[Terrapreta] CO2

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi John,

I think you are absolutely right with these comments.   Respiration rates of soil microbes emitting CO2 and of plants on land and in the oceans taking in CO2 are NOT the only fluxes of carbon into and out of the atmosphere.  Human activity; burning fossil fuels and the destruction of soil organic carbon are also important to the overall net CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.  These appear to be overriding what nature can do to maintain its equilibrium.

I do not see a way now, that plants are able to keep up with our current level of carbon inputs to the atmosphere.  Our forcing of this balance point is quite pronounced and the remainder of the biome cannot keep up with its pace.

Regards,

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John D. Wilson<mailto:wilson at cleanenergy.org> 
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:36 AM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Dynamotive demonstrates fast-pyrolysis


  Increased respiration doesn't mean increased net emissions. If increased biological activity is associated with increased net emissions, then eventually all the carbon in the soil would be gone. Compost amended soils increase net emissions because dead organic matter is added to the soil and it is gradually decomposed resulting in a net loss of carbon. Eventually the compost is mostly gone and then the net increase in emissions stops. In contrast, the char appears to fuel decomposition briefly, but then stabilize. At that point it does not provide a net source of emissions.

  John




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  From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org [mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Shengar at aol.com
  Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:22 AM
  To: sean.barry at juno.com; terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Dynamotive demonstrates fast-pyrolysis


  Hi Sean,

  The only work I recall was the asian work showing , i think it was 1/3 reduction in Methane and 1/4 reduction in N2O with even low amounts of char.

  I have not seen measurments on CO2 emissions , It's my assumption that the increase of microbes, fungus, tilth, Glomalin, humus, soil respiration and general biomass in TP soils food chain would increase CO2 soil emissions. Just as compost amended healthy soils do. 

  Erich









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