Pine Needles is one of a Forest Fire Hazard? Then, Turn Them into Biochar to Save The Water and Nature!

In the Himalayan mountain region, there's a type of waste often seen as insignificant, yet it has a major impact on the environment: dry pine needles. These sharp needles may look picturesque when covering the forest floor, but unfortunately, they are a major cause of forest fires, soil pollution, and reduced groundwater absorption.

Thick layers of fallen pine needles can remain on the ground for months, as they decompose very slowly. As a result:

• Rainwater struggles to seep into the soil,

• Grass and understory plants can’t grow,

• The soil becomes acidic and contaminated,

• And worst of all: they’re highly flammable, causing intense wildfires during the summer season.

However, behind this problem lies a powerful solution: transforming pine needles into biochar.

What Is Biochar and Why Does It Matter?

Biochar is a special type of charcoal made by burning organic waste—such as pine needles, rice husks, or straw—in a low-oxygen environment (a process called pyrolysis). Unlike ordinary charcoal, biochar is rich in carbon, highly porous, and extremely stable in the environment.

Interestingly, biochar can also help remove heavy metals from water, such as lead (Pb), a dangerous contaminant frequently found in rivers and wells across many regions, including India.

From Fallen Needles to Heavy Metal Filters

In a recent study, pine needles that had been on the forest floor for about a month were collected from the Himalayan region and slowly burned at various temperatures (350–750 °C). The optimal result came from 550 °C, producing a high-quality biochar known as PNBC550.

This biochar was tested for its ability to absorb lead from water—both in lab settings and in column flow systems (similar to mini water filters). The results were impressive:

• PNBC550 had a surface area of up to 230.9 m²/gram—just one gram can filter an incredibly wide area!

• It absorbed lead most effectively at pH 5 (slightly acidic conditions).

• Its performance improved at warmer temperatures, suggesting it works well in tropical climates.

• Up to 93% of the absorbed lead could be recovered, meaning the biochar can be reused.

Solving Two Major Problems at Once

What makes this approach remarkable is its ability to tackle two serious issues simultaneously:

1. Managing pine needle waste, which has long been a source of environmental disasters.

2. Purifying water from hazardous heavy metals like lead—which, if consumed over time, can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system.

To illustrate, the World Health Organization (WHO) sets the safe limit for lead in water at 10 micrograms per liter. Yet in India, some rivers have been found to contain nearly 50 micrograms per liter—five times the safe threshold.

A Big Opportunity for the Future

Imagine if the abundant pine needle waste could be used to produce biochar:

• Forests would be cleaner and less prone to fires,

• Soil would absorb rainwater more easily,

• Contaminated water could be naturally filtered,

• And local communities could benefit economically from biochar production.

With abundant natural resources and simple technology, this solution is highly adaptable—even in countries like Indonesia, which also has vast pine forests.

Waste or Opportunity? The Choice Is Ours

Pine needles, once considered dangerous waste, can now become a powerful tool to protect forests and clean water. By turning them into biochar, we don’t just prevent wildfires—we help protect human health and build a more sustainable future for our planet.

Discover more about SAWA’s innovative biochar production and its impact on sustainable farming.

Explore SAWA Biochar