[Terrapreta] compost and charcoal

[dyarrow at nycap.rr.com]

when the research is all done and written, i expect the judgment will be
that it is not char that reduces NOx emissions, but microbials.  char
provides habitat and housing for microbes that process and stabilize
soil N into non-volatile forms, and char is mostly passive in this
process.  complex, interactive communities of microbes proliferate
within the char's spongy matrix, and this explosion of living biomass is
where the real action is.  char's main contribution to this NOx emission
reduction is to absorb and hold the various N ions in the C matrix
rather than allowing the N compounds to dissolve and leach away.

david

----- Original Message -----
From: Kevin Chisholm <kchisholm at ca.inter.net>
Date: Sunday, November 25, 2007 0:50 am
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] compost and charcoal
To: Gerald Van Koeverden <vnkvrdn at yahoo.ca>
> Dear Gerrit
> 
> This sounds to me like a great idea, with no downside.
> 
> I have seen references to the fact that char reduces soil NO2 
> emissions. 
> It might do this by adsorption of teh NO2, or it might help create 
> different "soil mechanics" that result in retention of the NO2 as NO4.
> 
> Additionally, there might be a significant absorption of what would 
> otherwise be "manure tea", that might leach away.
> 
> Please keep us posted on anything else you might find.
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Kevin