Ascension Soil Company - bringing soils to life

Researchers pin oil sands reclamation hopes on biochar Researchers pin oil sands reclamation hopes on biochar

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:10:14 -0700

Researchers pin oil sands reclamation hopes on biochar Researchers pin oil sands reclamation hopes on biochar :

Potential of biochar in Canadian Oil Sand reclamation

"We live in an age and culture that is very sensitive to human rights, but does not grant equal..."

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:14:18 -0600

“We live in an age and culture that is very sensitive to human rights, but does not grant equal weight to human responsibilities. We insist on our prerogatives, and neglect our obligations. Our attitude to the environment is marked by careless confidence and reckless self-indulgence. These are attitudes and actions that, as an individual, we recognize as childish – Daniel Hillel”

Before (August 2010) and After (August 2011) shot of Hope Mine...

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 06:51:00 -0600

Before (August 2010) and After (August 2011) shot of Hope Mine reclamation using compost and a mixture of different rates of biochar (2.5 - 20 ton/acre).

Site located south of Aspen, CO at an altitude of 8,700’ Objective was to stabilize slopes which have remain barren for approximatly 60 years. So far slopes have held well with exceptionally heavy monsoonal rain this year.

Monitoring to continue through October 2011, and then again in 2012 and 2013.

Application of biochar on mine tailings: Effects and perspectives for land reclamation

Mon, 09 May 2011 16:12:00 -0600

Application of biochar on mine tailings: Effects and perspectives for land reclamation:

Researchers from the University of Udine have recently published the following paper: Fellet et. al. (2011) Application of biochar on mine tailings: Effects and perspectives for land reclamation. Chemosphere 83, 1262-1267. The paper is an important contribution to the biochar in reclamation space and describes the interaction of four different rates of a single biochar applied to mine tailings associated with historic lead and zinc extraction. Having reviewed and reduced the data presented in the paper, I do have a couple of general thoughts around the data set. My caveat to this interpretation is that I was looking for broader trends rather than statistical significance and used the mean values presented in the paper. Additionally, most of the data was presented in graphical rather than tabular form, so the data I used obviously has a degree of error associated with it. However, even with this in mind, the data provides some salient points:

· Water Holding Capacity: Linear regression with r² = 1.00. This was observed in a clay texture class (3% sand, 14% silt, 83% clay) which is interesting as it challenges the opinion that biochar is most effective in coarse grained materials.

· pH: pH increased from 8.1-10.2 when applied to the soil. This needs to be considered when applying to alkaline soil. However, if the intent of biochar is for increased water holding capacity in semi-arid and arid conditions, then this may override any impact on plant growth associated with increased pH. The weathering effect of biochar in these soils over time may also play an important role in these systems, and the increased pH may only be a temporary consideration. However, pre-washing could be required prior to application if a negative and long-term effect on plant growth is observed.

· Electrical Conductivity: As for Water Holding Capacity, a linear increase was observed with increased biochar (r² = 1.00). Again the effect on saline/sodic soils needs to be considered and pre-washing may be required. Long term leaching effects should also be considered.

· Cation Exchange Capacity: When all four values are used, the data again shows a linear correlation. The data presented in this paper indicates a reduced CEC when 1% biochar was incorporated into the tailings compared with no char addition to the mine tailings. Original data shows no statistical difference between 0% and 1%, so when I use data for the tailings with char addition the correlation coefficient becomes r² = 1.00.

· Metals: Bar charts presented by Fellet et al. (2011) would suggest that for certain metals, biochar reduces leaching (when using TCLP extraction methods). When presented as scattergrams with log concentrations, the effect appears negligible, with the possible exception of Al. Even then I’m not getting too excited. These results may be a function of the pH effect described above. A similar experiment with metal loaded soils in the near neutral to acidic range will provide a useful comparison. Based on this data set, my conclusion is that in alkaline soils and mine tailings, biochar is ineffective in metal stabilization, despite the increase in CEC which thoeretically should increase metal adsorption.

I also have a PDF version of this review that includes the graphs I used for this interpretation. If you would like a copy, please email me at andrewharley@ascensionsoil.com.

Examining Climate Change Effects on Wheat / February 24, 2011 / News from the USDA Agricultural Research Service

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:42:39 -0700

Examining Climate Change Effects on Wheat / February 24, 2011 / News from the USDA Agricultural Research Service:

Researchers with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) installed infrared heaters in experimental wheat fields at the agency’s Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center in Maricopa, Ariz., to simulate growing conditions expected by 2050. As expected, the heaters accelerated growth, increased soil temperatures, reduced soil moisture, induced mild water stress on the crops and had a nominal effect on photosynthesis.

While the research was conducted to identify adjustments to planting schedules, the decreased water content in soils with increased heat is going to have other ecosystem effects, other than simply plant yield. Dr Swetnam of the University of Arizona http://web.me.com/twswetnam/Pyrodendrochronology/Home.html presented gave a thought provoking presentation at the Forests at Risk symposium in Aspen, CO last week http://www.fortheforest.org/page_82. Based on tree-ring data going back 2,000 years, there have been two severe drought periods in the southwest. Regardless of the cause, we need to be looking at innovative ways to handle drought conditions within the southwest.

ASC and partners are looking at biochar for improved water holding capacity in reclamation sites in the Intermountain West, and the same approach may be useful for agricultural areas as well.

Effects of Wood Bark and Fertilizer Amendment on Trace Element Mobility in Mine Soils, Broken Hill, Australia: Implications for Mined Land Reclamation

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:09:36 -0700

Effects of Wood Bark and Fertilizer Amendment on Trace Element Mobility in Mine Soils, Broken Hill, Australia: Implications for Mined Land Reclamation :

Abstract

Soil amendments can immobilize metals in soils, reducing the risks of metal exposure and associated impacts to flora, fauna and human health. In this study, soil amendments were compared, based on “closed system” water extracts, for reducing metal mobility in metal-contaminated soil from the Broken Hill mining center, Australia. Phosphate fertilizer (bovine bone meal, superphosphate, triple superphosphate, potassium orthophosphate) and pine bark (Pinus radiata) were applied to two soils (BH1, BH2) contaminated with mining waste. Both soils had near neutral to alkaline pH values, were sulfide- or sulfate-rich, and contained metal and metalloid at concentrations that pose high environmental risks (e.g., Pb = 1.25 wt% and 0.55 wt%, Zn = 0.71 wt% and 0.47 wt% for BH1 and BH2, respectively). The addition of fertilizers and/or pine bark to both soil types increased water extractable metals and metalloids concentrations (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sb, Zn) compared with nonamended soils. One or more of the elements As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn increased significantly in extracts of a range of different soil+pine bark and soil+fertilizer+pine bark tests in response to increased pine bark doses. By contrast, Fe and Sb concentrations in extracts did not change significantly with pine bark addition. Solution pH was decreased by phosphate fertilizers (except for bovine bone meal) and pine bark, and pine bark enhanced dissolved organic carbon. At least in the short term, the application of phosphate fertilizers and pine bark proved to be an ineffective method for controlling metal and metalloid mobility in soils that contain admixtures of polymetallic, polymineralic mine wastes.

Water conservation in biofuels development: Greenhouse and field crop production with biochar

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:37:00 -0700

Water conservation in biofuels development: Greenhouse and field crop production with biochar:

Thesis by Villarreal Manzo, Luis Alberto, Ph.D., The University of Arizona, 2009, 253 pages; AAT 3350468

Copy can be ordered at link

Biochar incorporation in soils has the potential to remove carbon from the atmosphere and to improve soil quality. This research focused on evaluation of the benefit of biochar incorporation in an Arizona soil. Different concentrations of biochar (charcoal from mesquite biomass-derived black carbon) were added to soil in greenhouse experiments. Seven common or potential Southern Arizona crops (alfalfa, wheat, cotton, grain and sweet sorghum, barley and switch grass) were evaluated in the greenhouse experiment. In this experiment; increased biochar concentration treatments produced greater height and biomass production in alfalfa. Sorghum biomass production also increased with biochar concentration. There were no significant differences in biomass production in wheat and barley with increased biochar concentration. Switch grass biomass production had a significant negative correlation with increased biochar concentration. Sweet sorghum biomass production was evaluated in a field experiment conducted at the University of Arizona Red Rock Agricultural Center. A relatively small amount of biochar was incorporated in the top 20 cm of soil in one treatment and soil only was the other treatment: there were no significant differences in yield.

Water characteristic curves and bulk densities were measured for biochar/soil mixes. The FASE model was used to simulate evapotranspiration and crop yield for the field sorghum experiment and for several crops grown in the Valsequillo Irrigation District, Puebla, Mexico with measured soil parameters. The model predicted no significant increase in sorghum yield for the level of biochar incorporated in the soil. An increase in yield was predicted for Valsequillo crops.

Abstract (Summary)

Soil Surveys with GPS-Enabled Smartphones

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:57:03 -0700

Soil Surveys with GPS-Enabled Smartphones:

I’ve just downloaded the app to my EVO - very cool

Biochar on the Radio

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:55:27 -0700

Biochar on the Radio:

Here is a radio report for the work we are doing using biocahr for the reclamation of an abandoned mine land in the Aspen Mining District of Colorado

New Theory on Soil Remineralization

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 05:50:40 -0600

Remeineralization theory has been based on the nutritional value of the mine rock as a recent of minerals as a source of potassium shows (Manning, 2010). A recent paper published at the 19^th World Congress of Soil Science (Kleber, 2010) has framed the role of soil minerals in a new light and in a way that I had to begun to think about as a result of my own research. Kleber’s theory includes the following:

· Minerals play in the functioning and structure of microbiota and their communities;

· Long-term protection of organic molecules by sorptive interactions appears to be limited to those organic materials directly bonded to the protecting mineral surface;

· 3D view of soil consisting of a multitude of largely independent microreactors formed around microbial cells, cell colonies and fungal hyphae

· Mineral particles as components for the construction of small microstructures which are built around microbial cell or cell colonies

· Microbiota actively interact with mineral surfaces for a number of purposes.

This supports my theory that the role of remineralization is not as much on the direct nutritional value of the minerals, but the role they play in overall soil quality, including the protection of soil carbon and the inherent improvement of soil functioning.

References:

Kleber, M. (2010) Minerals and carbon stabilization: towards a new perspective of mineralorganic

interactions in soils. 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 77-79. http://www.iuss.org/19th%20WCSS/.%5Csymposium/.%5Cpdf/1820.pdf

Manning, D. (2010) Mineral sources of potassium for plant nutrition. A review. Agron. Sustain. Dev. (30), 281-291. http://www.agronomy-journal.org/index.php?option=com_article&access=doi&doi=10.1051/agro/2009023&Itemid=129

Rock Dust Influences Soil Microbiology

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 05:54:26 -0600

Studies at the University of Western Australia examining the addition of silicate mineral powders (mica, basalt, rock phosphate) on microbial communities’ structure in soil found the following:

· Addition of minerals to pasture soil microcosms resulted in substantial changes in both bacterial and fungal community structure, dependent upon type of mineral applied and the plant species present;

· The addition of minerals to silica-based soil altered the mineral composition of soil and have caused the shifts in microbial community composition;

· Mineral addition may have influenced microbial community structure in soil via the release of limiting nutrients into the soil upon dissolution;

· Distinct microbial responses are elicited when mineral substrates rich in K, Mg, Ca or P are added to nutrient poor soil;

· In soil, different minerals select bacterial communities with distinct structures in their microhabitats;

· Adjacent mineral particles in soil of different composition may support different bacterial communities in their microhabitats;

· The heterogeneous distribution of minerals in soil may influence spatial variation of bacterial communities in soil;

· The effect of mineral and fraction treatments had a greater influence on the structure of bacterial communities in soil than the effect of plant species

· The structure if bacterial communities in soil depends on which minerals are in their microhabitats.

References:

Carson, J.; Rooney, D., Gleeson, D and Clipson, N (2007) Altering the mineral composition of soil causes a shift in microbial community structure. FEMS Microbiol Ecol, 61, 414-423. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2007.00361.x/pdf

Carson, J.k Campbell, L.; Rooney, D.; Clipson, N. and Gleeson, D. (2009) Minerals in soil select distinct bacterial communities in their microhabitats. FEMS Microbiol Ecol, 67, 381-388. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2008.00645.x/abstract

Biochar Articles - Journal of Environmental Quality Articles

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 10:12:00 -0600

Biochar and the Nitrogen Cycle: Introduction

Tim J. Clough and Leo M. Condron

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient, and research to date shows that biochar potentially has the ability to manipulate the rates of N cycling in soil systems by influencing nitrification rates and adsorption of ammonia and increasing NH₄⁺ storage by enhancing cation exchange capacity in soils. Its influence on these processes may have further implications in terms of reducing gaseous N losses such as N₂O and nitrate leaching. However, further detailed research is required to fully understand the transformation mechanisms and fate of N when associated with biochar treated soils. The three research papers that comprise this special collection of papers on biochar and the nitrogen cycle focus on biochar’s diverse ability to influence N cycling processes. These papers show for the first time (i) how microbial nitrification communities and function differ with exposure to biochar, (ii) how the length of time the soil has been in contact with biochar influences N transformation and how this can vary with soil type, and (iii) how composting of organic materials with biochar can reduce N losses and enhance the nutrient status of the composted product. Considerable knowledge gaps still exist in terms of understanding the precise mechanisms through which biochar influences soil N transformations, and how biochar affects both plant and microbial N supply. The general direction that research on biochar should focus on with respect to the N cycle is the effect(s) that biochar has on N transformation in soils, both chemical and biological mechanisms, and the fate of N applied to biochar treated soils. This research needs to be performed at both field plot and microbial scales.

https://www.agronomy.org/publications/jeq/abstracts/39/4/1218

Influence of Biochars on Nitrous Oxide Emission and Nitrogen Leaching from Two Contrasting Soils

Bhupinder Pal Singh, Blake J. Hatton, Balwant Singh, Annette L. Cowie and Amrit Kathuria

Abstract

The influence of biochar on nitrogen (N) transformation processes in soil is not fully understood. This study assessed the influence of four biochars (wood and poultry manure biochars synthesized at 400°C, nonactivated, and at 550°C, activated, abbreviated as: W400, PM400, W550, PM550, respectively) on nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission and N leaching from an Alfisol and a Vertisol. Repacked soil columns were subjected to three wetting–drying (W–D) cycles to achieve a range of water-filled pore space (WFPS) over a 5-mo period. During the first two W–D cycles, W400 and W550 had inconsistent effects on N₂O emissions and the soils amended with PM400 produced higher N₂O emissions relative to the control. The initially greater N₂O emission from the PM400 soils was ascribed to its higher labile intrinsic N content than the other biochars. During the third W–D cycle, all biochar treatments consistently decreased N₂O emissions, cumulatively by 14 to 73% from the Alfisol and by 23 to 52% from the Vertisol, relative to their controls. In the first leaching event, higher nitrate leaching occurred from the PM400-amended soils compared with the other treatments. In the second event, the leaching of ammonium was reduced by 55 to 93% from the W550- and PM550-Alfisol and Vertisol, and by 87 to 94% from the W400- and PM400-Vertisol only (cf. control). We propose that the increased effectiveness of biochars in reducing N₂O emissions and ammonium leaching over time was due to increased sorption capacity of biochars through oxidative reactions on the biochar surfaces with ageing.

https://www.agronomy.org/publications/jeq/abstracts/39/4/1224

Reducing Nitrogen Loss during Poultry Litter Composting Using Biochar

Christoph Steiner, K.C. Das , Nathan Melear and Donald Lakly

Abstract

Poultry litter (PL) is a potentially underused fertilizer because it contains appreciable amounts of N, P, K, and micronutrients. However, treatments like composting to reduce potential pathogens, weed seeds, and odor often result in high losses of N through NH₃ volatilization. Biochar (BC) has been shown to act as an absorber of NH₃ and water-soluble NH₄⁺ and might therefore reduce losses of N during composting of manure. We produced three PL compost mixtures that consisted of PL without added BC (BC0), PL + 5% BC (BC5), and PL + 20% BC (BC20). The BC was produced from pine chips and used without further modifications. Three replicates of each treatment were placed in nine bioreactors to undergo composting for 42 d. The entire composting experiment was repeated three times in a complete-block design. Moisture content, temperature, pH, mass loss, gas (NH₃, CO₂, H₂S) emissions, C, and nutrient contents were measured periodically throughout the experiments. Results showed no difference in PL mass loss with BC addition. Moisture content decreased, pH increased significantly, and peak CO₂ and temperatures were significantly higher with BC20 compared with BC0. These results indicate a faster decomposition of PL if amended with BC. Ammonia concentrations in the emissions were lower by up to 64% if PL was mixed with BC (BC20), and total N losses were reduced by up to 52%. Biochar might be an ideal bulking agent for composting N-rich materials

https://www.agronomy.org/publications/jeq/abstracts/39/4/1236

Wildfire and Charcoal Enhance Nitrification and Ammonium-Oxidizing Bacterial Abundance in Dry Montane Forest Soils

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:11:00 -0600

Wildfire and Charcoal Enhance Nitrification and Ammonium-Oxidizing Bacterial Abundance in Dry Montane Forest Soils:

I’m intrigued by the importance of charcaol (infer biochar) can have on maintaining soil nitrfication potential. The importance of this in degraded land reclamation is critical.

_________________________________________

Abstract

All forest fire events generate some quantity of charcoal, which may persist in soils for hundreds to thousands of years. However, few studies have effectively evaluated the potential for charcoal to influence specific microbial communities or processes. To our knowledge, no studies have specifically addressed the effect of charcoal on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in forest soils. Controlled experiments have shown that charcoal amendment of fire-excluded temperate and boreal coniferous forest soil increases net nitrification, suggesting that charcoal plays a major role in maintaining nitrification for extended periods postfire. In this study, we examined the influence of fire history on gross nitrification, nitrification potential, and the nature and abundance of AOB. Soil cores were collected from sites in the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness area in northern Idaho that had been exposed twice (in 1910, 1934) or three times (1910, 1934, and 1992) in the last 94 yr, allowing us to contrast soils recently exposed to fire to those that experienced no recent fire (control). Charcoal content was determined in the O horizon by hand-separation and in the mineral soil by a chemical digestion procedure. Gross and net nitrification, and potential rates of nitrification were measured in mineral soil. Analysis of the AOB community was conducted using primer sets specific for the ammonia mono-oxygenase gene (amoA) or the 16S rRNA gene of AOB. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was used to analyze the AOB community structure, while AOB abundance was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Recent (12-yr-old) wildfire resulted in greater charcoal contents and nitrification rates compared with sites without fire for 75 yr, and the more recent fire appeared to have directly influenced AOB abundance and community structure. We predicted and observed greater abundance of AOB in soils recently exposed to fire compared with control soils. Interestingly, sequence data revealed that Clusters 3 and 4, and not Cluster 2, of genus Nitrosospira dominated these forest soils, with a shift toward Cluster 3 in recently burned sites.

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Biochar in Reclamation

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:46:41 -0600

I recently participated in the US Biochar Conference held in Ames Iowa - the agenda and presentations can be found at http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/events/biochar2010/conference-agenda/agenda-overview.html

I participated in the first session of the conference on the Assessment of Biochar’s Benefits for the United States of America, and gave a paper titled “The Role of Biochar in the Carbon Dynamics in Drastically Disturbed Soils” (for a copy, email andrewharley@ascensionsoil.com). The above table was adapted from Shrestha and Lal (2006) Ecosystem carbon budgeting and soil carbon sequestration in reclaimed mine soil Environment International, 32, 781-796 and shows the many possibilities that exist for biochar in the reclamation space.

Organic matter is king when it comes to reclamation, controlling soil chemical and physical including water holding capacity and soil structure, improving infiltration and reducing erosion. The combined recalcitrant nature and surface reactivity of biochar make it a promising amendment in areas where moisture is limited and where soil surface characteristics reduce infiltration. By increasing organic carbon in these environments, the ability to increase other ecosystem services including improved biodiversity and water quality.

Additionally, the role of “designer biochar” for dealing with specific toxicity issues (acid, metals) has great potential and provide an opportunity to build buffering capacity on the soil while developing the carbon cycle, and this is the current focus of my research interest.

While all this sounds good in theory, there is plenty of research required to understand how interacting processes are expressed in various mineralogical, geochemical and hydrologic settings for the optimal application of biochar in disturbed land reclamation. I am developing research projects in the Rocky Mountains, looking for the nexus between the use of either mountain pine beetle waste or woody invasives such as tamarisk or pinyon/juniper and reclamation of either abandoned mine lands or active mines in reclamation mode.

I am developing collaborations with researchers to set up bench-scale, glasshouse scale and field scale trials. I am looking for additional collaborations and if you have any interest in joining in please email me at andrewharley@ascensionsoil.com.

Welcome to my blog - ASC explained

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:11:00 -0600

Ascension Soil Company was borne out my academic and personal research into methods, techniques and philosophies that helped bring life back to infertile and essentially sterile soils.

The journey began on a glorious spring afternoon in southwest Colorado in 1996. I was taking a sabbatical from environmental consulting to fulfill one of my lifes ambitions of learning to ski (90 ski days in Telluride during a record ski year). I was waiting for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad (http://www.durangotrain.com/) to pull into Durango. With an hour to kill, I lazily strolled into a bookstore. Little did I know that I this act would change the course of my life, for literally jumping off the shelf was Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird’s alternative remedies for restoring soils “Secrets of the Soil”. With an undergrad in earth sciences, including soils, I was immediately intrigued by one chapter in particular - Chapter 15 Dust for Life - which went to to describe the process of remineralization: adding ground rock to soils to improve soil quality and nutrition (more can be found at www.remineralize.org).

With a new bride in tow, I ended up studying with the great Bob Gilkes at the Univeristy of Western Australia producing a thesis on The Evaluation and Improvement of Silicate Mineral Fertilisers. The abstract can be found at www.ascensionsoil.com/research and please email me for a copy (andrewharley@ascensionsoil.com).

In addition to remineralization, I have studied a diverse area of soil restoration, including:

Dr Daniel Hillel’s work on soil and water science;
Dr Rattan Lal’s work on soil carbon, especailly in mine reclamation (https://pro.osu.edu/profiles/lal.1/);
water management and the work of P.A. Yeomans (Keyline) and Vicktor Schauberger (Natural Water Management);
organic matter management and the work of Alan Savory (Holistic Resource Management);
permaculture sytems and the work of Bill Mollison;
biodynamics and the work of Rudolf Steiner;
Nutritional minerals and the work of William Albrecht, Andre Voisin and Joel Wallach; and
biochar and the work of Johannes Lehmann et. al. (http://www.css.cornell.edu/faculty/lehmann/index.html)

My current focus is the use of Biochar for the reclamation of drastically disturbed lands, especially in the arid and semi-arid American West. This will be the focus of most of my blogs as I move forward in this direction.

This blog is intended as a clearing house for a range of resources that I have accumulated over the years.