Biochar emerges as a green clean-up champion, bibliometric study reveals

A new study published in Biochar presents a detailed bibliometric analysis showcasing the rapid growth and diverse applications of biochar as a sustainable environmental remediation tool. The research, which examined over 7,000 scientific publications from 2007 to 2023, underscores biochar’s potential in soil improvement, water purification, air quality control, and carbon sequestration. 

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced through pyrolysis of organic biomass, has evolved from a traditional soil amendment into a multifunctional tool for addressing modern environmental challenges. The study reveals a significant surge in research interest, with 71% of all relevant publications appearing in the last five years alone, reflecting its rising prominence in both academic and practical circles.

China leads global biochar research with 2,163 publications, followed by the United States and Australia. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) emerged as the most influential institution, contributing significantly to both fundamental and applied research. Key journals publishing biochar research include Science of the Total Environment, Chemosphere, and Environmental Science and Pollution Research.

“Our analysis confirms that biochar is not only effective in enhancing soil health and nutrient retention but also shows great promise in wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and integration with other green technologies,” said Dr. Bin Hu, corresponding author of the study and professor at Southwest University, China.

The study also identifies emerging trends, such as the use of modified and nano-enhanced biochars for targeted pollutant adsorption, the application of biochar in sustainable construction materials, and its role in circular economy models. Advanced characterization techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are increasingly used to understand biochar’s interactions with soils and contaminants.

Despite its potential, the authors note several challenges, including the lack of a standardized definition for biochar as a soil amendment in the U.S., limited long-term field studies, and the need for more interdisciplinary collaboration between soil scientists, geneticists, and environmental engineers.

The research team calls for stronger policy support, economic incentives, and international cooperation to scale up biochar implementation. They emphasize that biochar could play a critical role in achieving global sustainability goals, including climate mitigation, food security, and pollution reduction.

“Biochar is more than just a soil additive—it’s a versatile material that can help us address multiple environmental issues simultaneously,” said Dr. Hu. “With the right policies and continued innovation, biochar could become a cornerstone of green remediation strategies worldwide.”

The study also highlights the potential of biochar to synergize with phytoremediation and microbial degradation, offering a combined approach for contaminant removal and ecosystem restoration.

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Reference: Ngaba, M.J.Y., Yemele, O.M., Hu, B. et al. Biochar application as a green clean-up method: bibliometric analysis of current trends and future perspectives. Biochar 7, 83 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00470-2 

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Media Contact:
Wushuang Li
liwushuang@vip.126.com

About Biochar

Biochar is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field. 

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