Warren, I've read this thread with some consternation as a soil scientist. I know this may sound like recycling of styrofoam but it's really putting xenobiotics (highly recalcitrant synthetics) into the soil. I'm not really sure if it would meet your other goal either. While quantitatively decreasing soil bulk density, as does soil organic matter (SOM) I doubt that it provides any of the other benefits of SOM. Styrofoam is a closed cell material, so even with a high surface area (internally and externally) I doubt that soil solution or nutrients can interact with these surfaces to provide cation/anion exchange or enhance soil aeration as the cells are generally filled with a synthetic gas (previously these were CFCs).
Also, there is increasing evidence that plastics release synthetic compounds, the effects of some are known others unknown. Moreover, organic chemistry of the SOM and plastics degradation are not well understood. If you have any data or literature on these questions I would be very interested. In lieu of any evidence of benefits/hazards I would strongly advise against the practice. David David M Bryant Ph D University of New Hampshire Environmental Education Program Durham, NH 03824 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 978-356-1928 On Jan 23, 2006, at 2:44 PM, Warren W. Aney wrote: > I hope to solve two problems: > --recycling of styrofoam > --improving the texture of of high clay content soils > > Warren Aney > (503)246-8613 > > -----Original Message----- > From: Wayne Tyson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Sunday, 22 January, 2006 22:51 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] > Subject: Re: Birds and styrofoam pellets > > > What do you hope to accomplish, and what led you to do it? > > WT > > At 01:21 PM 1/22/2006, Warren W. Aney wrote: > > I have been using small (<5 mm) styrofoam pellets as a soil > additive. > Since > they tend to accumulate on the soil surface, these whitish > pellets might > easily be ingested by ground foraging birds. I've done a quick > Google > search and found little information indicating whether or not this > material > might be ingested or, if ingested, that it will have adverse > effects. > Does > anyone have any information regarding this? > > Warren Aney > (503)246-8613
