[Terrapreta] char & vascular systems

[Mark Ludlow]

In all fairness, I hope I didn't imply that I thought that habitat
opportunity has no role. However, it's difficult to imagine that this
macroscopic (in dimensional terms) activity is the primary driver for the
goodness of char. The macroporous structure, while desirable, may be
overrated compared to advantages conferred by having large, surface-reactive
areas--at least in the advantage of regulating soil fertility.

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Kurt Treutlein
Sent: Saturday, June 07, 2008 10:32 PM
To: terra pretta group
Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] char & vascular systems

Richard Haard wrote:
> I am not quite sure what you are getting at here Kurt?
>
> In the case of algae the only difference is the lack of vascular 
> system. The algae are diverse and cellular in nature that range from  
> filamentous to complex tissues in plants attaining as much as 100 feet 
> length.
>
> Are you in agreement with mark that charcoal function is at the micro 
> level and habitat opportunity has no role.
No, I'm not. I believe that the vascular nature of wood charcoal and 
particularly of hardwood charcoal is very important to it's role in TP.
So, as far as TP is concerned the habitat opportunity is most important. 
And along with the habitat opportunity goes the large surface area that 
is inherent in wood charcoals vascular structure, which is important for 
bacterial activity. Now, to a large extent other fibrous biomass would 
have similar porosity, while amorphous biomass would likely have less. 
Just how this integrates with the alleged good TP results from fecal 
charcoal, I have no idea.


Kurt

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