[Terrapreta] Biochar and the nitrogen cycle

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Michael,

There are several Nitrogen oxides; nitic oxide:NO, nitrogen dioxide:NO2, nitrous oxide:N2O being the most prevalent and most important in terms of atmospheric pollutants.  Nitric oxide:NO and nitrogen dioxide:NO2 are molecules that can be produced by combustion of nitrogen in air with oxygen.  These reactions occur only at very high temperatures:  N2 + 2O2 => 2NO2 and N2 + O2 = 2NO.  NO and NO2 are emitted primarily from internal combustion engines that do not have catalytic converters and power plants.  One of the design elements of catalytic converters is to break up the compunds before they are emitted out the tailpipe.  Nitrogen dioxide:N2O is a brown colored gas and it is a principle component of smog.  

Nitrous oxide:N2O is the important GHG and is not related to combustion.  It is 296 times more potetn than CO2 in the atmosphere as a green house gas contributer, mostly because of it longevity in the atmosphere.  From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxide<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxide> ... Nitrous oxide:N2O is emitted by bacteria in soils and oceans.  Agriculture is the main source of human-produced nitrous oxide: cultivating soil, the use of nitrogen fertilizers, and animal waste handling can all stimulate naturally occurring bacteria to produce more nitrous oxide. The livestock sector (primarily cows, chickens, and pigs) produces 65% of human-related nitrous oxide.

Regards,

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Bailes<mailto:michaelangelica at gmail.com> 
  To: Terra Preta<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 11:50 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Biochar and the nitrogen cycle


  Interesting article thanks
  I was not aware that nitrogen was a"problem" except' in excess and in run-off into creeks rivers dams etc.
  Char should decrease such run-off.

  I am a bit puzzled by how it gets into the atmosphere by combustion as the article says.
  If someone could help me with the chemistry, and explain why it is a problem I would appreciate it


  I have often wondered if one of the reasons char works so well in the tropics is because it captures the N dissolved in rainfall.
   Given that it rains every afternoon, would char act as a N reservoir and sink, in such climates?
  Would Char therefore be less effective in climates such as Australia where rainfall is erratic and often rare.
  M


  2008/5/19 Biopact <biopact at biopact.com<mailto:biopact at biopact.com>>:

    Interesting read, keeping in mind biochar's capacity to use N-fertilizers more efficiently and its ability to reduce N2O emissions.

    http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/uov-at051208.php<http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/uov-at051208.php>




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