Cation adsorption (positive ions)

1
PARADIGM SHIFT
Biochar Properties
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

• Cation adsorption (positive ions)
• Huge capacity micropore surfaces
• Increase CEC sharply (20-50)
• Increase stored growth potential
• Easily available forms
• Adsorbed on micropore surfaces
• Retain nutrients in root zone
• Simple ion exchange with roots
• Reduce leaching (40-80)
• Enhance microbial activity
• Efficient nutrient use by plants
• Reduce fertillizer applications
• Enhance growth of crops
• Higher crop nutrient content
• Sorption to detoxify remediate
• Heavy metals
• Organic molecules

Soil Class CEC
Soil as battery
Store charge as ions (micropore adsorption) Store
charge as electrons (carbon rings) Release charge
for growth Regulate level polarity Source of
charge?
Sandy 3-5 Silt Loam 10-15 Heavy Clay 20-25
LED bulb
lit by
Corn Yield CEC
Where are the electrons?
corncob biochar
80 bu 5 100 bu 7 120 bu 9 140 bu 11 160 bu 13 180
bu 16
Cations add charge to battery Anions carry charge
around in cell plant Acid charge electron
deficit
battery
Electron adsorption capacity
Charge carriers electrons negative Cellulose
micropores charge conductor Carbon ring
electron cloud capacitor Ions, membranes
biofilms circuit board
- e
Soil conducivity
- e
Capacity to contain electrons Ability to pass
electric current
Cation Exchange Capacity
Anion Exchange Capacity
Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium
Phosphorus, Sulfur, Chlorine
most Trace Elements
Nitrogen, Boron, Iodine