Do you know floatigation ?

Floatigation with biochar & plastic bottles design

by Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy

Floatigation with biochar & plastic bottles design by Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy for treating polluted water bodies through plants.

The advantages are:

Reuse of materials such as plastic water bottles
Growing plants
Biochar and plants treat water from pollutants such as heavy metals, nitrates, phosphates, etc.
Birds nesting place / resting place / hopping place / fishing place etc..
Hanging artificial coral reef for aquatic life to thrive..
Long life of this system – light weight materials..

See the text and slides: Slideshare

Soil restorations: mulching, composting, erosion checks, biochar

Photo credit: Permaculture News

The practical on-ground (demonstration) site of The Ghana Permaculture Institute

Regenerative/Permaculture Practice in Ghana

by Matthew Onyeanula

EXCERPT

The Ghana Permaculture Institute was established in 2004 And is located in Techiman of the Brong Ahafo Region in Ghana It has two sites, one a Lecture site located in the city while the other site a practical on-ground (demonstration) site.

The demonstrated site located in Tanoboase near Baafi initially had degraded due to the fact that the top soils had been removed through erosion caused by deforestation and poor agriculture techniques. We have been doing a lot of land restorations through using techniques such as mulching, composting, erosion checks more. The demonstration site is now a place to behold as plants are doing very well together with the environment.

Das Geheimnis der Wirkungsweise der Kohle im Ackerboden (The secret of the effect of the carbon in soil) – German – (Ingenieur.de)

Read at :

http://www.ingenieur.de/Themen/Forschung/Biokohle-im-Boden-verringert-Lachgas-Ausstoss-um-Haelfte

Biokohle im Boden verringert Lachgas-Ausstoß um die Hälfte

(Biochar in the soil reduces nitrous oxide emissions by half)

Mit Hilfe von Biokohle im Boden lassen sich die landwirtschaftlichen Lachgas-Emissionen um die Hälfte verringern. Das haben Wissenschaftler der Universität Tübingen herausgefunden.

Die Tübinger Forscher entschlüsselten mit ihrer Studie das Geheimnis der Wirkungsweise der Kohle im Ackerboden. Dass sie den Boden fruchtbarer macht, wussten schon die Indios, die bereits vor mehreren tausend Jahren die Eigenschaften der „Terra preta do indio“, der „Schwarzen Erde“ nutzten. Dass sie sich auch günstig aufs Klima auswirkt, zeigten Forschungen der jüngeren Vergangenheit. Wie sie wirkt, fanden jetzt die Wissenschaftler vom Zentrum für Angewandte Geowissenschaften der Universität Tübingen unter der Leitung der Umwelt- und Geomikrobiologen Sebastian Behrens und Andreas Kappler heraus

Kohle bindet Nährstoffe

A new possibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide (Science Daily)

Read at :

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131004090618.htm

Biochar in Soils Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Oct. 4, 2013 — University of Tübingen microbiologists show soil microbe communities can be influenced to decrease nitrous oxide emissions.

Introducing biochar into agricultural soils changes the composition and activity of microorganisms in a way that emissions of nitrous oxide — also known as laughing gas (N₂O) — are significantly reduced, according to researchers Johannes Harter and Hans-Martin Krause. Their study was supervised by environmental microbiologist Dr. Sebastian Behrens and geomicrobiologist Professor Andreas Kappler of the Center for Applied Geosciences at the University of Tübingen in cooperation with researchers from the University of Hohenheim. The results are important not only for a sustainable, more effective use of nitrogen fertilizers; they also present a new possibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

Biochar is produced by high-temperature thermochemical decomposition of organic material, a process known as pyrolysis. Unlike charcoal, which is primarily used to produce heat, biochar is used as a soil supplement in agriculture. Nitrous oxide is produced by nitrogen-transforming microorganisms in the soil, and these emissions increase with the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Biochar’s surface properties prevent nutrients from being washed out of poor soils. It also positively influences the abundance, composition, and activity of microorganisms in the soil, which form complex biological communities involving plants and animals. “Soil biochar amendment helps to raise water storage capacity and decrease soil nutrient leaching, which in turn increases soil fertility and can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because it stores carbon in the soil,” says Sebastian Behrens.

(continued)

Biochar Symposium – October 13-16, 2013

North American Biochar Symposium – October 13-16, 2013
Harvesting Hope: the Science and Synergies of Biochar

Contact:Karen@PVBiochar.org

Come Join Us!

Biochar is a fascinating and ancient soil amendment that holds great promise for present day soils, climate, economic and energy concerns. This biochar symposium is designed for farmers, foresters, researchers, policymakers, biochar producers and entrepreneurs, and especially students and citizens who want to learn more about biochar as an alternative to fossil fuel-based fertilizers/pesticides and energy.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network with experts in the cutting-edge biochar market.

Call for Papers – Abstract Deadline: March 4, 2013

There are FOUR main tracks for speakers:

Feedstocks & Technology
Benefits of Biochar – agriculture (farm and forest) climate, water, energy
Scale, Sales & Marketing
Community Engagement and Policy

………………………….

Mark your calendar now: Sunday, October 13 – Wednesday, October 16
…and add an extra day or two for exploring the fall foliage throughout the Pioneer Valley or attending a special post-conference hands on biochar camp at NESFI!

October 13-16, 2013, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Recipe for Biochar ( Science Daily)

Read at :

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120322131508.htm

Cooking Better Biochar: Study Improves Recipe for Soil Additive

ScienceDaily (Mar. 22, 2012) — Backyard gardeners who make their own charcoal soil additives, or biochar, should take care to heat their charcoal to at least 450 degrees Celsius to ensure that water and nutrients get to their plants, according to a new study by Rice University scientists.

(continued)

Biochar from water hyacinth (Stephen KLABER)

Here is a special message on the use of biochar :

ACON Soil Analysis

“My friend Salim Shaban in Kenya is experimenting with biochar that he makes from water hyacinth.  He sent me a report of soil samples where the char was and was not used, But I don’t know how to interpret them.  My last experience with soil testing was 40 years ago using very primitive tests (more false positives than anything else) and looking only for lead contamination.  You can contact him directly at ctkbungoma@gmail.com .”

 

Three French examples of social business, three commercial firms oriented in humanitarian affairs, symbolised by three bags of seeds (Google / The Sunday Leader)

Read at : Google Alert – desertification

http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/07/03/solidarity-as-the-next-source-of-profitability-for-all/

Solidarity As The Next Source Of Profitability For All

By Kamaya Jayatissa

Sunday Leader
The first kit is a bag of “super-vegetable” to fight starvation and desertification in country-sides. This concept was introduced by Pierre Moussa and Jean-Marie Cordier with the creation of a corporation with a humanitarian purpose: vegetable seeds …

———

By Kamaya Jayatissa

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou

According to chaos theory, and more specifically to what is commonly known as the butterfly effect, small differences in a dynamic system could trigger vast and often unsuspected results. Also known as the sensitive dependence on initial conditions, this mathematical concept observes that the wing movements of a butterfly might have significant repercussions on wind strength and theoretically, could cause tornadoes halfway around the world.

Adjusting Edward Norton Lorenz’s theory to social business,  Xavier de Bayser offers us a unique perception in which the flapping wings of a butterfly may, with a domino effect, generate large advantages in developing countries. In his book, L’effet Papillion (2011), de Bayser explains the very concepts of sustainable development, socially responsible investing, and social business. He demonstrated that, under certain circumstances, a new economy focussed upon assisting developing countries is not only feasible but also profitable for some companies as can be seen in France with Danone and Essilor.  The social business strategy is hence a way of maximising both financial returns and social goods.

………………

The first kit is a bag of “super-vegetable” to fight starvation and desertification in country-sides. This concept was introduced by  Pierre Moussa and Jean-Marie Cordier with the creation of a corporation with a humanitarian purpose: vegetable seeds for Africa (also known as the JTS project or tropical garden seeds). From this unconventional way of fighting against chronic malnutrition and starvation in African countries emerged, a major agricultural innovation, the JTA project (tropical improved garden or Jardin Tropical Amélioré). Not only does it provide technology and training to cultivate a vegetable garden 12 months out of 12 but on a more social level, it also increases the employment rate in developing countries and ultimately the quality of life.

As revolutionary as the bag of black powder is also known as the ‘green charcoal’ or ‘biochar’ technology developed by Pro-Natura (global NGO approaching problems of poverty and environment) in order to fight against deforestation and greenhouse gas emission. This practice converts agricultural waste into a soil enhancer that can hold carbon, boost food security and discourage deforestation. The process creates a fine-grained, highly porous charcoal that helps soils retain nutrients and water.

The third packet of seed is a bag of ‘green powder’ known as alfalfas aiming to fight against malnutrition. Indeed, in case of malnutrition, the body needs “green” proteins. To cope with this issue, a company, France-Luzerne, produces alfalfas –one of the plants that generate the most proteins.

How would this type of project benefit a country like Sri Lanka?

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Peoples of the Amazonian rainforest amended their soil using biochar (Google / Chinook Observer)

Read at : Google Alert – desertification

http://www.chinookobserver.com/special_sections/living_green/the-miracle-of-biochar/article_0d900d82-6bb2-11e0-87ae-001cc4c002e0.html

The miracle of biochar

A ‘primitive’ solution gains high-tech acceptance

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CATE GABLE FOR LIVING GREEN

Several years ago, Vera Karnofski read a fascinating article in an old Scientific American or National Geographic (she can’t quite remember which) about how the peoples of the Amazonian rainforest amended their soil using biochar. She showed it to husband Jim, who dove in headfirst.

The rest, as they say, is history.

“Biochar is a win, win, win,” said Jim. “It can be made from a renewable resource – wood; it reduces carbon dioxide emissions that are causing global warming; and it provides nutrients in the garden.

“It doesn’t get better than that.”

Restorative gardening

“We bought this property in ’83 – it was 80 acres of timberland that had been harvested in 1860, 1901 and 1950,” said Jim. “Now we’ve got 70,000 trees in the back and an experimental garden for the soil.”

Jim points to rows of vegetable beds showing dark chocolate-rich soil on their Ilwaco, Wash., property. Despite the cold spring season, Jim and Vera already have chard, salad greens, celery, onions and garlic bursting out from every bed.

Biochar is potentially a mitigation option for reducing the world’s elevated carbon dioxide emissions (Science Daily)

 

Read at :

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110318102245.htm

Can Biochar Help Suppress Greenhouse Gases?

ScienceDaily (Mar. 28, 2011) — Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas and a precursor to compounds that contribute to the destruction of the ozone. Intensively managed, grazed pastures are responsible for an increase in nitrous oxide emissions from grazing animals’ excrement. Biochar is potentially a mitigation option for reducing the world’s elevated carbon dioxide emissions, since the embodied carbon can be sequestered in the soil. Biochar also has the potential to beneficially alter soil nitrogen transformations.

(continued)

The Biochar Solution (Book) – (Google / Coal Geology)

Read at : Google Alert – desertification

http://coalgeology.com/the-biochar-solution-carbon-farming-and-climate-change-sustainable-agriculture/10936/

The Biochar Solution: Carbon Farming and Climate Change (Sustainable Agriculture)

Written by Editor

Manufacturer: New Society Publishers

List Price: $17.95

Sale Price: $9.95

Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours

Free Shipping Available

Biochar takes carbon out of the air and puts it in the soil, where it makes the soil fertile (New Carbon Economy)

Read at :

http://www.newcarboneconomy.info/page6.php

Biochar Explained

Biochar is the modern version of an ancient Pre-Columbian technology invented by native Amazonian peoples to enhance soil fertility. A form of charcoal, it is created by pyrolysis (burning in low oxygen conditions) of biomass: agricultural waste, dead trees, etc. The ancient source of biochar is called terra preta (prepared earth) in Brazil. The first thing to know about biochar is that it is a way of permanently removing CO2 greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. The carbon from biomass, when pyrolyzed, can remain in the soil for hundreds or thousands of years. We know this because some of the terra preta soils of the Amazon are 2000 years old. And these ancient soils are still so fertile after all this time that there is an industry in Brazil to collect these soils and put them in bags to sell as potting soil.