Biochar studies in Finland

Biochar has been intensively studied in Finland during the past decade, resulting in constantly increasing number of  peer-reviewed papers published. In order to make it easier to find the papers, we have listed the Finnish biochar articles on this page, sorted by date of publishing. 

Additionally, as our research group is focusing also on the recycling of lake sediments to agriculture, we have collected also papers on this topic to the list. 

All the papers here fulfill the following criteria:

a) the papers target the use of biochar or sediments as soil amendment material
b) the publications have been peer-reviewed.
c) the research was conducted in Finland.
 
Should you know biochar/sediment recycling papers from Finland that have not yet been added to the list, please contact us!

2011

• Karhu, K., Mattila, T., Bergström, I., & Regina, K. (2011). Biochar addition to agricultural soil increased CH4 uptake and water holding capacity–Results from a short-term pilot field study. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 140 (1), 309–313.

• Dumroese, R. K., Heiskanen, J., Englund, K., & Tervahauta, A. (2011). Pelleted biochar: Chemical and physical properties show potential use as a substrate in container nurseries. Biomass and Bioenergy, 35(5), 2018-2027.

2012

• Mattila, T., Grönroos, J., Judl, J., & Korhonen, M. R. (2012). Is biochar or straw-bale construction a better carbon storage from a life cycle perspective? Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 90 (6), 452–458.  

• Tammeorg, P., Brandstaka, T., Simojoki, A. & Helenius, J. (2012). The response of N mineralisation dynamics of meat bone meal and cattle manure to the application of softwood chips biochar in soil. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 103 (01), 19–30. PDF full text. Erratum  Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 105, 72.

2013

• Heiskanen, J., Tammeorg, P., & Dumroese, R. K. (2013). Growth of Norway spruce seedlings after transplanting into silty soil amended with biochar: a bioassay in a growth chamber. Journal of Forest Science, 59 (3), 125–129.

• Saarnio, S., Heimonen, K., & Kettunen, R. (2013). Biochar addition indirectly affects N2O emissions via soil moisture and plant N uptake. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 58, 99–106.

• Hagner, M., Penttinen, O.-P., Tiilikkala, K., & Setälä, H. (2013). The effects of biochar, wood vinegar and plants on glyphosate leaching and degradation. European Journal of Soil Biology, 58, 1–7. 

•  Kettunen, R. & Saarnio, S. (2013). Biochar can restrict N2O emissions and the risk of nitrogen leaching from an agricultural soil during the freeze-thaw period. Agricultural and Food Science, 22, 373–379. 

2014

• Tammeorg, P., Simojoki, A., Mäkelä, P., Stoddard, F. L., Alakukku, L., & Helenius, J. (2014). Biochar application to a fertile sandy clay loam in boreal conditions: effects on soil properties and yield formation of wheat, turnip rape and faba bean. Plant and Soil, 374, 89–107. doi: 10.1007/s11104-013-1851-5. Erratum Plant and Soil, 379, 389–390.

• Soinne, H., Hovi, J., Tammeorg, P., Turtola, E., & Helenius, J., (2014). The effect of softwood biochar on phosphorus sorption and clay soil aggregate stability. Geoderma, 219–220, 162–167. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2013.12.022.

•  Tammeorg, P., Simojoki, A., Mäkelä, P., Stoddard, F. L., Alakukku, L., & Helenius, J. (2014). Short-term effects of biochar on soil properties and wheat yield formation with meat bone meal and inorganic fertiliser on a boreal loamy sand. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 191, 108–116. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.01.007.

• Tammeorg, P., Parviainen, T., Nuutinen, V., Simojoki, A., Vaara, E., & Helenius, J. (2014). Effects of biochar on earthworms in arable soil: avoidance test and field trial in boreal loamy sand. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 191, 150–157. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.02.023.
• Tammeorg, P. (2014). Softwood biochar as a soil amendment material for boreal agriculture. Doctoral thesis. University of Helsinki.

2015

• Niemi, R. M., Heiskanen, I., & Saarnio, S. (2015). Weak effects of biochar amendment on soil enzyme activities in mesocosms in bare or Phleum pratense soil. Boreal Environment Research, 20(3).

• Hagner, M., Hallman, S., Jauhiainen, L., Kemppainen, R., Rämö, S., Tiilikkala, K., & Setälä, H. (2015). Birch (Betula spp.) wood biochar is a potential soil amendment to reduce glyphosate leaching in agricultural soils. Journal of Environmental Management, 164, 46-52.

2016

• Kuoppamäki, K., Hagner, M., Lehvävirta, S., & Setälä, H. (2016). Biochar amendment in the green roof substrate affects runoff quality and quantity. Ecological Engineering, 88, 1-9.  

• Hagner, M., Kemppainen, R., Jauhiainen, L., Tiilikkala, K., & Setälä, H. (2016). The effects of birch (Betula spp.) biochar and pyrolysis temperature on soil properties and plant growth. Soil and Tillage Research, 163, 224-234. 

• Laakso, J., Uusitalo, R., & Yli-Halla, M. (2016). Phosphorus speciation in agricultural catchment soils and in fresh and dried sediments of five constructed wetlands. Geoderma, 271, 18-26.

• Kuoppamäki, K., & Lehvävirta, S. (2016). Mitigating nutrient leaching from green roofs with biochar. Landscape and Urban Planning, 152, 39-48.
   
  
  

2017

• Deng, B., Tammeorg, P., Luukkanen, O., Helenius, J., & Starr, M. (2017). Effects of Acacia seyal and biochar on soil properties and sorghum yield in agroforestry systemsin South Sudan. Agroforestry Systems, 91, 137-148.

• Tammeorg, P., Bastos, A. C., Jeffery, S., Rees, F., Kern, J., Graber, E., Ventura, M., Kibblewhite, M., Amaro, A., Budai, A., Cordovil, C. M. d. S., Domene, X., Gardin, G., Gasco, G., Horak, J., Kammann, C., Kondrlova, E., Laird, D., Loureiro, S., Martins, M. A. S., Panzacchi, P., Prasad, M., Prodana, M., Puga, A. P., Ruysschaert, G., Sas-Paszt, L., Silva, F. C., Teixeira, W. G., Tonon, G., Vedove, G. D., Zavalloni, C., Glaser, B., Verheijen, F. G. A. (2017). Biochars in soils: towards the required level of scientific understanding. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management. 25, 192-207.

 

• Laakso, J., Uusitalo, R., Heikkinen, J., & Yli-Halla, M. (2017). Phosphorus in agricultural constructed wetland sediment is sparingly plant‐available. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 180(5), 554-562.
   
  Laakso, J., Uusitalo, R., Leppänen, J., & Yli-Halla, M. (2017). Sediment from agricultural constructed wetland immobilizes soil phosphorus. Journal of environmental quality, 46(2), 356-363. 
   

• Hyväluoma, J., Kulju, S., Hannula, M., Wikberg, H., Källi, A., & Rasa, K. (2017). Quantitative characterization of pore structure of several biochars with 3D imaging. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-11.
   

• Kern, J., Tammeorg, P., Shanskiy, M., Sakrabani, R., Knicker, H., Kammann, C., Tuhkanen, E.M., Smidt, G., Prasad, M., Tiilikkala, K. & Sohi, S., 2017. Synergistic use of peat and charred material in growing media–an option to reduce the pressure on peatlands? Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 25, 160-174.

• Verheijen, F.G., Mankasingh, U., Penizek, V., Panzacchi, P., Glaser, B., Jeffery, S., Bastos, A.C., Tammeorg, P., Kern, J., Zavalloni, C. & Zanchettin, G., 2017. Representativeness of European biochar research: part I–field experiments. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 25, 140-151. 

•  Kammann, C., Ippolito, J., Hagemann, N., Borchard, N., Cayuela, M.L., Estavillo, J.M., Fuertes-Mendizabal, T., Jeffery, S., Kern, J., Novak, J., Rasse, D., Saarnio, S., Schmidt, H.-P., Spokas, K. & Wrage-Mönnig, N. 2017. Biochar as a tool to reduce the agricultural greenhouse-gas burden–knowns, unknowns and future research needs. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 25, 114-139.

• Sakrabani, R., Kern, J., Mankasingh, U., Zavalloni, C., Zanchettin, G., Bastos, A.C., Tammeorg, P., Jeffery, S., Glaser, B. & Verheijen, F.G., 2017. Representativeness of European biochar research: part II–pot and laboratory studies. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 25, 152-159.

2018

• Palviainen, M., Berninger, F., Bruckman, V.J., Köster, K., de Assumpção, C.R.M., Aaltonen, H., Makita, N., Mishra, A., Kulmala, L., Adamczyk, B. and Zhou, X., 2018. Effects of biochar on carbon and nitrogen fluxes in boreal forest soil. Plant and Soil, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3568-y.
   
• Anasonye, F., Tammeorg, P., Parshintsev, J., Riekkola, M.-L., Tuomela, M. 2018. Role of Biochar and Fungi on PAH Sorption to Soil Rich in Organic Matter. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 229,  49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-018-3708-2.

• Siipola, V., Tamminen, T., Källi, A., Lahti, R., Romar, H., Rasa, K., Keskinen, R., Hyväluoma, J., Hannula, M. and Wikberg, H., 2018. Effects of Biomass Type, Carbonization Process, and Activation Method on the Properties of Bio-Based Activated Carbons. BioResources, 13(3), pp.5976-6002.

• Hyväluoma, J., Kulju, S., Hannula, M., Wikberg, H., Källi, A. and Rasa, K., 2018. Quantitative characterization of pore structure of several biochars with 3D imaging. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(26), pp.25648-25658.

• Hyväluoma, J., Hannula, M., Arstila, K., Wang, H., Kulju, S. and Rasa, K., 2018. Effects of pyrolysis temperature on the hydrologically relevant porosity of willow biochar. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 134, 446-453.

•  Rasa, K., Heikkinen, J., Hannula, M., Arstila, K., Kulju, S., Hyväluoma, J., 2018. How and why does willow biochar increase a clay soil water retention capacity? Biomass and Bioenergy,
  119, 346-353.

• Saarnio, S., Räty, M., Hyrkäs, M. and Virkajärvi, P., 2018. Biochar addition changed the nutrient content and runoff water quality from the top layer of a grass field during simulated snowmelt. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 265, pp.156-165.

2019

•  Heikkinen, J., Keskinen, R., Soinne H., Hyväluoma J., Nikama J, Wikberg H., Källi A., Siipola V., Melkior T., Dupont C., Campargue M., Larsson S.H., Hannula M., Rasa K. 2019.
  Possibilities to improve soil aggregate stability using biochars derived from various biomasses through slow pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, or torrefaction. Geoderma, 344, 40-49.

•  Keskinen, R., Hyväluoma, J., Sohlo, L. and Rasa, K., 2019. Fertilizer and soil conditioner value of broiler manure biochars. Biochar, 1(3), pp.259-270.
   

• Deng, B., Bada, B., Tammeorg, P., Helenius, J., Luukkanen, O., & Starr, M. (2019). Drought stress and Acacia seyal biochar effects on sorghum gas exchange and yield: A greenhouse experiment. Agriculture and Natural Resources, 53(6), 573-580.
  
  

  2020

•  Turunen, M., Hyväluoma, J., Heikkinen, J., Keskinen, R., Kaseva, J., Hannula, M. and Rasa, K., 2020. Quantifying the pore structure of different biochars and their impacts on the water retention properties of Sphagnum moss growing media. Biosystems Engineering, 191, pp.96-106.

•  Kiani, M., Tammeorg, P., Niemistö, J., Simojoki, A., & Tammeorg, O. (2020). Internal phosphorus loading in a small shallow Lake: Response after sediment removal. Science of The Total Environment, 138279. 
  
  
• Saarela, T., Lafdani, E. K., Laurén, A., Pumpanen, J., & Palviainen, M. (2020). Biochar as adsorbent in purification of clear‑cut forest runoff water: adsorption rate and adsorption capacity. Biochar. 
  
  
• Zhu, X., Zhu, T., Pumpanen, J., Palviainen, M., Zhou, X., Kulmala, L., Bruckman, V.J., Köster, E., Köster, K., Aaltonen, H. & Berninger, F. (2020). Short-term effects of biochar on soil CO 2 efflux in boreal Scots pine forests. Annals of Forest Science, 77(2), 1-15.
  

• Soinne, H., Keskinen, R., Heikkinen, J., Hyväluoma, J., Uusitalo, R., Peltoniemin, K., Velmala, S., Pennanen, T., Fritze, H., Kaseva, J., Hannula, M., Rasa, K. 2020. Are there environmental or agricultural benefits in using forest residue biochar in boreal agricultural clay soil? Science of the Total Environment, 138955. 

• Keskinen, R., Suojala-Ahlfors, T., Sarvi, M., Hagner, M., Kaseva, J., Salo, T., ... & Rasa, K. (2020). Granulated broiler manure based organic fertilizers as sources of plant available nitrogen. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 18, 100734.

• Saarnio, S., & Kettunen, R. (2020). Biochar addition affected nutrient leaching and litter decomposition rates in boreal sandy soils. Agricultural and Food Science, 29(4), 287-296.

• Heiskanen, J., Hagner, M., Ruhanen, H., & Mäkitalo, K. (2020). Addition of recyclable biochar, compost and fibre clay to the growth medium layer for the cover system of mine tailings: a bioassay in a greenhouse. Environmental Earth Sciences, 79(18), 1-16.
   

• Palviainen, M., Aaltonen, H., Laurén, A., Köster, K., Berninger, F., Ojala, A., & Pumpanen, J. (2020). Biochar amendment increases tree growth in nutrient-poor, young Scots pine stands in Finland. Forest Ecology and Management, 474, 118362.
   

2021

•  Kiani, M., Raave, H., Simojoki, A., Tammeorg, O. and Tammeorg, P., (2021). Recycling lake sediment to agriculture: Effects on plant growth, nutrient availability, and leaching. Science of The Total Environment, p.141984. 

 

• Köster, E., Pumpanen, J., Palviainen, M., Zhou, X., & Köster, K. (2021). Effect of biochar amendment on the properties of growing media and growth of containerized Norway spruce, Scots pine, and silver birch seedlings. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 51(999), 1-10.

 

•  Kalu, S., Oyekoya, G. N., Ambus, P., Tammeorg, P., Simojoki, A., Pihlatie, M., & Karhu, K. (2021). Effects of two wood-based biochars on the fate of added fertilizer nitrogen—a 15 N tracing study. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 57, 457-470

 

•   Turunen, M., Urbano-Tenorio, F., Rasa, K., Hyväluoma, J., Rytkönen, P., Kaseva, J., ... & Jyske, T. (2021). How clonal differences and within-tree heterogeneity affect pore properties of hybrid aspen wood and biochar?. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 1-13.

 

•   Rasa, K., Viherä-Aarnio, A., Rytkönen, P., Hyväluoma, J., Kaseva, J., Suhonen, H., & Jyske, T. (2021). Quantitative analysis of feedstock structural properties can help to produce willow biochar with homogenous pore system. Industrial Crops and Products, 166, 113475.

 

•  Sarvi, M., Hagner, M., Velmala, S., Soinne, H., Uusitalo, R., Keskinen, R., ... & Rasa, K. (2021). Bioavailability of phosphorus in granulated and pyrolyzed broiler manure. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 101584.

 

• Keskinen, R., Nikama, J., Kaseva, J., & Rasa, K. (2021). Feasibility of Nitrogen-Enriched Chars as Circular Fertilizers. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 12(12), 6823-6833.
   

• Karhu, K., Kalu, S., Seppänen, A., Kitzler, B., & Virtanen, E. (2021). Potential of biochar soil amendments to reduce N leaching in boreal field conditions estimated using the resin bag method. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 316, 107452.

•   Kalu, S., Simojoki, A., Karhu, K.,  & Tammeorg, P. (2021). Long-term effects of softwood biochar on soil physicalproperties, greenhouse gas emissions and crop nutrient uptake in twocontrasting boreal soils. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 316: 107454.

• Tammeorg, P., Soronen, P., Riikonen, A., Salo, E., Tikka, S., Koivunen, M., Salonen, A.-R., Kopakkala, T. & Jalas, M. (2021). Co-Designing Urban Carbon Sink Parks: Case Carbon Lane in Helsinki. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 346.

•  Kinnunen, N., Laurén, A. A., Pumpanen, J., Nieminen, T. M., & Palviainen, M. (2021). Biochar Capacity to Mitigate Acidity and Adsorb Metals—Laboratory Tests for Acid Sulfate Soil Drainage Water. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 232(11), 1-14.

• Kuoppamäki, K., Setälä, H., & Hagner, M. (2021). Nutrient dynamics and development of soil fauna in vegetated roofs with the focus on biochar amendment. Nature-Based Solutions, 1, 100001. 
  

• Hagner, M., Uusitalo, M., Ruhanen, H., Heiskanen, J., Peltola, R., Tiilikkala, K., ... & Mäkitalo, K. (2021). Amending mine tailing cover with compost and biochar: effects on vegetation establishment and metal bioaccumulation in the Finnish subarctic. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(42), 59881-59898.
   

2022  

• Heiskanen, J., Ruhanen, H., & Hagner, M. (2022). Effects of compost, biochar and ash mixed in till soil cover of mine tailings on plant growth and bioaccumulation of elements: A growing test in a greenhouse. Heliyon, e08838. 
  

• Kalu, S., Kulmala, L., Zrim, J., Peltokangas, K., Tammeorg, P., Rasa, K., ... & Karhu, K. (2022). Potential of biochar to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase nitrogen use efficiency in boreal arable soils in the long-term. Frontiers in Environmental Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.914766
• Xie, L., Timonen, S., Gange, A. C., Kuoppamäki, K., Hagner, M., & Lehvävirta, S. (2022). Effect of weather conditions, substrate pH, biochar amendment and plant species on two plant growth-promoting microbes on vegetated roofs and facades. Heliyon, e09560.

•  Luhas, J., Marttila, M, Leppäkoski, L., Mikkilä, M., Uusitalo, V., & Linnanen, L.  (2022). A financial and environmental sustainability of circular bioeconomy: A case study of short rotation coppice, biochar and greenhouse production in southern Finland. Biomass and Bioenergy, 163, 106524.

• Qu, Z. L., Li, X. L., Ge, Y., Palviainen, M., Zhou, X., Heinonsalo, J., ... & Sun, H. (2022). The impact of biochar on wood-inhabiting bacterial community and its function in a boreal pine forest. Environmental microbiome, 17(1), 1-15.
   
• Kalu, S. (2022). Long-term effects of biochars as a soil amendment in boreal agricultural soils. Doctoral thesis. University of Helsinki. 

•  Kulmala, L., Peltokangas, K., Heinonsalo, J., Pihlatie, M., Laurila, T., Liski, J., & Lohila, A.  (2022).  Effects of biochar and ligneous soil amendments on greenhouse gas exchange during extremely dry growing season in a Finnish cropland. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 414.

   

   

  2023
  

 

•  Kiani, M., Zrim, J., Simojoki, A., Tammeorg, O., Penttinen, P., Markkanen, T., & Tammeorg, P. (2023). Recycling eutrophic lake sediments into grass production: A four-year field experiment on agronomical and environmental implications. Science of The Total Environment, 161881.

•  Bolan, S., Hou, D., Wang, L., Hale, L., Egamberdieva, D., Tammeorg, P., ... & Bolan, N. (2023). The potential of biochar as a microbial carrier for agricultural and environmental applications. Science of The Total Environment, 163968.

• Koivusalo, H., Dubovik, M., Wendling, L., Assmuth, E., Sillanpää, N., & Kokkonen, T. (2023). Performance of Sand and Mixed Sand–Biochar Filters for Treatment of Road Runoff Quantity and Quality. Water, 15(8), 1631.

•  Kiani, M. (2023). Closing the phosphorus cycle by recycling lake sediments in agriculture. Doctoral thesis. University of Helsinki. 

• Ge, Y., Li, X. L., Palviainen, M., Zhou, X., Heinonsalo, J., Berninger, F., ... & Sun, H. (2023). Response of soil bacterial community to biochar application in a boreal pine forest. Journal of Forestry Research, 34(3), 749-759.

•   Kinnunen, N., Laurén, A., Pumpanen, J., Nieminen, T. M., & Palviainen, M. (2023). Purification of Acid Sulfate Soil Runoff Water Using Biochar: a Meso-Scale Laboratory Experiment. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 234(8), 506.

• Hanssen, K. H., Bruckman, V. J., Gundale, M., Indriksons, A., Ingerslev, M., Kaivapalu, M., ... & Varnagiryte-Kabasinskiene, I. (2023). Biochar in forestry. Status in the Nordic-Baltic countries. NIBIO Rapport.

•  Kuoppamäki, K., Prass, M., & Hagner, M. (2023). Crushed concrete and biochar: A sustainable solution for vegetated roofs. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 88, 128082.

2024

 

• Kalu, S., Seppänen, A., Mganga, K. Z., Sietiö, O. M., Glaser, B., & Karhu, K. (2024). Biochar reduced the mineralization of native and added soil organic carbon: evidence of negative priming and enhanced microbial carbon use efficiency. Biochar, 6(1), 7.

 

• Mosquera, V., Gundale, M. J., Palviainen, M., Laurén, A., Laudon, H., & Hasselquist, E. M. (2024). Biochar as a potential tool to mitigate nutrient exports from managed boreal forest: A laboratory and field experiment. GCB Bioenergy, 16(3), e13131.
   

• Saarnio, S., Kekkonen, H., & Lång, K. (2024). Addition of softwood biochar did not reduce N2O emissions or N leaching from peat soil in the short term. Science of The Total Environment, 173906.