[Terrapreta] Charcoal is hydrophobic

[Brian Hans]

Hi group,
   
  Say... Something that has been bothering me for a while now. Humic acid and charcoal are both hydrophobic. Yet, I am constantly reading about how humic acid (and charcoal) holds soil moisture. 
   
  Here is a study talking about this aspect of humic acid. I was not able to find a study that specifically talks about charcoal but I am assuming that the same hold. This actually makes alot of sense from a chemistry point of view.
   
  I personally have not conducted a formal study for myself but have handled enough charcoal and humic acids to believe that adding charcoal/humic acid to a soil will actually decrease the water holding capacity of the soil. 
   
  Im looking for some comments...
   
  Brian Hans
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