Mad Science: Better Soil From Coal

[mishalak]

I've read that lignite coal is not much different than dried peat. What if it were mixed with with old tired soils along with a small amount of animal byproducts (shit) and then covered with an inexpensive biodegradable covering to prevent erosion and also containing drought resistant plant seeds? Might it not be possible to recover lands that were turned into desert by human action far sooner than just waiting for nature to take its course? I think such an idea suggests, nay demands, that I write a science fiction story. That will be shot down by people with more actual science knowledge than myself, which is why I need MAD SCIENCE. With an out of control genius set on covering a medium sized fictional country using his Un-Desertification Robots and billions of metric tonnes of lignite. He's out to change the climate of this country to make it a source of raw materials (like cedar, oranges, tomatoes, and other things that grow well in deserts) and vacation spot for people from Europe. And he'll be the Green Dictator of course. Because this is MAD SCIENCE.

Comments

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

*applause!*

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

And I did eventually end up writing a very short story based upon it.
An Ideal Soil (http://community.livejournal.com/storyguypress/10665.html) Constructive criticism appreciated.

[scottscidmore.livejournal.com]

Not a bad concept. Note that there are usually clay deposits layered with lignite, having 5 - 10% clay in the soil is a good thing. Mine the stuff, include the desired amount of clay from the same process, crush any rocks to a coarse powder to help provide minerals (like using 'greenstone') as many worn soils are low in needed minerals.

There are two downsides to the idea, science getting in the way.

The first is that lignite and soft coals are high in sulfur compounds. These will oxidise to give sulfuric acid, dropping the soil pH too low for most if not all plants. Thus there would be a need to mix in limestone, or limestone and dolomite to get a good calcium to magnesium ratio.

The second problem is the hydrocarbons in the lignite. These extract into water in low concentrations and can cause help problems. Perhaps bacteria could be added to eat the hydrocarbons, as is done with oil spills.

A further comment is that desertification occurs where there isn't a lot of water. One other type of region that has soil fertility problems is tropical regions with relatively high amounts of rainfall, the rain extracts most soil minerals while the moisture and warmth lead to rapid destruction of organic materials. A steady dosing of these with sewage, peat or lignite, and a bit of clay, could be very helpful.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

The amount of sulfur compounds depend upon how the particular coal deposit was formed rather than on if it is a soft or hard coal. In the US hard coals are usually older and higher in sulfur per BTU, as well as per ton, than the younger western coals. Because of clean air regulations the western coal relatively low in sulfates is preferred to harder coal from Kentucky which formed in salt water conditions and is therefore higher in sulfur. But some lime would probably be a useful amendment to the process.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

And I did eventually end up writing a very short story based upon it.
An Ideal Soil (http://community.livejournal.com/storyguypress/10665.html) Constructive criticism appreciated.

[gomeza.livejournal.com]

Even great science fiction has holes in it. Go for it.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

And I did eventually end up writing a very short story based upon it.
An Ideal Soil (http://community.livejournal.com/storyguypress/10665.html) Constructive criticism appreciated.