and future prospects of biochar through innovative bibliometric analysis techniques. Since 2010, the global application of biochar as a soil amendment has surged, evolving from its conventional uses in fuel and carbon sequestration to enhancing soil functionality, a novel approach in environmental science. With over 250 research reports published during this period, biochar has demonstrated exceptional potential in improving soil properties, including water retention, nutrient cycling, and the promotion of beneficial microbial communities. However, this work identifies a critical innovation gap: the lack of a precise definition for biochar as a soil amendment in the United States, as well as the need for interdisciplinary research that bridges soil science with plant molecular biology and genetics. Our investigation not only confirms the effectiveness of biochar as a sustainable remediation method, but also suggests its potential applications in mitigating pollution and addressing climate change impacts. While current literature primarily focuses on the role of biochar in enhancing soil fertility, we have uncovered emerging trends, pointing to its use in remediating contaminated land and removing organic pollutants, which is innovative application in the field. Additionally, we highlight the novel use of advanced tools such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to study changes following biochar application, offering a new perspective on biochar research. The versatility and effectiveness of biochar in environmental remediation make it a promising tool for sustainable soil management and pollution mitigation, underscoring the need for continued interdisciplinary research to fully realize its potential. Graphical Abstract
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series Biochar
spelling doaj-art-d824dba52aaa484b954dd62fc832a8f12025-08-20T03:22:54ZengSpringerBiochar2524-78672025-06-017112610.1007/s42773-025-00470-2Biochar application as a green clean-up method: bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectivesMbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba0Olive Mekontchou Yemele1Bin Hu2Heinz Rennenberg3Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest UniversityKey Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development On Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai UniversityCenter of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest UniversityCenter of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest UniversityAbstract Biochar has recently emerged as a cutting-edge solution for environmental remediation, distinguishing itself from traditional methods. This essay presents a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness and future prospects of biochar through innovative bibliometric analysis techniques. Since 2010, the global application of biochar as a soil amendment has surged, evolving from its conventional uses in fuel and carbon sequestration to enhancing soil functionality, a novel approach in environmental science. With over 250 research reports published during this period, biochar has demonstrated exceptional potential in improving soil properties, including water retention, nutrient cycling, and the promotion of beneficial microbial communities. However, this work identifies a critical innovation gap: the lack of a precise definition for biochar as a soil amendment in the United States, as well as the need for interdisciplinary research that bridges soil science with plant molecular biology and genetics. Our investigation not only confirms the effectiveness of biochar as a sustainable remediation method, but also suggests its potential applications in mitigating pollution and addressing climate change impacts. While current literature primarily focuses on the role of biochar in enhancing soil fertility, we have uncovered emerging trends, pointing to its use in remediating contaminated land and removing organic pollutants, which is innovative application in the field. Additionally, we highlight the novel use of advanced tools such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to study changes following biochar application, offering a new perspective on biochar research. The versatility and effectiveness of biochar in environmental remediation make it a promising tool for sustainable soil management and pollution mitigation, underscoring the need for continued interdisciplinary research to fully realize its potential. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00470-2Biochar amendmentGreen clean-up methodBibliometric analysisRemediation
spellingShingle Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba
Olive Mekontchou Yemele
Bin Hu
Heinz Rennenberg
Biochar application as a green clean-up method: bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectives
Biochar
Biochar amendment
Green clean-up method
Bibliometric analysis
Remediation
title Biochar application as a green clean-up method: bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectives
title_full Biochar application as a green clean-up method: bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectives
title_fullStr Biochar application as a green clean-up method: bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Biochar application as a green clean-up method: bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectives
title_short Biochar application as a green clean-up method: bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectives
title_sort biochar application as a green clean up method bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectives
topic Biochar amendment
Green clean-up method
Bibliometric analysis
Remediation
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00470-2
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AT olivemekontchouyemele biocharapplicationasagreencleanupmethodbibliometricanalysisofcurrenttrendsandfutureperspectives
AT binhu biocharapplicationasagreencleanupmethodbibliometricanalysisofcurrenttrendsandfutureperspectives
AT heinzrennenberg biocharapplicationasagreencleanupmethodbibliometricanalysisofcurrenttrendsandfutureperspectives