How long does biochar last in the soil?
The stability of biochar is of fundamental importance in determining the environmental benefits of biochar. There are two reasons why stability is important: first, stability determines how long carbon (C) applied to soil as biochar will remain sequestered in soil and contribute to the mitigation of climate change; and secondly, stability will determine how long biochar can provide benefits to soil and water quality. Biochar is not a single material, and its characteristics vary depending upon what it is made from and how it is made. Most biochars have a small labile (easily decomposed) fraction in addition to a much larger stable fraction. Scientists have shown that the mean residence time of this stable fraction is estimated to range from several hundred to a few thousand years. For more information see IBI’s research summary: Biochar Recalcitrance in Soil See Chapter 11: Stability of Biochar in Soil, in Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology, edited by Johannes
