In an extended abstract from the Proceedings of the 10th International Conference On Civil Structural and Transportation Engineering (ICCSTE 2025), researchers Aisha Al-Busaidi and Yasmine Souissi from Oman detail their study on carbon farming and biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More application using salinized water. The research, titled “Carbon Farming and Biochar Application Using Salinized Water in Oman,” addresses the need for sustainable agricultural practices in arid and semi-arid regions affected by salinization, water scarcity, and climate change. The study investigates using biochar—a by-product of biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More pyrolysis—in conjunction with carbon farming to improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase crop productivity. A key innovation of the project is the use of salinized water in biochar production, which transforms a limiting factor into a functional input.

The study outlines three main work packages. The first involved collecting and analyzing salinized water and then creating biochar from locally available biomass, such as date palm residues, through controlled pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More at temperatures between 350-600°C. The resulting biochar was then characterized to assess its physicochemical properties, including pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More, surface area, porosityPorosity of biochar is a key factor in its effectiveness as a soil amendment and its ability to retain water and nutrients. Biochar’s porosity is influenced by feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature, and it plays a crucial role in microbial activity and overall soil health. Biochar More, and elemental composition. This step was crucial for understanding how salinity might affect the quality of the biochar and its suitability as a soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More.

The second work package focused on field application and the interaction between soil and biochar under saline conditions. Researchers tested biochar-amended soils for improvements in bulk density, porosity, nutrient retention (cation exchange capacity), and microbial activity. Preliminary results from this phase were highly promising. The application of biochar was found to reduce soil electrical conductivity by 34% and increase the cation exchange capacity by 80%. Additionally, the study noted an 80% increase in microbial biomass carbon. These soil improvements had a direct impact on crop performance: mung bean crop yield improved by approximately 38%, and the soil’s water retention capacity increased by over 60%. These findings align with previous meta-analyses that have shown the benefits of biochar on soil productivity in various environments.

The final work package quantified the climate mitigation potential of the biochar application. Using dry combustion for carbon stock assessments and static chamber techniques for greenhouse gas flux measurements, the researchers analyzed gas samples to determine emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2​), methane (CH4​), and nitrous oxide (N2​O). Initial results indicate that biochar-treated soils showed a 30% reduction in CH4​ and a 35% reduction in N2​O emissions. This integrated approach supports Oman’s Vision 2040 by contributing to food security, environmental sustainability, and economic diversification.

The novelty of this research lies in its innovative use of saline water to produce biochar, which is a major breakthrough for agricultural practices in water-scarce, salt-affected regions like the Middle East. By turning a limiting factor (saline water) into a functional input, the study provides a scalable and climate-resilient farming practice. The findings provide actionable insights that could have a significant impact on food security and environmental sustainability in these challenging environments.

Source:Al-Busaidi, A., & Souissi, Y. (2025). Carbon Farming and Biochar Application Using Salinized Water in Oman. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference On Civil Structural and Transportation Engineering (ICCSTE 2025), 314