Space Grant Consortium - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Cacti Experiment 18 has produced 100% daughter pads while in a 14/14 night/day lunar cycle
with temperatures between 27 and 104°F. In addition, Dr Konings-Dudin at EPCC 23
is preparing
a 2009 fall biology class to further elucidate the mechanisms Nobel has observed.
High Soil Salinity. Nobel and Bobich 24
explain that high soil salinity has a negative effect on net
CO2 uptake. Nobel writes, “Net CO2 uptake for O. ficus"indica decreases by about 50%
after exposure to a 150mM NaCl solution and 83% after exposure to a 200mM solution for
10 weeks. Longer term exposure to high concentrations of NaCl has an even more
profound effect, with exposure to a solution of 100mM for six months causing a net CO2
efflux for O. ficus-indica.”
What would be the value of Cpyr if it could “filter” the salt before it gets to plant roots? In
Soil Salinity Experiment 19, we attempt to answer this question. 500ml of 200mM
(5.845gm) NaCl solution was poured into 40gms Cpyr using two single strand layers of gauze to
minimize Cpyr loss. ~350ml of the solution was absorbed by Cpyr leaving 150ml of solute to be
evaporated. Tiny bits of carbon were observed in the solution. Using a hot plate the temperature
was slowly increased from 212 to 662°F (100 to 350°C). A glass rod was used to stir
occasionally. 1.38gms of carbon-salt precipitate remained. The results of this experiment showed
a >80% 25 reduction in NaCl concentration; from 200mM to just 40mM. What does this
experiment mean? By amending plant soils with Cpyr the concentration of NaCl at the root tips
would be reduced and therefore according to Nobel increase the net CO2 uptake of O. ficusindica.
The following email 26
was sent to the team, “In conclusion, pyrogenic carbon could be
used as a barrier layer below and around high-salt soils to prevent the negative effects of
NaCl exposure to O. ficus-indica. In addition, the positive attributes of Cpyr could induce
higher growth potential for O. ficus-indica.” This translates to sustainable agriculture in
highly saline soils; reclaiming habitat destroyed by salinity and pollutants.
Pyro-DE Insecticide. When we think of crops we also think about pesticides and sometimes
normality is put aside. In an email to Chrissy Paape 27
we mentioned invasive species and Cpyr
capabilities. The following was written, “I was thinking about Cpyr adsorption properties. If
you apply an EAB insecticide (adsorbate) on Cpyr it will stay put and protect the Ash tree
for an extended period of time. Currently insecticides are applied annually. And, you can
see the problem in that Furthermore, trees succumb to EAB when they are under stress, as
you know pyrogenic carbon reduces plant stress up to 4 fold. Also as you know when Cpyr
is sequestered (Carbon Sequestration) in and around ash trees then it becomes a global
warming solution, enhancing tree growth and increasing CO2 uptake. Any study should
look at the life expectancy of the different types of EAB insecticides when adsorbed to
23
El Paso Community College, Introductory Biology, Classroom Projects; 1) Germination of
Opuntia ficus-indica seedlings, 2) O. ficus-indica pad growth, 3) Vegetative propagation, 4)
Symbiotic bacteria on roots (SEM).
24
Nobel and Bobich, Nutrients and Salinity. Additional information regarding this reference is
unknown at time of writing.
25
Some of the precipitate was carbon; therefore the reduction in NaCl was greater than 80%.
26
Thursday - July 30, 2009, 11:08 AM.
27
chrissy@space-explorers.com, Tuesday – November 4, 2008, 6:20 PM.
30