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COCONINO VOICES

Coconino Voices: Studying the effects of biochar in Flagstaff

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Coconino County, the U.S. Forest Service and the Ecological Restoration Institute tested a new machine for eliminating the biomass from thinning efforts in 2023. The "biochar" produced by the machine could be sold and used in a myriad of ways. 

The Flagstaff Water Group (FWG) is a group of five local scientists and engineers which is deeply concerned about water quality and availability. Over the past two years, we have been studying biochar because of its ability to remove hazardous contaminants from wastewater, especially cancer-causing compounds. We’ve concluded that biochar has a great future for wastewater processing in Flagstaff and elsewhere.

Biochar can be made from wood (forest thinning wastes), other organics and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) biosolids. Biochar differs from charcoal as it is heated to higher temperatures (750+F) without air. As an agricultural soil-additive, biochar holds water and nutrients until the plants need those elements whereupon the roots take up the stored water and nutrients. If not burned biochar lasts indefinitely and can earn Carbon Sequestration Credits.



The Flagstaff Water Group consists of Ward Davis, Rob Vane, Bryan Bates, John Nauman and Robert Breunig.



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