[Terrapreta] compost and charcoal

[Tom Miles]

See the presentation on charcoal mixed compost at the IAI conference by
Shuji Yoshizawa, Satoko Tanaka, Michio Ohata or
Meisei University and Shigeru Mineki, Tokyo University of Science. 

http://www.biochar-international.org/images/Yoshizawa_-_Charcoal_Composting_
of_Rice_Bran_Effect_on_Microorganisms.pdf

One slide:
"Composting from mixture of charcoal and biomass waste (Charcoal Mixed
Compost, CMC)
Composts made from garbage generated by homes, restaurants and food
industries and livestock
waste, and its utilization is receiving attention from the viewpoint of
recycle of biomass wastes.

As wood and bamboo have pores which are the size that are suitable for
microorganisms to support, by
adding the charcoal from the beginning of composting, the proliferation of
microorganisms will be enhanced."

Their results were positive. 

Tom


> -----Original Message-----
> From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org [mailto:terrapreta-
> bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Van Koeverden
> Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 10:42 AM
> To: terrapreta preta
> Subject: [Terrapreta] compost and charcoal
> 
> We've had a lot of talk about the cost-benefit of applying charcoal
> to large acreages of land.  And also about using compost or manure to
> enrich charcoal before applying it.
> 
> What about adding charcoal to the compost pile at the beginning of
> the process?  Has anybody researched the value of adding charcoal to
> the biomass right at the beginning?  A lot of ammonia is released to
> the atmosphere during composting;  would charcoal act as a sponge to
> soak it up and hold it, along with mineral nutrients which are easily
> susceptible to leaching?  In effect, if this is true, charcoal fines
> as part of the composting process would significantly add to the
> potential nutrient value of that compost.
> 
> gerrit
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Terrapreta mailing list
> Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
> http://bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/terrapreta_bioenergylists.or
> g
> http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org
> http://info.bioenergylists.org