The Science of Carbon Storage

Materials and Methods:
SOIL-PLUS® Treatment: Regular application of Biofeed® SOIL-PLUS® to soil samples.

• Control Group: Untreated soil samples.
• Analysis Parameters: Organic matter content, microbial biomass, Solvita CO₂ burst, nitrate levels, and potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN).
• Chemical Processes and Formulas

The core of carbon sequestration in soil involves the transformation of organic matter into stable soil organic carbon (SOC). This process can be summarized as follows:

Corganic→SOCC

The process can be catalyzed by the increase in microbial biomass and activity, facilitated by Biofeed® SOIL-PLUS®. The general reaction for microbial decomposition of organic matter is:

Organic Matter + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O + Energy

However, in the presence of SOIL-PLUS®, the process is accelerated, and more organic matter is stabilized as SOC rather than decomposed into CO2.

The increase in soil organic matter (SOM) significantly enhances the soil’s water retention capacity. The relationship is given by:

ΔWater Retention ≈ 27000 × ΔSOM gallons per acre-foot
For every 1% increase in SOM, approximately 27,000 gallons of water are retained in the top six inches of soil.

SOIL-PLUS® uses Acti-Cell Technology (ACT®) to bind and leach out salts. The chemical interaction between ACT® and sodium ions (Na⁺) can be represented as:

ACT⁻ + Na⁺ → ACT⁻Na⁺

This complex then leaches below the root zone, reducing soil salinity.

The unique enzyme H₂O-dehydrogenase in Biofeed Solutions products catalyzes the splitting of water molecules:

H₂O→H₂+1/2O₂

This reaction provides additional hydrogen and oxygen, which are crucial for microbial growth and activity.

Results
Soil Analysis Reports:

Carbon Sequestration Comparison:
To quantify the carbon sequestration potential, we need to compare the organic matter increase in treated versus untreated soils. According to the USDA, 1% of soil organic matter is equivalent to 40,000 pounds of organic matter per acre-foot of soil. Given the data:

• Treated Soil (Sample A): 4.1% organic matter
• Untreated Soil (Sample B): 2.5% organic matter

The treated soil has an increase of 1.6% in organic matter, which translates to:

1.6% × 40,000 pounds/acre-foot = 64,000 pounds/acre-foot of organic matter. This significant increase in organic matter corresponds to enhanced carbon sequestration.

Using the USDA data, we know that 1% of soil organic matter equates to 40,000 pounds of organic matter per acre-foot. For a typical 6-inch (0.5-foot) soil depth, this converts to:
1% SOM = 20,000 pounds of organic matter per acre
The carbon content in organic matter is approximately 58%; thus:
Carbon Content = 20,000 × 0.58 = 11,600 pounds of carbon per acre
Increase in Organic Matter:
If Biofeed® SOIL-PLUS® increases SOM by 2.5%:
ΔSOM = 2.5%
Increased Organic Matter = 20,000 × 2.5 = 50,000 pounds of organic matter per acre
Carbon Sequestered = 50,000 × 0.58 = 29,000 pounds of carbon per acre

For an average farm of 464 acres:
Total Organic Matter Increase = 50,000 × 464 = 23,200,000 pounds of organic matter
Total Carbon Sequestered = 29,000 × 464 = 13,456,000 pounds of carbon

Water Retention:

For every 1% increase in organic matter, an additional 27,000 gallons of water are retained. Thus, for the 1.6% increase in organic matter:
1.6 × 27,000 gallons = 43,200 gallons of water retained per acre-foot
Total Water Retention for 464 Acres:
ΔWater Retention for 464 Acres = 43,200 × 464 = 20,044,800 gallons