Dr. Hamed Sanei

Abstract:

Biochar has increasingly gained attention as a transformative tool in the global effort to mitigate climate change, offering a scientifically grounded and scalable approach to carbon dioxide removal and long-term carbon sequestration. While much of the discourse around biochar has focused on its agricultural applications and short-term carbon benefits, this presentation shifts the lens to a deeper and more enduring dimension: the geological framework that underpins biochar’s capacity for permanent carbon storage. We explore how insights from the geological sciences, particularly organic petrology and geochemistry, have opened new frontiers in understanding the mechanisms that govern biochar stability, carbonization, and persistence in natural and engineered systems.

This work draws on pioneering studies that apply geological methodologies to assess the physical and chemical transformation of biomass into stable carbon forms. Through detailed analysis of maceral compositions, reflectance properties, and thermochemical behavior, we demonstrate how geological indicators, such as the inertinite benchmark, provide a robust standard for evaluating biochar permanence. Furthermore, we introduce advanced thermal oxidation and kinetic models that quantify the resistance of biochar to degradation over centennial and millennial timescales, reinforcing its credibility as a long-lived carbon sink.

By integrating these geological principles with cutting-edge analytical techniques, we offer a new paradigm for classifying, certifying, and ultimately crediting biochar in voluntary and compliance-based carbon markets. This presentation underscores the indispensable role of geoscience in elevating biochar from a promising soil amendment to a rigorously validated climate solution. In doing so, it reinforces the view that geology is not only relevant but foundational to establishing biochar as a cornerstone of durable and transparent climate strategies.