[Terrapreta] Florida Sand

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Adrianna,

I was just writing to Robert Klein about the importance of not releasing methane (CH4) when charcoal is made from biomass.  My argument to him hinges on the fact that CH4 is a much more potent GHG than CO2 (62 times the GHG effect as CO2), so releasing even small amounts of CH4 from one of his proposed "open air", earthen mound, charcoal kilns (let's say only ~2-3%), can completely obliterate any benefits from burying all of the charcoal that could be produced by the kiln.  In fact, the process would be 10-15 times worse for the fight against atmospheric GHG, than any benefit derived from forming TP.

Now, I see your note to Jim Oliver about reduced nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.  Nitrous oxide is another extremely potent green house gas (244 times the GHG effect as CO2!).  Has anyone at BEST or have you ever heard of anyone who has attempted to quantify nitrous oxide emissions reduction?

I presume the N2O emissions reductions come from using less industrially produced fertilizer and applying that fertilizer which is used, into charcoal amended soil, which supposedly, because of the increase in microorganism activity and the overall increase in soil organic matter, can "hold" the nitrogen better than un-amended soil?

If the N2O reductions are significant in terms of percentage, then it may still be possible to reduce the GHG effect, and still make charcoal for "Neo Terra Preta", using simple "open-air" charcoal kilns and retorts, that will release CH4.  The benefits of the N2O reduction in agricultural areas that release large amounts of N2O could override the detriment of making the charcoal and releasing the CH4.

Does this make any sense to you?

Regards,

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Adriana Downie<mailto:adriana at bestenergies.com.au> 
  To: 'James Oliver'<mailto:joliver at abs-usa.com> 
  Cc: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Monday, August 27, 2007 6:49 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Florida Sand


  Hi Jim,

   

  We have done trials on some Australian sandy soil with good yield results. We have found with trials we do on 'good' soils that there is much less significant or no improvement in yields, however there is still a significant increase in fertiliser use efficiency and a decrease in nitrous oxide emissions. This work has been done in collaboration with the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and publications of these results are on the way. 

   

  Regards,

  Adriana Downie

  BEST Energies Australia

   

  -----Original Message-----
  From: James Oliver [mailto:joliver at abs-usa.com] 
  Sent: Tuesday, 28 August 2007 5:01 AM
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
  Subject: [Terrapreta] Florida Sand

   

  Does anyone know of any trials of biochar on Florida sands?

   

  Is it true that biochar is un-likely to improve yields in soils that are pretty good already (loams)?

   

  I would like to see more results on crop yields can anyone point me to links?  

   

  Jim

   

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