The U.S. is facing a problem with the amount of abandoned mining lands that litter throughout the country. A new article out of the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station takes a look at the use of biochar in mining reclamation. They suggest that biochar can improve soil health, water quality, and plant cover. Along with other benefits, biochar may also be a way to use “waste” biomass that would otherwise be burned. Read the full article to learn why researchers are excited about biochar.
Rodriguez‑Franco, Carlos; Page‑Dumroese, Deborah S. 2021. Woody biochar potential for abandoned mine land restoration in the U.S.: A review. Biochar. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-020-00074-y.