[Terrapreta] vascular elements

[Robert Klein]

If the temperature is high enough, we get a porous end product with all other constituents reduced or eliminated.  Biochar is done at a temperature that likely yields only a fraction of the potential inert high temperature form of carbon.  In other words the product is a blend that is likely better accepted by the soil.

At very high temperatures coal becomes coke which is also incredibly porous and as tough as steel.  I think powdered coke would be very good in soils, but I suspect that it is almost unmakable.

That is why biochar must be produced from plant waste since it is naturally prepowdered.  Wood is not.  I suspect that the best results can pass  a very fine screen, wheras very little wood charcoal can do so.

arclein

----- Original Message ----
From: Kevin Chisholm <kchisholm at ca.inter.net>
To: MFH <mfh01 at bigpond.net.au>
Cc: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org; Roy Lent <rwlent at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 1, 2008 8:09:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] vascular elements

Dear M

MFH wrote:
>
> My (perhaps) simplistic response is that coal is formed under 
> substantial temperatures and pressures. I’d suggest that this leaves 
> it biologically-inert.
>

Not to be contrary, but I would suggest that just the opposite may be 
the case... there are many chemicals in coal that may retard nearby 
biological activity.

Consider an artificial reef in the ocean... it could be made from any 
kind of material that sinks... ships, rocks, tires, oil rigs, engine 
blocks, concrete sidewalk blocks, old pavement, etc. The substrate 
material is not important, but when the "architecture" is provided, 
marine life flourishes in that area.

Of course, if a sunken ship was loaded with toxins, herbicides or 
pesticides, that would not be very nice. :-)

Kevin
>
> M
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org 
> [mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] *On Behalf Of *Roy Lent
> *Sent:* Sunday, 1 June 2008 11:21 AM
> *To:* terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
> *Subject:* [Terrapreta] vascular elements
>
> On Sat, May 31, 2008 at 4:54 PM, Richard Haard <richrd at nas.com 
> <mailto:richrd at nas.com>> wrote:
>
> On May 31, 2008, at 2:43 PM, Roy Lent wrote:
>
>
>
> 1. Is it possible that low grade lignite coal could give the same TP 
> effect in soil that charcoal does?
>
> no (no remnants of vascular elements)
>
> I've seen xylem rings in coal. These are not vascular elements? What 
> function do they serve in TP?
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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