Coal char and algae soil amendment for enhanced soil productivity and carbon capture
A cost-effective soil amendment combining pyrolyzed coal residues (coal char) with terrestrial algae to boost organic carbon, water retention, and ion exchange capacity. This carbon-neutral solution improves marginal soil productivity and offers an alternative market for coal beyond electricity generation.
Overview
This solution combines pyrolyzed coal residues (coal char) with terrestrial algae sourced from biotic soil crusts to create an innovative soil amendment. Coal char serves as an economical alternative to biochar, while algae acts as a biogenic fertilizer. Together, they dramatically increase the organic carbon content, water retention, and ion exchange capacity of soils. The combination represents a cost-effective, carbon-neutral approach to soil improvement, with the added benefit of providing a high-volume alternative market for coal beyond thermal electricity generation. Algae also serves as a high-volume capture agent of CO2, further enhancing the environmental value of the amendment.
Technical specifications
- Coal char as organic carbon source: Pyrolyzed coal residues provide a stable, economical organic carbon source that improves soil structure and chemistry.
- Terrestrial algae as biogenic fertilizer: Algae sourced from biotic soil crusts contribute nutrients and biological activity to amended soils.
- Improved soil properties: Increased organic carbon content, enhanced water retention, and greater ion exchange capacity compared to untreated marginal soils.
- Algae survival and proliferation: Desiccated algae applied to soils have been shown to survive and proliferate, supporting long-term soil biological activity.
- Application versatility: Suitable for use with rangeland grasses and potentially other crops in marginal soil environments.
Technology readiness level
The technology has progressed through laboratory, greenhouse, and field validation. Laboratory tests have confirmed increased water retention and ion exchange in coal char-amended soils. Greenhouse and field trials have demonstrated increased and accelerating biomass accumulation over two growing seasons using rangeland grasses as a model. Current and future validation efforts include more extensive field trials incorporating algae, monitoring of physical, chemical, and biotic soil properties, and longitudinal analysis of algae fate in the soil column. Complementary laboratory and greenhouse experiments will further characterize amended soil composition and properties.
About University of Wyoming
A comprehensive public land‑grant university serving Wyoming from its Laramie campus and regional sites. Industry engages through co‑located high‑bay and pilot‑scale facilities, field stations across the state, and an incubator network that provides mentorship and startup space. A partnership with a national supercomputing center in Cheyenne enables advanced modeling, visualization, and large‑dataset workflows, while the extension network connects companies to talent and end users in every county. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, DOE, USDA, and NIH, alongside state and industry collaboration. A dedicated technology transfer office advises on IP, licensing, and commercialization.
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