I agree that phytoliths (plantstones) offer a cheap way to sequester carbon. However it is not at all clear that phytoliths are retained in soils for millenia on a large scale. Recent studies (I'm thinking of Alexandre et al 1997) showed that, in humid tropical regions at least, that soil phytoliths undergo an annual turnover rate of 92%. Turnover rates in drier regions will undoubtedly be lower, but there is very little research out there which documents this. For example, Blecker et al (2006) documented higher concentrations of soil phytoliths in shortgrass and mixed grass steppes when compared to tall grass, which they attributed to drier climate. My own research has suggested that higher retention rates in these regions may not be as simple as climate. Localized soil properties may also have an impact.
Paul Reyerson PhD candidate University of Wisconsin-Madison -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Matheus Carvalho Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 12:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Plantstones - a solution for increaseing CO2 in atmosphere? Dear list: I watched a very interesting talk yesterday about this. They are the "plantstones": http://www.plantstone.com.au/ Matheus C. Carvalho Senior Research Associate Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Southern Cross University Lismore - Australia ____________________________________________________________________________ ________ Veja quais são os assuntos do momento no Yahoo! +Buscados http://br.maisbuscados.yahoo.com
