Biotic and abiotic risks of soil biochar treatment for food safety and human health

Abstract Pyrolysis technology facilitates the heating of organic waste biomass in a very low oxygen environment to temperatures over 400 °C. The high carbon content and surface area of the char produced via slow pyrolysis makes it suitable for a range of purposes that would sequester the carbon it contains. For example, there is a growing interest in its use as a soil amendment, which enhances plant growth and nutrient use efficiency.