Observing novel soil conditioners for carbon emissions mitigation

• Published in: International journal of climate change strategies and management 2010-03, Vol.2 (1), p.48-67
• Main Authors: Coles, A.J.C, Lewis, K.A, Sims, R.E.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Energy technology; New Zealand; Soil conservation; Storage
• ISSN: 1756-8692
• DOI: 10.1108/17568691011020256

Purpose - The New Zealand (NZ) Government's commitment to a sustainable, low-emissions energy future may be met, in part, by expanding bioenergy systems fuelled by short-rotation forestry through utilising lower quality land affecting soil organic matter content and soil CO2 flux. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the carbon sequestration potential of a range of soil conditioners in order to minimise or offset carbon emissions due to ground disturbance.Design methodology approach - Seven soil conditioners are evaluated using incubation chambers to measure the affect of their incorporation within three NZ soil types on soil respiration.Findings - Charcoal is found to produce a distinct and significant carbon sequestering trend, as did newspaper and whey. Conversely, vegetable oil, paper mill pulp, biodiesel and methanol showed overall carbon emitting trends.Research limitations implications - The research is limited as only CO2 is monitored within the incubation chambers rather than the whole gaseous carbon profile. No microbial observations are conducted.Practical implications - The investigation concludes that of the conditioners observed, charcoal, newspaper and whey warrant further observation as carbon sequestration soil conditioners.Originality value - The study forms part of the foundations within the development of soil conditioners specifically designed for carbon sequestration.