DIPLOMA THESIS Project “Biochar for carbon sequestration in soils: Analysis of production, biological effects in the soil and economics” (Klima und Energiefonds des Bundes) The application of biochar to soils is a promising technology to mitigate the greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon dioxide (CO2) by increasing long-term soil carbon sequestration. To evaluate this practice as a sustainable, future mitigation strategy, the soil-atmosphere flux of CO2 but also of potent non-CO2 greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N20) have to be considered. The Diplomthesis aims at evaluating GHG fluxes from biochar treated and non-treated soils in a field experiment. Our hypothesis is that biochar-treated and non-treated soils will show significant differences in soil GHG fluxes. Field site: The field site is situated in Traismauer (Lower Austria). Biochar (softwood : hardwood = 4:1) was applied on 16.03.2011. Measurement of GHG fluxes (field measurement) at biochar amended and control plots for one vegetation period: In order to see if soil GHG emissions change in biochar amended soils, CO2, N2O, CH4 emissions/uptake will be measured biweekly in the field. Chambers are covered with PVC hoods and gas samples are taken after 0, 5, 10 and 30 minutes. The closed chamber technique will be used and gas samples will be analyzed by gas-chromatography at the BFW, Vienna. Soil temperature, air temperature are recorded simultaneously. Soil moisture will be measured gravimetrically. For further information please contact: sophie.zechmeister@boku.ac.at at the BOKU, Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, Institute of Soil Research or barbara.kitzler@bfw.gv.at at the Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape (http://bfw.ac.at).