Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites
Published on: November 28, 2014
Biochar production under different atmospheres: an overview
Ondřej Mašek1, Wolfram Buss2,3, Liang Wang4
1UK Biochar Research Centre, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Crew Building, Alexander Crum Brown Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF UK.
Abstract:
The composition of biomass feedstock and pyrolysis parameters, such as temperature, heating rate, and residence time, are key factors that affect the distribution and properties of pyrolysis products and are among the most extensively studied. However, the pyrolysis atmosphere also plays a crucial role in determining process efficiency and product quality. This review examines the effects of various pyrolysis atmospheres on biochar yields and properties, and also considers impacts on pyrolysis gases and liquids. While nitrogen is commonly used in research, the demand for biochar with specific properties like increased porosity and functionality has led to exploring alternative atmospheres such as steam, oxidative, pyrolysis gas, carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia. These alternatives can produce biochar with the desired characteristics in a single step, bypassing the need for multiple modifications. This review provides an overview of these pyrolysis atmosphere options, their applications, advantages, and potential challenges. Future research directions are also identified and highlighted, offering a roadmap for advancing biochar production technology.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42773-026-00626-8.
Related Concept Videos
Production of Organic Acids
Bioremediation
Bioreactor Controls-II
Microbes and Climate Change
Designing Growth Media for Bioreactors
Fates of Pyruvate
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...

