Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Long term change in chemical properties of preindustrial charcoal particles aged in forest and agricultural temperate soil

Brieuc Hardy, Jens Leifeld, Heike Knicker, Joseph Dufey, Koen Deforce, Jean‐Thomas Cornelis

Organic Geochemistry · 2017

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Summary

This laboratory and field study tracked the chemical transformations of preindustrial charcoal particles aged under contrasting soil conditions in temperate environments. The research contributes to understanding biochar persistence and reactivity in soils, with implications for long-term carbon storage and soil amendment efficacy. The comparison between forest and agricultural contexts suggests that land use influences the rate and nature of charcoal weathering.

UK applicability

Findings are directly applicable to UK temperate soils and biochar adoption in both agricultural and forestry contexts. Understanding charcoal stability under UK soil and climate conditions is relevant to carbon sequestration strategies and sustainable soil management, though field validation across UK soil types would strengthen applicability.

Key measures

Chemical composition and structural properties of charcoal particles; oxidation degree; elemental analysis; spectroscopic characterisation (as suggested by journal scope and title)

Outcomes reported

The study examined long-term changes in chemical properties of preindustrial charcoal particles as they aged in contrasting soil environments (forest versus agricultural). It characterised the oxidation and weathering of charcoal over time using spectroscopic and analytical methods.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil carbon & organic matter
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Europe
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1016/j.orggeochem.2017.02.008
Catalogue ID
BFmommpepi-kc6xml

Topic tags

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