Cation Cation adsorption adsorption (positive ions) (positive ions) Huge capacity: micropore surfaces Huge capacity: micropore surfaces Increase Increase CEC CEC sharply (+20-50) sharply (+20-50) Increase stored growth potential Increase stored growth potential Easily available forms Easily available forms Adsorbed on micropore surfaces Adsorbed on micropore surfaces Retain nutrients in root zone Retain nutrients in root zone Simple ion exchange with roots Simple ion exchange with roots Reduce leaching (40-80%) Reduce leaching (40-80%) Enhance microbial activity Enhance microbial activity Efficient nutrient use by plants Efficient nutrient use by plants Reduce fertillizer applications Reduce fertillizer applications Enhance growth of crops Enhance growth of crops Higher crop nutrient content Higher crop nutrient content Sorption to detoxify & Sorption to detoxify & remediate remediate Heavy metals Heavy metals Organic molecules Organic molecules Store charge as ions (micropore adsorption) Store charge as electrons (carbon rings) Release charge for growth Regulate level & polarity Source of charge? C C ation ation E E xchange xchange C C apacity apacity A A nion nion E E xchange xchange C C apacit apacit Nitrogen, Boron, Iodine Nitrogen, Boron, Iodine Phosphorus, Sulfur, Chlorine Phosphorus, Sulfur, Chlorine Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium Magnesium most Trace Elements most Trace Elements 80 bu 5 100 bu 7 120 bu 9 140 bu 11 160 bu 13 180 bu Soil Class CEC CEC Sandy 3-5 Silt Loam 10-15 Heavy Clay20-25 Corn Yield CEC CEC Soil as battery Where are the electrons? Electron adsorption capacity Soil conducivity Cations add charge to battery Anions carry charge around in cell & plant Acid = + charge = electron deficit Charge carriers: electrons = negative Cellulose & micropores: charge conductor Carbon ring & electron cloud: capacitor Ions, membranes & biofilms: circuit board Capacity to contain electrons Ability to pass electric current Cation E Cation E xchange xchange C C apacity ( apacity ( CEC CEC ) ) PARADIGM SHIFT PARADIGM SHIFT Biochar Properties Biochar Properties C C C C C C − e − e