Exploring Biochar's Potential: Dartmouth's Innovative Carbon Sequestration Research

Dartmouth Earth Sciences Professor Mukul Sharma is leading groundbreaking research into biochar, a promising tool in the fight against climate change. Created by heating agricultural and forest waste in a low-oxygen environment—a process known as torrefaction—biochar is a carbon-rich material that holds immense potential. It sequesters carbon, enhances soil fertility, and serves as a renewable energy source.

At the Dartmouth Organic Farm, Ben Cavanagh '27, one of Professor Sharma's students, is bringing this research to life. Ben monitors a biomass torrefaction reactor, which transforms waste materials into biochar. The process not only captures and stores atmospheric carbon but also produces a byproduct that can enrich soils and improve crop yields, making it a sustainable addition to agricultural practices.

By exploring the versatile applications of biochar, Professor Sharma and his team are working at the intersection of science, sustainability, and real-world impact. To learn more about this fascinating work, check out the story in the Valley News.