Observing novel soil conditioners for carbon emissions mitigation
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
ISSN: 1756-8692
Article publication date: 2 March 2010
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Citation
Coles, A.J.C., Lewis, K.A. and Sims, R.E.H. (2010), "Observing novel soil conditioners for carbon emissions mitigation", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 48-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/17568691011020256
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited