Exploring the benefits of biochar

As results time looms close at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, Peter Flynn exhibited Talamh Dubh, a charcoal retort for use in the home to several passers by.

The St Patrick’s College Transition Year Student described the project to The Anglo-Celt.

Holding the retort on his stand, Peter outlined how it enables people to produce biochar in the fireplaces of households.

“Biochar when appropriately prepared benefits soil mixtures and how it enhances germination.

“I also talk about carbon sequestration and how biochar plays a big part in locking in carbon.”

“I also investigate the diversion of food waste streams into a longer term carbon sequestration scenario.”

He concluded that biochar can be used in the garden and by farmers to benefit soil mixtures and plants.

The idea has been tried and tested at home.

“I have been doing it for years with my dad at home,” he explained.

“We’re very involved with composting and growing stuff in our garden and over the years Dad has been tipping around the garden and telling me stuff.

“The more I’ve gotten older the more I’ve started to listen and I guess I started to get more interested.

“BT Young Scientist came up and I said why not do it on something I know of and really enjoy.”

Peter said the experience so far has been “great”.

“It’s my first time here and I've made tonnes of friends around me.”