Biochar isn't only means for the amendment of soil fertility, but also good option for the reduction of atmosphere carbon (CO2, CH4). If there is a big factory for pyrolysis (and obtaining of biochar), but shortage of soil in vicinity, where biochar can be applied, won't it be a problem? If extra-enriching of soil with biochar deteriorate soil fetility, than produced biochar must be transported on certain distance, where it can be mixed with soil without negative effects for the soil.
P.S. Situation with big pyrolitic factory and shortage of soil can be assumed for wooded islands far from the mainland (for example).
The logistics of biochar can be related to the cost and infrastructure of distribution. If distributed in a decentralized energy and agricultural grid this will be lessened. In addition the alkaline nature of biochar will be most effective in areas of older acid soils where the liming will be part of the justification. The rates of application do not have to be massive as in initial experimentation aimed at determining an effect or not. I think your idea that massive centralized plants are part of an issue has some validity. Ideally the combined energy and soil improvement system would be decentralized and distributed contributing to a more reliable and effective renewable energy source while als address greenhouse gas issues.
Biochar Terra Preta soils was over 3 m deep having over 300,000 kg Carbon per hectare this would bode well for a huge ability to use biochar especially in very depleted acid infertile soils. Hani Atoun is right that more variable rate long term studies are needed under diverse soil conditions. That being said the capacity is huge.
For large surfaces this procedure may be too expensive. Regarding your specific question you may find an answer in the publication of Rees F.,Simonnot MO and Morel JL: Immobilisation des métaux lourds par le biochar: une nouvelle voie de remédier des sols pollués , Récents Progrès des procédés 104: 2013 (Internet)
When people make the appreciation of too expensive are they using what rate? And again how are they appreciating the energy revenue from a integrated system? Are a carbon credit calculated? Many of rates which people have used are very high and unnecessarily high. Then again the system as input may not make sense but as part of integrated system that is completely different. As climate change is becoming increasing clear what are the other options which can do what biochar can and how much is a stabilizing of world climate worth? And who will pay for it?
The biochar application had been used since before Christ and has been shown to have extremely long lasting and beneficial effects on the most infertile soils the tropical oxisols and ultisols. There is need to increase this technology especially in the tropical regions of acid soils. If we believe like I do that these are soils which can feed the growing population the added benefit is it can provide a framework to conclusively address greenhouse gas issues into the future. No small problem. Yes we need more studies but these should be applied ones on scales to make impacts and working in tropical environments where soils are so degraded.
For the specific case of a far-away island covered by forest we could use the woody biomass for other purposes than biochar if supply is greater than demand. It can be used as a construction material, furniture, cooking utensils, as fuel for electricity generation and cooking. We can produce paper from it, hydrolyse it and make bioethanol for cars or for parties.
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