Abstract

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass pyrolysis, is increasingly recognized for its potential to enhance long-term carbon storage in soils through interactions with minerals. These interactions, including sorption, occlusion, and organo-mineral complexation, stabilize biochar and protect it from microbial decomposition. This article synthesizes current knowledge on biochar–mineral interactions, focusing on their mechanisms, influencing factors, and implications for carbon sequestration. Using a combination of laboratory experiments, field studies, and modeling, we demonstrate that biochar’s stability is enhanced by clay minerals and metal oxides, which form protective complexes. Results show that biochar–mineral interactions can increase carbon residence times by 50–100 years compared to unamended soils. We discuss the role of soil properties, biochar characteristics, and environmental conditions in modulating these interactions. The findings underscore biochar’s potential as a sustainable tool for carbon sequestration, with implications for climate change mitigation and soil health.