Evaluation of nutrient retention capacity in substrate with biochar addition: a review

Autores

  • Daniele de Andrade Villarim Lima
  • Denise Alves Fungaro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34188/bjaerv9n3-283

Palavras-chave:

biochar, nutrient retention, substrate alteration, urban roofs, green infrastructures

Resumo

Green roofs play an essential role in mitigating urban environmental impacts, but challenges related to nutrient leaching can compromise their agronomic efficiency and environmental performance. Biochar, a carbon-rich material obtained from the pyrolysis of organic residues, has emerged as a promising additive to improve the physical-chemical properties of green roof substrates. Its high porosity, surface area, and cation exchange capacity contribute to nutrient retention, pH buffering, water holding, and pollutant adsorption. This review aims to evaluate the scientific evidence on the use of biochar in green roof substrates, focusing on its effectiveness in retaining nutrients and reducing leaching losses. The methodology involved a literature review using the Scopus database, complemented by bibliometric analysis with the VOSviewer software to identify trends and research gaps. The studies reviewed indicate that biochar can reduce nitrate and sodium leaching by up to 70%, while improving substrate stability and long-term nutrient availability. Factors such as pyrolysis temperature, biomass type, and application rate were identified as critical to its performance. In addition to technical benefits, biochar also contributes to the circular economy by reusing organic waste and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). It is concluded that biochar is a viable solution to enhance nutrient retention in green roofs and to promote more sustainable urban infrastructure. However, future studies should address methodological gaps and validate its performance in real-scale systems.

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Publicado

2026-09-17

Como Citar

Lima, D. de A. V., & Fungaro, D. A. (2026). Evaluation of nutrient retention capacity in substrate with biochar addition: a review. Brazilian Journal of Animal and Environmental Research, 9(3), e89324. https://doi.org/10.34188/bjaerv9n3-283

Edição

v. 9 n. 3 (2026)

Seção

Artigos originais

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