Humus Formation: time lapse video
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David Yarrow
Jun 25, 2015, 12:00:20 PM6/25/15
to soil...@googlegroups.com, Western Massachusetts Permaculture Guild, kpc...@googlegroups.com, GROW...@listserv.ksu.edu, go-...@yahoogroups.com
BLACK MAGIC: Soil from Stone
a very delightful, eccentric video treat,
edible science, served up by an artist, with a french twist:
This short video is the first announcement of the - soon to follow - first anniversary video about soil (and humus) formation by microorganisms. The experiment is intended to run for three years - if I can get through it.
This video does not contain the 365 days time-lapse part. It is currently (January 2015) processed and will follow in April 2015.
This video does not contain the 365 days time-lapse part. It is currently (January 2015) processed and will follow in April 2015.
more fungi, roots and trace elements.
for a green & peaceful planet,
David Yarrow
Lacey Klingensmith
Jun 25, 2015, 2:01:27 PM6/25/15
to soil...@googlegroups.com
Thanks for sharing this video, David! It is indeed delightful, especially the close-ups of the microbes. I will happily post this on our Facebook page.
Cheers,
Lacey Klingensmith
Executive Associate, Biodiversity for a Livable Climate
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Lacey Klingensmith
Executive Associate, Biodiversity for a Livable Climate
Vice President, Harvard Extension Environmental Club
Representative, Harvard Council of Student Sustainability Leaders
A.L.M. Candidate, Sustainability and Environmental Management, Harvard University Extension School
Adam Sacks
Jun 25, 2015, 2:54:40 PM6/25/15
to soil...@googlegroups.com
It is a delightful video and . . .
From the video, I still don't know what humus is. Is it soil? Is it microbes? Is it glomalin? And there's still a lot of sand in the box - why? And just what did the microbes do to turn some of it into soil?
Maybe the video is only intended to raise questions and inspire us with the sheer magic of it all - very good things, indeed. But there was an opportunity to provide a good deal more information while keeping the bare-bones tone of the video. I wish the filmmaker had done that.
On the plus side, here's an experiment that just about anyone can do with a minimum of preparation and expense (except for the microscope). A wonderful school, gardening or community project. A return to naturalist, citizen science. Yes!
Adam
From: Lacey Klingensmith <lacey.kli...@gmail.com>
To: soil...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 2:01 PM
Subject: Re: [soil-age] Humus Formation: time lapse video
Thomas Goreau
Jun 27, 2015, 8:02:50 AM6/27/15
to soil...@googlegroups.com, Western Massachusetts Permaculture Guild, kpc...@googlegroups.com, GROW...@listserv.ksu.edu, go-...@yahoogroups.com
Very nice footage of soil life changes!
There are two reasons why this particular experimental design does not really represent typical soils:
1) Light coming in from the glass sides has produced a microscopic algae layer and a whole food chain dependent on them that is much reduced in dark soils
2) The stable moist conditions of the experiment result in much more fluid living protozoa, nematodes, tardigrades, small worms, etc. that would be suppressed in strong wet/dry cycles in most soils.
Thomas J. Goreau, PhD
President, Global Coral Reef Alliance
President, Biorock Technology Inc.
President, Global Coral Reef Alliance
President, Biorock Technology Inc.
Coordinator, Soil Carbon Alliance
Coordinator, United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development Small Island Developing States Partnership in New Sustainable Technologies
37 Pleasant Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Books:
Geotherapy: Innovative Methods of Soil Fertility Restoration, Carbon Sequestration, and Reversing CO2 Increase
Innovative Methods of Marine Ecosystem Restoration
The Green Disc, New Technologies for a New Future: Innovative Methods for Sustainable Development
No one can change the past, everyone can change the future
<_WakeTheFolkUp_160.jpg>
Sharon McGregor
Jun 29, 2015, 6:38:27 PM6/29/15
to soil...@googlegroups.com
Adam et al,
Yes, an awe inspiring video. I found myself transported to the point in earth’s history when this process occurred for the first time – perhaps many places at once across the land portions of the globe. Truly awe inspiring.
When I forwarded the video to my family, I felt compelled to offer more definition of humus, humification, and the role of microbes in the process. From a google search, I extracted the below information that is helpful background for any person not versed in this science. The footnoted information is from Wikipedia; the definitions without footnotes are from Merriam Webster’s online dictionary.
In case anyone wants to include this background as you forward the video far and wide, here it is:
Humus, defined and explained:
Noun; the organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms.
Definitions: the dark organic material in soils, produced by the decomposition of vegetable or animal matter and essential to the fertility of the earth.
A brown or black complex variable material resulting from partial decomposition of plant or animal matter and forming the organic portion of soil.
In soil science, humus (coined 1790–1800; from the Latin humus: earth, ground[1]) refers to the fraction of soil organic matter that is amorphous and without the "cellular structure characteristic of plants, micro-organisms or animals."[2] Humus significantly influences the bulk density of soil and contributes to moisture and nutrient retention. Soil formation begins with the weathering of humus. In agriculture, humus is sometimes also used to describe mature, or natural compost extracted from a forest or other spontaneous source for use to amend soil.[3] It is also used to describe a topsoil horizon that contains organic matter (humus type,[4] humus form,[5] humus profile).[6]
The process of "humification" can occur naturally in soil, or in the production of compost. The importance of chemically stable humus is thought by some to be the fertility it provides to soils in both a physical and chemical sense,[7] though some agricultural experts put a greater focus on other features of it, such as its ability to suppress disease.[8] It helps the soil retain moisture[9] by increasing microporosity,[10] and encourages the formation of good soil structure.[11][12] The incorporation of oxygen into large organic molecular assemblages generates many active, negatively charged sites that bind to positively charged ions (cations) of plant nutrients, making them more available to the plant by way of ion exchange.[13] Humus allows soil organisms to feed and reproduce, and is often described as the "life-force" of the soil.[14][15]
It is difficult to define humus precisely; it is a highly complex substance, which is still not fully understood. Humus should be differentiated from decomposing organic matter. The latter is rough-looking material and remains of the original plant are still visible. Fully humified organic matter, on the other hand, has a uniform dark, spongy, jelly-like appearance, and is amorphous. It may remain like this for millennia or more.[16] It has no determinate shape, structure or character. However, humified organic matter, when examined under the microscope may reveal tiny plant, animal or microbial remains that have been mechanically, but not chemically, degraded.[17] This suggests a fuzzy boundary
Best,
Sharon McGregor
Biodiversity for a Livable Climate
Walter Jehne
Jun 29, 2015, 7:16:35 PM6/29/15
to soil...@googlegroups.com
Sharon et al
Not just awe inspiring but profound. It first occurred 420 million years go when the fungi and algae that colonized the exposed rocks beyond the marine fringe left organic detritus in the rock crevices that bio-degraded into glomalin and humus increasing the water and nutrient retention of those micro-sites. You can still see this everywhere today under the lichens, symbioses of fungi and algae, that colonize, solubilize and bio-degrade rocks, timber and surface into soil.
At another level this formation of humus enabled solar energy, that had been fixed by photosynthesis since 3.5 billion year ago to be stored for the first time in a stable carbon matrix. In doing so it enabled organic matter to accumulate, exponentially increasing water and nutrient retention and their availability to aid the productivity and extent of bio-systems. In doing so it enabled and sustains life on land. Oxidize the organic matter from our soils and they mostly return to desert.
This microbial process of solar energy storage in humus is also the only known process in the universe that reverses entropy; defying the second law of thermodynamics that energy is dissipated. In so doing, this accumulation of stored solar energy builds up the natural capital in our soils that bio-systems have relied on for their survival and development. As we use and degrade soils we mine that stored solar energy and natural capital, inevitably degrading our bio-systems and future. Conversely we can regenerate and sustain the health of these bio-systems but only by restoring their stores of solar energy, their soil carbon levels, as nature did in enabling and evolving life on land from 420 million years ago.
Walter
From: Sharon McGregor <sharo...@comcast.net>
To: soil...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, 30 June 2015, 8:36
Subject: RE: [soil-age] Humus Formation: time lapse video
gor...@bestweb.net
Jun 30, 2015, 5:07:57 AM6/30/15
to soil...@googlegroups.com, gor...@bestweb.net, gor...@gmail.com
Humus is an archaic and nearly useless term because it pretends we know
nothing at all about soil carbon and can lump it all together as a single
homogeneous entity.
It is not! Soil organic matter is the most complex mixture of carbon
compounds on earth, whose physical and chemical properties span the entire
range from highly volatile and ephemeral compounds that rapidly decompose
or are eaten, to compounds that last for billions of years.
To understand how to manage soil carbon, we need to move beyond the
useless "humus" concept to characterizing the real range of carbon
compounds in soils and how to manage them to best effect.
> Adam et al,
>
> Yes, an awe inspiring video. I found myself transported to the point in
> earth's history when this process occurred for the first time - perhaps
> (coined
> 1790-1800; from the Latin humus: earth, ground[1]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-1> ) refers to the fraction
> of soil <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_organic_matter> organic
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-3> It is also used to
> describe a topsoil <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topsoil> horizon
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_horizon> that contains organic
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_matter> matter (humus type,[4]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-4> humus form,[5]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-5> humus profile).[6]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-6>
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost> . The importance of chemically
> helps the soil retain moisture <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moisture>
> [9]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-9> by increasing
> microporosity <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porosity> ,[10]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-10> and encourages the
> formation of good soil <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_structure>
> structure.[11] <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-11> [12]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-12> The incorporation of
> oxygen <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen> into large organic
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cation> ) of plant
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_nutrition> nutrients, making them
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-autogenerated3-13> Humus
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-autogenerated1-15>
> www.dyarrow.org <http://www.dyarrow.org/>
>
> http://dyarrow.blogspot.com <http://dyarrow.blogspot.com/>
nothing at all about soil carbon and can lump it all together as a single
homogeneous entity.
It is not! Soil organic matter is the most complex mixture of carbon
compounds on earth, whose physical and chemical properties span the entire
range from highly volatile and ephemeral compounds that rapidly decompose
or are eaten, to compounds that last for billions of years.
To understand how to manage soil carbon, we need to move beyond the
useless "humus" concept to characterizing the real range of carbon
compounds in soils and how to manage them to best effect.
> Adam et al,
>
> Yes, an awe inspiring video. I found myself transported to the point in
> many
> places at once across the land portions of the globe. Truly awe
> inspiring.
>
>
>
> When I forwarded the video to my family, I felt compelled to offer more
> definition of humus, humification, and the role of microbes in the
> process.
> From a google search, I extracted the below information that is helpful
> background for any person not versed in this science. The footnoted
> information is from Wikipedia; the definitions without footnotes are from
> Merriam Webster's online dictionary.
>
>
>
> In case anyone wants to include this background as you forward the video
> far
> and wide, here it is:
>
> Humus, defined and explained:
>
> Noun; the organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves
> and other plant material by soil microorganisms.
>
> Definitions: the dark organic material in soils, produced by the
> decomposition of vegetable or animal matter and essential to the fertility
> of the earth.
>
> A brown or black complex variable material resulting from
> partial decomposition of plant or animal matter and forming the organic
> portion of soil.
>
>
>
> In soil <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_science> science, humus
> places at once across the land portions of the globe. Truly awe
> inspiring.
>
>
>
> When I forwarded the video to my family, I felt compelled to offer more
> definition of humus, humification, and the role of microbes in the
> process.
> From a google search, I extracted the below information that is helpful
> background for any person not versed in this science. The footnoted
> information is from Wikipedia; the definitions without footnotes are from
> Merriam Webster's online dictionary.
>
>
>
> In case anyone wants to include this background as you forward the video
> far
> and wide, here it is:
>
> Humus, defined and explained:
>
> Noun; the organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves
> and other plant material by soil microorganisms.
>
> Definitions: the dark organic material in soils, produced by the
> decomposition of vegetable or animal matter and essential to the fertility
> of the earth.
>
> A brown or black complex variable material resulting from
> partial decomposition of plant or animal matter and forming the organic
> portion of soil.
>
>
>
> (coined
> 1790-1800; from the Latin humus: earth, ground[1]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-1> ) refers to the fraction
> of soil <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_organic_matter> organic
> matter
> that is amorphous and without the "cellular structure characteristic of
> plants, micro-organisms or animals."[2]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-Whitehead1963-2> Humus
> that is amorphous and without the "cellular structure characteristic of
> plants, micro-organisms or animals."[2]
> significantly influences the bulk density of soil and contributes to
> moisture and nutrient retention. Soil formation begins with the weathering
> of humus. In agriculture <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture> ,
> moisture and nutrient retention. Soil formation begins with the weathering
> humus
> is sometimes also used to describe mature, or natural compost
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost> extracted from a forest or other
> is sometimes also used to describe mature, or natural compost
> spontaneous source for use to amend
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_conditioner> soil.[3]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-3> It is also used to
> describe a topsoil <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topsoil> horizon
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_horizon> that contains organic
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_matter> matter (humus type,[4]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-4> humus form,[5]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-5> humus profile).[6]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-6>
>
> The process of "humification" can occur naturally in soil
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil> , or in the production of compost
> The process of "humification" can occur naturally in soil
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost> . The importance of chemically
> stable humus is thought by some to be the fertility
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertility_%28soil%29> it provides to soils
> in both a physical and chemical sense,[7]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-7> though some
> agricultural
> experts put a greater focus on other features of it, such as its ability
> to
> suppress disease.[8] <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-8> It
> experts put a greater focus on other features of it, such as its ability
> to
> helps the soil retain moisture <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moisture>
> [9]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-9> by increasing
> microporosity <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porosity> ,[10]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-10> and encourages the
> formation of good soil <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_structure>
> structure.[11] <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-11> [12]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-12> The incorporation of
> oxygen <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen> into large organic
> molecular
> assemblages generates many active, negatively charged sites that bind to
> positively charged ions <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion> (cations
> assemblages generates many active, negatively charged sites that bind to
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cation> ) of plant
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_nutrition> nutrients, making them
> more
> available to the plant by way of ion
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_exchange> exchange.[13]
> available to the plant by way of ion
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-autogenerated3-13> Humus
> allows soil organisms to feed and reproduce, and is often described as the
> "life-force" of the soil.[14]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-ReferenceA-14> [15]
> "life-force" of the soil.[14]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-autogenerated1-15>
>
> It is difficult to define humus precisely; it is a highly complex
> substance,
> which is still not fully understood. Humus should be differentiated from
> decomposing organic matter. The latter is rough-looking material and
> remains
> of the original plant are still visible. Fully humified organic matter, on
> the other hand, has a uniform dark, spongy, jelly-like appearance, and is
> amorphous. It may remain like this for millennia or more.[16]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-autogenerated2-16> It has
> It is difficult to define humus precisely; it is a highly complex
> substance,
> which is still not fully understood. Humus should be differentiated from
> decomposing organic matter. The latter is rough-looking material and
> remains
> of the original plant are still visible. Fully humified organic matter, on
> the other hand, has a uniform dark, spongy, jelly-like appearance, and is
> amorphous. It may remain like this for millennia or more.[16]
> no
> determinate shape, structure or character. However, humified organic
> matter,
> when examined under the microscope may reveal tiny plant, animal or
> microbial remains that have been mechanically, but not chemically,
> degraded.[17] <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humus#cite_note-17> This
> determinate shape, structure or character. However, humified organic
> matter,
> when examined under the microscope may reveal tiny plant, animal or
> microbial remains that have been mechanically, but not chemically,
> suggests a fuzzy boundary
>
> Best,
>
> Sharon McGregor
>
> Biodiversity for a Livable Climate
>
> Board of Directors
>
> sharo...@comcast.net
>
> _____
>
>
> Best,
>
> Sharon McGregor
>
> Biodiversity for a Livable Climate
>
> Board of Directors
>
> sharo...@comcast.net
>
> _____
>
> From: soil...@googlegroups.com [mailto:soil...@googlegroups.com]
> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 2:55 PM
> To: soil...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [soil-age] Humus Formation: time lapse video
>
>
>
>
>
> It is a delightful video and . . .
>
>
>
> From the video, I still don't know what humus is. Is it soil? Is it
> microbes? Is it glomalin? And there's still a lot of sand in the box -
> why? And just what did the microbes do to turn some of it into soil?
>
>
>
> Maybe the video is only intended to raise questions and inspire us with
> the
> sheer magic of it all - very good things, indeed. But there was an
> opportunity to provide a good deal more information while keeping the
> bare-bones tone of the video. I wish the filmmaker had done that.
>
>
>
> On the plus side, here's an experiment that just about anyone can do with
> a
> minimum of preparation and expense (except for the microscope). A
> wonderful
> school, gardening or community project. A return to naturalist, citizen
> science. Yes!
>
>
>
> Adam
>
>
>
> _____
>
> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 2:55 PM
> To: soil...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [soil-age] Humus Formation: time lapse video
>
>
>
>
>
> It is a delightful video and . . .
>
>
>
> From the video, I still don't know what humus is. Is it soil? Is it
> microbes? Is it glomalin? And there's still a lot of sand in the box -
> why? And just what did the microbes do to turn some of it into soil?
>
>
>
> Maybe the video is only intended to raise questions and inspire us with
> the
> sheer magic of it all - very good things, indeed. But there was an
> opportunity to provide a good deal more information while keeping the
> bare-bones tone of the video. I wish the filmmaker had done that.
>
>
>
> On the plus side, here's an experiment that just about anyone can do with
> a
> minimum of preparation and expense (except for the microscope). A
> wonderful
> school, gardening or community project. A return to naturalist, citizen
> science. Yes!
>
>
>
> Adam
>
>
>
> _____
>
>
> http://dyarrow.blogspot.com <http://dyarrow.blogspot.com/>
gor...@bestweb.net
Jun 30, 2015, 5:13:59 AM6/30/15
to soil...@googlegroups.com, gor...@bestweb.net, gor...@gmail.com
No biological system violates thermodynamics and increase in global
entropy when the entire system is considered, not just the products of
there activity in isolation.
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> div.yiv3957742358Section1 {}#yiv3957742358 Adam et al, Yes, an awe
> inspiring video. I foundmyself transported to the point in earth’s
> history when this processoccurred for the first time – perhaps many
> places at once across the landportions of the globe. Truly awe
> inspiring. When I forwarded the video to my family, Ifelt compelled to
> offer more definition of humus, humification, and the role ofmicrobes in
> the process. From a google search, I extracted the belowinformation that
> is helpful background for any person not versed in thisscience. The
> footnoted information is from Wikipedia; the definitionswithout footnotes
> is: Humus, definedand explained: Noun; the organic component of soil,
> formed by thedecomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil
> microorganisms. Definitions: the dark organicmaterial in soils,
> the fraction of soilorganic matter that is amorphous and without the
> "cellular structurecharacteristic of plants, micro-organisms or
> the weathering ofhumus. In agriculture,humus is sometimes also used to
> describe mature, or natural compostextracted from a forest or other
> spontaneous source for use to amendsoil.[3]It is also used to describe a
> topsoil horizonthat contains organicmatter (humus type,[4]humus
> chemically stable humus is thought by some to be the fertilityit provides
> molecular assemblages generates many active, negativelycharged sites that
> bind to positively charged ions (cations)of plantnutrients, making them
> more available to the plant by way of ionexchange.[13]Humus allows soil
> organisms to feed and reproduce, and is often described asthe "life-force"
> should bedifferentiated from decomposing organic matter. The latter is
> rough-lookingmaterial and remains of the original plant are still visible.
> Fully humifiedorganic matter, on the other hand, has a uniform dark,
> spongy, jelly-like appearance,and is amorphous. It may remain like this
> microscope may reveal tiny plant, animal ormicrobial remains that have
> delightful video and . . . Fromthe video, I still don't know what
> humus is. Is it soil? Is itmicrobes? Is it glomalin? And there's
> still a lot of sand in thebox - why? And just what did the microbes do
> to turn some of it intosoil? Maybethe video is only intended to raise
> questions and inspire us with the sheermagic of it all - very good things,
> indeed. But there was an opportunityto provide a good deal more
> information while keeping the bare-bones tone ofthe video. I wish the
> filmmaker had done that. Onthe plus side, here's an experiment that
> just about anyone can do with aminimum of preparation and expense (except
> for the microscope). A wonderfulschool, gardening or community project.
> A return to naturalist, citizenscience. Yes! Adam From: Lacey
> page. Cheers, LaceyKlingensmith ExecutiveAssociate, Biodiversity
> for a Livable Climate OnThu, Jun 25, 2015 at 12:00 PM David Yarrow
> ediblescience, served up by an artist, with a french twist:
> formation bymicroorganisms. The experiment is intended to run for three
> years - if I canget through it.
> This video does not contain the 365 daystime-lapse part. It is currently
> (January 2015) processed and will follow inApril 2015. so,now imagine
> DavidYarrow dyar...@gmail.com 573-818-4148 www.dyarrow.org
> http://dyarrow.blogspot.com --
> Climate VicePresident, Harvard Extension Environmental Club
> Representative,Harvard Council of Student Sustainability Leaders
> A.L.M.Candidate, Sustainability and Environmental Management, Harvard
entropy when the entire system is considered, not just the products of
there activity in isolation.
> From: Sharon McGregor <sharo...@comcast.net>
> To: soil...@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, 30 June 2015, 8:36
> Subject: RE: [soil-age] Humus Formation: time lapse video
>
> #yiv3957742358 #yiv3957742358 -- _filtered #yiv3957742358
> To: soil...@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, 30 June 2015, 8:36
> Subject: RE: [soil-age] Humus Formation: time lapse video
>
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> div.yiv3957742358Section1 {}#yiv3957742358 Adam et al, Yes, an awe
> inspiring video. I foundmyself transported to the point in earth’s
> history when this processoccurred for the first time – perhaps many
> places at once across the landportions of the globe. Truly awe
> inspiring. When I forwarded the video to my family, Ifelt compelled to
> offer more definition of humus, humification, and the role ofmicrobes in
> the process. From a google search, I extracted the belowinformation that
> is helpful background for any person not versed in thisscience. The
> footnoted information is from Wikipedia; the definitionswithout footnotes
> are from Merriam Webster’s online dictionary. In case anyone wants
> to include thisbackground as you forward the video far and wide, here it
> is: Humus, definedand explained: Noun; the organic component of soil,
> formed by thedecomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil
> microorganisms. Definitions: the dark organicmaterial in soils,
> produced by the decomposition of vegetable or animal matter andessential
> to the fertility of the earth. A brown or black
> complex variable material resulting frompartial decomposition of plant or
> to the fertility of the earth. A brown or black
> animal matter and forming the organic portionof soil. In soilscience,
> humus (coined1790–1800; from the Latin humus:earth, ground[1])refers to
> the fraction of soilorganic matter that is amorphous and without the
> "cellular structurecharacteristic of plants, micro-organisms or
> animals."[2]Humus significantly influences the bulk density of soil and
> contributes tomoisture and nutrient retention. Soil formation begins with
> the weathering ofhumus. In agriculture,humus is sometimes also used to
> describe mature, or natural compostextracted from a forest or other
> spontaneous source for use to amendsoil.[3]It is also used to describe a
> topsoil horizonthat contains organicmatter (humus type,[4]humus
> form,[5]humus profile).[6] The process of "humification" can
> occurnaturally in soil, or inthe production of compost.The importance of
> chemically stable humus is thought by some to be the fertilityit provides
> to soils in both a physical and chemical sense,[7]though some agricultural
> experts put a greater focus on other features of it,such as its ability to
> suppress disease.[8]It helps the soil retain moisture[9]by increasing
> microporosity,[10]and encourages the formation of good
> soilstructure.[11][12]The incorporation of oxygeninto large organic
> microporosity,[10]and encourages the formation of good
> molecular assemblages generates many active, negativelycharged sites that
> bind to positively charged ions (cations)of plantnutrients, making them
> more available to the plant by way of ionexchange.[13]Humus allows soil
> organisms to feed and reproduce, and is often described asthe "life-force"
> of the soil.[14][15] It is difficult to define humus precisely; it is
> ahighly complex substance, which is still not fully understood. Humus
> should bedifferentiated from decomposing organic matter. The latter is
> rough-lookingmaterial and remains of the original plant are still visible.
> Fully humifiedorganic matter, on the other hand, has a uniform dark,
> spongy, jelly-like appearance,and is amorphous. It may remain like this
> for millennia or more.[16]It has no determinate shape, structure or
> character. However, humified organicmatter, when examined under the
> microscope may reveal tiny plant, animal ormicrobial remains that have
> been mechanically, but not chemically, degraded.[17]This suggests a fuzzy
> boundary Best, Sharon McGregor Biodiversity for a Livable Climate Board
> of Directors sharo...@comcast.net From: soil...@googlegroups.com
> boundary Best, Sharon McGregor Biodiversity for a Livable Climate Board
> [mailto: soil...@googlegroups.com ]
> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 2:55PM
> To: soil...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [soil-age] HumusFormation: time lapse video Itis a
> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 2:55PM
> To: soil...@googlegroups.com
> delightful video and . . . Fromthe video, I still don't know what
> humus is. Is it soil? Is itmicrobes? Is it glomalin? And there's
> still a lot of sand in thebox - why? And just what did the microbes do
> to turn some of it intosoil? Maybethe video is only intended to raise
> questions and inspire us with the sheermagic of it all - very good things,
> indeed. But there was an opportunityto provide a good deal more
> information while keeping the bare-bones tone ofthe video. I wish the
> filmmaker had done that. Onthe plus side, here's an experiment that
> just about anyone can do with aminimum of preparation and expense (except
> for the microscope). A wonderfulschool, gardening or community project.
> A return to naturalist, citizenscience. Yes! Adam From: Lacey
> Klingensmith <lacey.kli...@gmail.com>
> To: soil...@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 2:01PM
> Subject: Re: [soil-age] HumusFormation: time lapse video Thanksfor
> sharing this video, David! It is indeed delightful, especially
> theclose-ups of the microbes. I will happily post this on our Facebook
> To: soil...@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 2:01PM
> Subject: Re: [soil-age] HumusFormation: time lapse video Thanksfor
> sharing this video, David! It is indeed delightful, especially
> page. Cheers, LaceyKlingensmith ExecutiveAssociate, Biodiversity
> for a Livable Climate OnThu, Jun 25, 2015 at 12:00 PM David Yarrow
> ediblescience, served up by an artist, with a french twist:
> https://vimeo.com/122856716 This short video is the first announcement
> of the - soon tofollow - first anniversary video about soil (and humus)
> formation bymicroorganisms. The experiment is intended to run for three
> years - if I canget through it.
> This video does not contain the 365 daystime-lapse part. It is currently
> (January 2015) processed and will follow inApril 2015. so,now imagine
> we add a few “biotic accelerants” and “specialtyelements.”
> morefungi, roots and trace elements. for agreen & peaceful planet,
> DavidYarrow dyar...@gmail.com 573-818-4148 www.dyarrow.org
> http://dyarrow.blogspot.com --
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> -- LaceyKlingensmith ExecutiveAssociate, Biodiversity for a Livable
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> Climate VicePresident, Harvard Extension Environmental Club
> Representative,Harvard Council of Student Sustainability Leaders
> A.L.M.Candidate, Sustainability and Environmental Management, Harvard
> University Extension School
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Walter Jehne
Jun 30, 2015, 9:45:56 AM6/30/15
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Tom et al
The point I was trying to make was that since its formation over 4.5 billion years ago, the Earth has received an increasing input of solar energy (due to the intensifying sun) all of which is either reflected or absorbed and then dissipated as heat back out to space increasing its entropy. Even though photosynthesis from 3.5 billion years ago was able to fix some of this energy to form organic compounds, most of these were oxidized by respiration or microbes, re-releasing this fixed solar energy, which is again dissipated to space increase its entropy.
By contrast the polymerization of organic waste by certain microbes to form complex stable carbon compounds (Humus) from 420 million years ago is the only known process that preserves and stores this solar energy and can accumulate it in fossil carbon for hundreds of millions of years, effectively reversing this normal dissipation of solar energy to increase its entropy. These stable soil carbon compounds, by enhancing the retention and availability of water and nutrients,can then be uniquely effective in enabling the fixation and bio-sequestration of ever more solar energy and carbon via positive feedback processes that enabled ever more productive and extensive organic soils and bio-systems to form across most of the land surface.
As the organic matter in these soils and bio-systems effectively comprise stored solar energy locked up in an ordered carbon matrix that has been prevented from being oxidised and dissipating, it has prevented the normal increase in entropy. By inducing the positive feedback processes enabling ever more solar energy capture and storage this soil organic matter is reversing the normal former dissipation of that solar energy, or increase in entropy, here on Earth. This defies our common understanding of the second law of thermodynamics here on Earth, indicating that these processes and compounds may indeed have a profound effect.
Certainly the sun is continuing to release and dissipate energy in accordance with this law and increasing entropy. Certainly I know of no other process or material with such solar energy storage and positive feedback capacity that challenges our understanding of this law and entropy. The fact that humus and the living bio-systems it enables appear to uniquely do this is more than interesting and worth mentioning in explaining what humus is and why it may be important.
Walter.
From: "gor...@bestweb.net" <gor...@bestweb.net>
To: soil...@googlegroups.com
Cc: gor...@bestweb.net; gor...@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, 30 June 2015, 19:13
Subject: Re: [soil-age] Humus Formation: time lapse video
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> -- LaceyKlingensmith ExecutiveAssociate, Biodiversity for a Livable
> Climate VicePresident, Harvard Extension Environmental Club
> Representative,Harvard Council of Student Sustainability Leaders
> A.L.M.Candidate, Sustainability and Environmental Management, Harvard
> University Extension School
>
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David Yarrow
Jun 30, 2015, 10:45:54 AM6/30/15
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