GREENHOUSE GAS LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF BIOCHAR EFFECTS ON MARGINAL LAND CONVERSION TO SWITCHGRASS PRODUCTION

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: TERMINATED
• Funding Source: AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0224165
• Grant No.: 2011-67009-20072
• Project No.: PEN04421
• Proposal No.: 2010-03865
• Program Code: A6121
• Project Start Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2012
• Grant Year: 2012

Project Director
Drohan, P.

Recipient Organization
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
208 MUELLER LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY PARK,PA 16802

Performing Department
Ecosystem Science & Management

Non Technical Summary
Producing 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022 will require production of biofuel crops on millions of acres not currently devoted to them. In order to avoid competition with food crops, much of the biofuel production may occur on marginal lands. We do not yet know how large-scale conversion of marginal lands to switchgrass production will affect soil C sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, therefore, we cannot yet anticipate the net effect of the resultant biofuels on GHG emissions. Therefore, we propose to perform life cycle assessments of GHG emissions associated with the conversion to switchgrass production for pyrolytic biofuels on four contrasting marginal soil types. Pyrolysis is an important near-term method for producing Fischer Tropsch liquid biofuels from biomass. Biochar is one of its byproducts. The use of biochar as a soil amendment may reduce the net GHG emissions associated with the biofuels because it can reduce N2O emissions and stably sequester C while improving crop yield, particularly on marginal soils. Another goal, therefore, is to determine the effects of using biochar as a soil amendment on net GHG gas emissions of the biofuels. Finally we will compare the effects of two contrasting methods of biochar application on soil C sequestration and net GHG emissions.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

50%

Applied

50%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
102	0110	1060	50%
131	0499	1070	50%

Knowledge Area
131 - Alternative Uses of Land; 102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil; 0499 - Atmosphere, general/other;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Keywords

biochar

carbon sequestration

biofuel

switchgrass

marginal soil

Goals / Objectives
Our first goal is to determine the consequences of using marginal lands for switchgrass-based biofuel production (via pyrolysis) in terms of soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. We will utilize a life cycle approach in order to produce a complete accounting of greenhouse gas fluxes. Our second goal is to document variation among marginal land sites in the consequences of conversion to switchgrass production in terms of soil carbon sequestration and net greenhouse gas emissions. A third goal is to determine the effects of incorporating biochar into a range of marginal soil types on soil carbon sequestration and net greenhouse gas fluxes. The major product of this research will be the life cycle analysis. While we understand that the use of biofuels in place of fossil fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the quantification of the extent of reduction is difficult, particularly if biofuel crops are grown on marginal soils of varying quality. This research will provide a much needed life cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from a variety of marginal soils that are representative of a large fraction of marginal soils likely to be encountered in switchgrass production in the U.S. Given the limitations of marginal soils, our proposed use of biochar could greatly enhance local economies. Other products will include new information on switchgrass productivity on marginal soils, quantification of soil C sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in the transition from marginal land vegetation to switchgrass production, information on the effects of biochar incorporation on greenhouse gas emissions, and new knowledge of biochar incorporation method on yield and soil greenhouse gas dynamics.

Project Methods
The proposed research requires a five year study period. Long term studies of biochar are essential because the effectiveness of biochar may increase markedly over time (Major et al. 2010). The study will be conducted at four separate study sites on marginal soils throughout the state of Pennsylvania in order to capture much of the variability that exists among marginal soil types in the U.S. In Year 1 the sites will be prepared for switchgrass planting, but planting will not occur until Year 2. Fertilization of the switchgrass will not begin until Year 3 in order to minimize weed competition. Each study site will include the 5 treatments indicated below. Among these treatments are two methods for applying biochar (full amount applied in Year 1 vs. 5 yearly applications of smaller amounts). This contrast is important because it may be difficult for growers to acquire sufficient biochar to apply all that is needed in a single year so yearly applications of smaller amounts may be more practical. Each treatment will be replicated 4 times at each study site, for a total of 20 plots per study site. Each plot will be 10 x 20 feet. Treatment 1: Vegetation control, current vegetation type on existing marginal soil, no soil disturbance, no biochar, no fertilizer Treatment 2: Biochar10x1, switchgrass with 10 tonne biochar ha-1 tilled into the soil in Year 1 only, N fertilizer broadcast in Years 3-5 Treatment 3: Control10x1, switchgrass with soil tilled in Year 1 but without biochar, N fertilizer broadcast in Years 3-5 Treatment 4: Biochar2x5, switchgrass with 2 tonne biochar ha-1 injected into soil in each of Years 1-5 along with N fertilizer in Years 3-5 Treatment 5: Control2x5, switchgrass with soil injection disturbance as in Treatment 4 in each of Years 1-5 but without biochar, N fertilizer injected in Years 3-5 In order to maximize the potential variability in soil conditions that Pennsylvania biofuel producers are likely to experience, we have chosen study sites with soil limitations reflective of the main groups of marginal soil in Pennsylvania. Study sites represent conditions typical of the Ridge and Valley, the glaciated region, and reclaimed strip mineland. Results will be published in forms that are accessible to other scientists and policy makers.

Progress 01/01/11 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Four study sites were established around the Penn State University, University Park area. These sites represent marginal soils across the northern Appalachians. In order to help carry out study experiments, two post-doctoral scholars have been hired: Binh Nguyen and Andrea Nord. One undergraduate has also been hired. The responsibilities of the Post-docs are to oversee field and laboratory experiments. Field plots have been installed at each of the study sites. Initial soil sampling and basic soil characterization has been conducted across the study plots and switchgrass biochar applications are underway. We have completed one experiment, which is prepared for peer-review submission (soil C pools experiment). A second experiment is being expanded (soil water content experiment). We planning on having two undergraduate researchers from BYU involved in the project in the coming year. We are now into the second year of switchgrass growth and will be adding biochar for the third time this coming fall (into the chiseled plots). Binh Nguyen reported on our results last fall (2012) at an international biochar meeting in Beijing, China. PARTICIPANTS: The two main investigators (PIs) from Penn State are Dr. Roger Koide (now at Brigham Young Univ.) and Dr. Patrick Drohan (Penn State, Ecosys. Sci. & Mgmt.). Collaborators (Co-PIs) working at the USDA-ARS Pasture Mgmt. Laboratory are Drs. Curt Dell, Howard Skinner, and Paul Adler. Post Doctoral Students working at Penn State include Binh Nguyen and Andrea Nord. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The PI, Roger Koide, has transferred from Penn State to Brigham Young. The award followed Dr. Koide. Sub-awards were issued back to USDA-ARS and Penn State for the remaining work.

Impacts
Given we are early in the project we have limited outcomes. However, our first experiment that examined soil C pools provides new insights into the role of switchgrass biochar additions to different marginal soils and the resulting change in soil C. Our second experiment clarifies how soil water may be affected by biochar additions to marginal soils.

Publications

• Koide, R., C. Dell, B. Nguyen, H. Skinner, P. Drohan, and P. Adler. 2012. Greenhouse Gas Life Cycle Analysis of Biochar Effects On Marginal Land Conversion to Switchgrass Production. 2012 CSSA, ASA, SSSA Annual Meeting. Oct. 21-24. Cincinnati, OH. Abstract 51-9.
• Nguyen, B. T., R. Koide, P. Drohan, H. Skinner, C. Dell, P. Adler, and A. N. Nord. 2012. Effects of switchgrass-derived biochar addition on turnover of soil carbon pool. The 4th International Biochar Congress. September 16-20 2012. Beijing- China. Oral presentation. Abstract S4-03, p88.

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Dr. Koide will participate in the 2011 NIFA Sustainable Bioenergy Program PD meeting in Washington D.C. in October 2011. He has consulted with a number of other research programs, sharing his knowledge (and sharing his biochar) with other professors who are initiating research on biochar, particular engineers. Dr. Koide was invited to speak in Sweden, and researchers from Sri Lanka and Brazil are arranging for extended stays in the U.S. to work with him on the biochar project. PARTICIPANTS: Roger Koide, PI, Professor of Horticultural Ecology, Penn State University. Co-PIs Howard Skinner, USDA ARS; Curtis Dell, USDA ARS; Paul Adler, USDA ARS; Patrick Drohan, Asst. Professor, Crop and Soils, PSU. Postdoctoral scholars: Binh Nguyen, Andrea Nord. Technical assistance: Matthew Peoples. TARGET AUDIENCES: The people served by this project have primarily been the research community, policymakers and growers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Dr. Koide has developed a method for biochar quantification in field soils (see publications). His publications have historically had large impacts. His publications are highly cited. Currently his publications are cited 111 times per year, with a total of over 2900 lifetime citations.

Publications

• Koide, R. T., K. Petprakob, and M. Peoples. 2011. Quantitative analysis of biochar in field soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 43:1563-1568.