[Terrapreta] Florida Sand

[Adriana Downie]

Sean,
 
Yes we have done some experimental work looking at nitrous oxide
emissions of soils amended with our chars in collaboration with the NSW
DPI. In laboratory incubation experiments with some char types we saw
huge reductions and in others we saw very little effect, these results
should be published by the end of the year. We also have a field trial
where we are measuring emissions. The new IPCC value for nitrous oxide
is 310 times that of CO2 and yes this does overwhelm all other factors
(renewable energy production and carbon sequestration) when we look at
the balances (I haven't looked at how this adds up with earthen mound
set-ups as this is a non-starter in my opinion). 
 
The problem is that the soil emissions are notoriously difficult to
measure and therefore account for. With so many variables to be taken
into consideration, soil type, char type, char manufacture conditions,
crop type, climate, fertiliser regime, tillage, rotations...predicting
the GHG balance of any system is very challenging.
 
Regards,
Adriana Downie
BEST Energies 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Sean K. Barry [mailto:sean.barry at juno.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, 28 August 2007 3:11 PM
To: 'James Oliver'; Adriana Downie
Cc: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Florida Sand
 
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 <mailto:joliver at abs-usa.com>  Oliver' 
Cc: 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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