Title:
The Ecotoxicity of the Biochar was Investigated Using a Kinetic Bioluminescent Bacteria Test
Author(s):
Laurila, N., Kettunen, H.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
In Finland, most of the waste wood is currently utilized as fuel in power generation. To ensure the long-term sequestration of carbon stored in wood biomass, it is recommended that waste wood be either reused or converted into biochar. When novel raw materials are employed for biochar production, the presence of potential contaminants must be assessed to verify the suitability of the resulting biochar for soil improver applications. Strict limits on hazardous substances, including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are imposed by both European Union and national legislation for biochar intended for use as a soil improver. In addition to chemical contaminant analyses, environmental safety can be evaluated through various ecotoxicological assays. In the BioGo project, the environmental safety of selected biochars was assessed using a flash-based kinetic bioluminescent bacterial assay, which provides a rapid and sensitive alternative to conventional analytical methods. Four types of biochar were examined: a commercial product, biochar produced from class A waste wood, biochar derived from cross-laminated timber (CLT), and a defective, smoke-emitting biochar resulting from an unsuccessful pyrolysis process. Toxic effects were observed in the defective biochar, whereas the biochar produced from CLT materials was demonstrated to be of high quality and environmentally safe.
Keywords:
toxicity, biochar, circular economy
Topic:
Biomass, Bio-based Products and Bioenergy Integration
Subtopic:
Resource efficient bioeconomy
Event:
33rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3CV.8.27
Pages:
587 - 593
ISBN:
978-88-89407-25-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/33rdEUBCE2025-3CV.8.27
Price:
FREE
