Biochar 2018: Urban Landscapes
Seven presentations from Urban Landscapes sessions are provided here.
A Field Study of Biochar Amended Soils: Water Retention, Infiltration, and Nutrient Removal from Stormwater Runoff — Joe Brown. This study was done along parts of Rt 896 and Bethel Church Road in Middletown, DE. A 4% blend with biochar (tilled with biochar), reduced stormwater runoff by 69%.
Stockholm Black Skeletal Soils — Björn Embren. This presentation describes and demonstrates a creative use in Sweden of biochar mixed with rock conglomerate in planting beds in the urban environment that supports tree growth (on sidewalks), helps retain and clean stormwater; lots of great photos illustrating the work. Because of the size of the presentation, it is broken down into Part 1, and Part 2.
Controlling Biochar Properties — KVodrazka. Presentation by Coolplanet on their patented process to take raw biochar and create “Cool Terra engineered biocarbon technology that is more consistent and stable, mixes well with other soils; in field trials yields increased 8-42%, depending on commodity.
How Cost-Advantaged Biochar Fillers Enhance the Performance of Composites and Plastics —- Joseph James. Agri-Tech Producers describe a number of value-added uses for biochar as fillers to make plastics, composites, and tires better. Presentation also demonstrated use of “biosorghum” for phytoremediation of contaminanted soils, then converted the biosorghum into biochar for use with animal bedding (poultry).
Biochar Building Materials —- Kathleen Draper. This incredibly important presentation highlights the many uses that have been discovered for biochar as building materials including Concrete, Composites, Drywall, Insulation, Tiles, Infill, Asphalt - driveways, Bricks, Plaster, and in softscape uses in Gardens, Lawn, Rain Gardens, and Leach fields