[Terrapreta] First-ever estimate of total bacteria on earth & Biochar Conferences

[Shengar at aol.com]

Hi All,
 
This study provides a good baseline to measure  what an impact Biochar could 
have to the overall carbon  cycle.



First-ever estimate of total bacteria on earth 
Study  shows far greater numbers than ever known before. 
 
"Another important part of the study was  an estimate of carbon content in 
bacteria. Carbon, of course, is a crucial  element in numerous natural 
processes, so knowing the amount of it could  contribute substantially to knowledge of 
carbon cycles. Scientists assume that  carbon in the bacteria that live in 
soil and subsurface takes up about one-half  of their dry weight. The team thus 
found that the total amount of bacterial  carbon in the soil and subsurface to 
be yet another staggering number, 5 X  10**17 g or the weight of the United 
Kingdom.
Rather surprisingly, the group at Georgia found  that the total carbon of 
bacteria is nearly equal to the total carbon found in  plants. The inclusion of 
this carbon in global models will greatly increase  estimates of the amount of 
carbon stored in living organisms. The new estimates  could also change 
assumptions about the relative amount in plants of other  essential nutrients such 
as nitrogen and phosphorus." 
_http://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0998/et0998s8.html_ 
(http://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0998/et0998s8.html)  
     




>From the IBI web page:
New Information and Upcoming Events and  Conferences
 
October 5 - 8, 2008: Houston  Texas

The 2008 SSSA/CSSA/ASA Annual Meetings will held jointly with  the Geological 
Society of America (GSA). The Soil Science Society of  America (SSSA) is 
holding a session on black carbon/biochar. Click on the  following prospectus for 
more information. 


SSSA Session: Black  Carbon in Soils and Sediments 
 
 

 
March 10, 2008:

Conference on  the Ecological Dimensions of  Biofuels
Ronald  Reagan Building and International Trade Center Washington, DC,  March 
10,  2008

On March 10, 2008, The Ecological Society of  America will host a one-day 
conference on the Ecological Dimensions of  Biofuels.  500 attendees will have 
the opportunity to  hear invited presentations by leading scientists  on:
- sustainable development  and use of biofuels;
- social,  bio-geographic, land use, and biodiversity considerations;  
- ecological dimensions of alternatives  for crop selection and production, 
harvest and transport of product to  refinery, and refining of liquid fuels and 
other  co-products.

Full details, including an agenda, confirmed  speakers, and sponsorship 
opportunities, are available at _www.esa.org/biofuels_ 
(http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/www.esa.org/biofuels)  

_http://www.biochar-international.org/newinformationevents.html_ 
(http://www.biochar-international.org/newinformationevents.html) 
 
 
   

Erich J.  Knight
1047 Dave Berry Rd.
McGaheysville, VA.  22840
540-289-9750
shengar at aol.com




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