Permeable Biochar Pavement System for Flood Prevention

Biochar is a charcoal-like substance that’s made by pyrolyzing organic material. Biochar has previously been used as a soil supplement in agriculture to assist in water retention and absorb contaminates. More recently, biochar has been utilized and tested as an additive for pollution-absorbing concrete, and as an additive to plastics. Due to climate change, flooding is becoming a serious issue in many towns and cities due to the large amount of impermeable pavement surfaces. Biochar has water and pollution absorption capabilities while also being a means of sequestering carbon, making it a great material solution for designing a permeable paver system. The one in use for this project was made from wood scraps.