First Name: | James |
---|---|
Last Name: | Reischutz |
Email Address: | james@greenpyro.com |
Affiliation | Green Pyro |
Subject | Soil Carbon Sequestration |
Comment |
While the draft sections on agriculture make some reference to biomass utilization and farm efficiency improvements, an emerging technique of biomass utilization that has synergistic benefits for efficiency and residue utilization is neglected. "Bio-Char sequestration"- the storage of residue derived char products in agricultural soil appears to offer a large, permanent, and beneficial CO2 precursor sink. "Waste" biomass from farming or forestry operations is thermally separated into a solid elemental carbon fraction and an energetic gas. The charcoal fraction is derived from atmospheric CO2 captured by plants. It is bio-inert, and seems to be a permanent sink on the ~1000 year time frame. Anecdotal studies show a large decrease in methane and N2O emissions from amended soil. Further studies show ~10% decrease in irrigation demand. Furthermore, by applying carbon to fields, primary pollutants such as NOx and pesticide runoff are reduced. Particulates from residue burning are controlled. The public health and environmental benefits from using this technique need analytical quantification. As much as 25 MMT per year can be offset with this method in a relatively short time frame. Although the emerging science behind this technique is promising, it hasn't reached full maturity, perhaps disqualifying it from inclusion in this scope. Opening the door in the scope to soil carbon sequestration schemes (conservation or no till carbon systems, rangeland managment etc) will provide a small window for black carbon (bio char) sequestration research. We support the use of California offset projects so Bio char programs can be used for AB 32 compliance. The attached document is an academic analysis of some general case bio char sequestration. Adoption of this technique means advancing leading edge science and climate policy in California. |
Attachment |
www.arb.ca.gov/lists/sp-agriculture-ws/22-energy_balance.pdf Original File Name: Energy balance.pdf
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2008-08-11 14:18:46 |
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