Carbon Sequestration with Biochar: Global Trends, Knowledge Gaps, and Future Directions

[Geoengineering News]

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsestwater.5c00606

Authors: Darliane Cristina Soares de Souza, Juciane Vieira de Assis Freire, et al.

07 October 2025

Abstract 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognizes biochar as a central carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy, included in all scenarios to achieve net-zero emissions. However, scientific debate persists regarding the most appropriate methods for estimating the persistence of biochar-derived carbon in soils. These estimates are crucial for greenhouse gas inventories, carbon credit projects, and life cycle assessments (LCA), making it essential to map and critically analyze scientific output on this subject. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of global production between 2009 and 2025, based on a Web of Science search using the terms “biochar,” “carbon sequestration,” and “modeling,” resulting in 448 articles. Science of the Total Environment was identified as the leading journal in publications (33), while Chemosphere had the highest number of citations (3,404). China (153 articles), the United States (91 articles), and Australia (35) are the most productive countries, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences standing out (30). The most cited researcher is Yong Sik Ok (4,248 citations). The findings reveal continuous growth in publications and emphasize the need for more advanced modeling approaches and interdisciplinary efforts to consolidate biochar as an effective climate mitigation strategy.

Source: ACS PUBLICATIONS