[Terrapreta] In Brief article in Scientific American

[David Yarrow]

two corrections to this SCIAM peep at biochar:
"such burned, dead matter fertilizes better than compost and animal manure"

the "better than" comparison of biochar vs. compost+manure is false and misleading.  biochar is not a replacement or eqivalent to nutrient and microbial fertilizers

the sentence should have more accurately read
such burned, dead matter added to compost and animal manure fertilizes better than synthetic industrial chemicals

also, 
"enhances soil's natural ability to seize carbon"
should include nitrogen as well as carbon
a far more deadly GHG -- 289x more deadly.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sean K. Barry 
  To: terrapreta 
  Sent: Friday, May 23, 2008 3:00 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] In Brief article in Scientific American


  Hi TP List readers,

  There is an "In Brief" article on page 38 of the June 2008 edition of Scientific American on Terra Preta

  CHARRED FOR LIFE
  In the heart of the Amazon River basin 1,500 years ago, tribes mixed soil with charcoal derived from animal bone and tree bark to boost their crop yields. Now scientists conclude that such burned, dead matter fertilizes better than compost and animal manure, helping to transform the soil into the richest earth in the world. The "biochar" also profoundly enhances soil's natural ability to seize carbon, thereby trapping greenhouse gases. Delaware State University researchers presented their findings April 10 at a national meeting of the American Chemical Society.
  Charles Q. Choi

  Regards,

  SKB



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