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5 - Biochar as an Integrated and Decentralised Environmental Management Tool in the Botanic Garden Berlin-Dahlem

from Part I - The Interdisciplinary Approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2016

By
Robert Wagner ,
René Schatten ,
Kathrin Rössler ,
Ines Vogel  and
Konstantin Terytze
Edited by
Viktor J. Bruckman ,
Esin Apaydın Varol ,
Bașak B. Uzun  and
Jay Liu
Viktor J. Bruckman
Affiliation:
Austrian Academy of Sciences
Esin Apaydın Varol
Affiliation:
Anadolu University, Turkey
Bașak B. Uzun
Affiliation:
Anadolu University, Turkey
Jay Liu
Affiliation:
Pukyong National University, South Korea
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Summary

Abstract

Within the research project TerraBoGa, located at the Botanic Garden Berlin-Dahlem, biochar was explored as a means to achieve a closed-loop recycling system. The annual quantity of plant residues, as well as the potential amount of valuable nutrient resources like urine and faeces of the employees and visitors, was determined and an integrated sustainable sanitation system was developed. A carbonisation plant was installed to provide energy and to produce biochar from green waste. The addition of biochar to the composting process reduced the emission of greenhouse gases and showed substantial improvements in the moisture, odour and substrate structure parameters when compared with pure compost. In all plant trials undertaken, the amendment of biochar resulted in either better or similar plant growth when compared with the plant-specific standard substrates traditionally used. Biochar as an additive for horticultural substrates can reduce the use of peat by up to one-third without adversely affecting plant growth. The production and application of biochar as a nutrient carrier and nutrient storage medium has great potential to close the regional/small material cycles in conjunction with sustainable biomass and organic waste management.

Type
Chapter
Information
Biochar
A Regional Supply Chain Approach in View of Climate Change Mitigation
 , pp. 96 - 120
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2016

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