[Stoves] Fwd: Biochar is making its way into the oceans, apparently

[Paul Olivier]

*Most of the charcoal in nature is from wild fires and combustion of
biomass in general. When charcoal forms it is typically deposited in the
soil.“ From a chemical perspective, no one really thought it dissolves, but
it does,” Jaffé says. “It doesn’t accumulate like we had for a long time
believed. Rather, it is transported into wetlands and rivers, eventually
making its way to the oceans.”*

If biomass is burned, and if afterwards the charcoal from this burning
remains on the surface of the ground, how is it supposed to accumulate in
the soil? How is charcoal "typically deposited in the soil" from a wild
fire? Wildfires do not till the soil and mix in char in a uniform manner.

If biochar is properly mixed into the top soil through human activity, this
is an entirely different matter. It seems likely that it would be washed
away in a large rainfall event only if the top soil in which it were
incorporated were washed away.

Thanks.
Paul Olivier


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Crispin Pemberton-Pigott <crispinpigott at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 5:55 AM
Subject: [Stoves] Biochar is making its way into the oceans, apparently
To: Discussion of biomass cooking stoves <stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org>


Dear Friends of Biochar****

** **

This will probably be of interest. I am posting here because of the biochar
enthusiasm and because I am not subscribed to any biochar lists. ****

** **

Regards****

** **

Crispin****

** **

+++++++****

** **

Copied from****

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/04/19/something-else-to-worry-about-carbon-i
n-the-water/#more-84542****

** **

“…According to the authors, the results imply that greater consideration
must be given to carbon sequestration techniques (the process of capture
and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide). Biochar addition to
soils is one such technique. Biochar technology is based on
vegetation-derived charcoal that is added to agricultural soils as a means
to store carbon.****

** **

Although promising in storing carbon, Jaffé points out that as more people
implement biochar technology, they must take into consideration the
potential dissolution of the charcoal to ensure these techniques are
actually environmentally friendly.****

** **

Jaffé and Dittmar agree that there are still many unknowns when it comes to
the environmental fate of charcoal, and both plan to move on to the next
phase of the research. They have proven where the charcoal goes. Next, they
want to answer how this happens and what the environmental consequences are.
****

The better scientists can understand the processes and the environmental
factors controlling it, the better the chance of developing strategies for
carbon sequestration and help mitigate climate change.”****

** **

Source: http://www.mpg.de/7112434/charcoal_oceans****

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-- 
Paul A. Olivier PhD
26/5 Phu Dong Thien Vuong
Dalat
Vietnam

Louisiana telephone: 1-337-447-4124 (rings Vietnam)
Mobile: 090-694-1573 (in Vietnam)
Skype address: Xpolivier
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