The Secret of El Dorado

[Jacky Foo]

Source: http://www.iobbnet.org/drupal/node/view/986/3379#comment-3379
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The Secret of El Dorado
Submitted by Jacky Foo on Sun, 12/08/2007 - 19:42.

There is an interesting video clip on the benefits of dark soil on
crop yield ... please take a look
"http://www.biochar.org/joomla/images/stories/BBCmyPart.WMV"
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Jacky Foo
http://www.iobbnet.org

[Ingrid Hartmann]

Dear all,

 

I found the video very impressive.

 

Nevertheless, although I have no doubt about the positive effects of charcoal in soils and on yields, although I do not deny its contribution to carbon sequestration, I do not understand, how the charcoal should reduce the pressure on slash-and burn systems. Fuel in general is scarce in areas which practice slash-and-burn systems like in the Sahel, especially fuel wood and also charcoal; then, how then could they have additional charcoal for their soils?

Greetings

Ingrid Hartmann

 

For introduction: I am a soil scientist and ecological economist from Germany, mainly working in Ethiopia

Jacky Foo <jack...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Jacky Foo]

Videos on the Secret of El Dorado
1/5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=206keUNABao&mode=related&search=
2/5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij0Q2Z4Rxow&mode=related&search=
3/5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=206keUNABao&mode=related&search=
4/5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPAzI4HlEPc&mode=related&search=
5/5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr4LDp7iRVs&mode=related&search=

each part is about 10 minutes long. In particular the Terra Petra
parts are in 4/5 and 5/5

I have seen them all and have the following comments and questions
(1) in view of the large and dense populations, I wonder if they had a
unique sanitation pot system where their toilets were clay pots with
excreta, wood ash and debris charcoal (to remove odour) from their
firewood stoves. When filled they would be thrown into and piled up at
dump sites. This would explain the broken clay pots which were also
rich in minerals from urine as it evaporates off the pots.
(2) however there seem to be another hypothesis that is linked to
mining operation of terra preta for sale. The microbes in the terra
preta (video 5/5) could be the key to terra preta regeneration from
decomposing leaves.

What every it may be, we are back to the recycling of all organic
matter with the help of the soil and the modern term "composting".

regards
jacky

[Mel Landers]

Hi everyone,

 

Wow! it sure was good to see a low level view of the Amazon like that in 4/5 again. That is similar to the last view I had of it four decades ago as my plane lifted off from Iquitos. A huge lake flowing toward the Ocean.

 

I see they still use the same put-put boats too. But, I could see no more of either video. I am afraid the computer speed is too slow. Maybe I can get some time on a high speed machine some time soon.

 

The disposal of feces by the Kayapo is something that Suzanna did not go into in her article. It would be interesting to know what they do today. I agree, that with a large population, they likely did use chamber pots, which without glaze would surely accumulate a lot of salts before destruction.

 

There have been some reports, of the possible spontaneous reformation of the soils as they are mined, but I have not seen any corroboration of those reports. One thing I have probably not mentioned is that are reports that local worms ingest the charcoal. But, it would seem difficult for them not to, wouldn't it?

 

The thought of a local microbe that produces the humus is intriguing. But, why would they be present in so many scattered areas, without being present on the sites in between.

mel

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