Augusta, Ga. – A small-scale device that may be used by a homeowner to improve soil fertility has been created by two Augusta State students. Alexander Bauer, with the help of Jeremy Robinson, began the research for their BioChar Project in summer 2009 and constructed the biochar device last semester.

“This has been generating increasing interest in the developed world for about three decades.  This interest has two aspects: first, the agricultural benefits, and second, the possibility of sequestering carbon in the soil long-term,” says Charlotte Christy, associate professor in the Department of Biology. Dr. Christy and Hauke Busch, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, are the students’ supervisors for this project.

The device, now in its experimental stage, will make fine particles of charcoal from partly burnt vegetation, which will then be incorporated into the soil. “Charcoal decays very slowly and improves the soil’s ability to support plant life,” says Dr. Christy.

With the home-use-size BioChar device, homeowners who may have a lot of sand or clay will be able to use the device to add the charcoal to their yards. Dr. Christy states that by adding the charcoal, it increases the ability of sandy soil to hold water and mineral fertilizers, improving the oxygen levels in the clay.

“If Alexander’s device proves workable and efficient, I hope that either he or another student will be able to use it to generate enough biochar for a small demonstration project on campus,” says Dr. Christy.

Mr. Bauer will be presenting his findings during the Phi Kappa Phi Student Research and Fine Arts Conference on Wednesday, March 10, from 11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in ASU’s Jaguar Student Activities Center Ballroom. For more information, call ASU’s Office of Public Relations and Publications at 706-737-1444.
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