Carbon-based fertilizer formulations and their effects on greenhouse gas emissions and soil fertility

Sulvaris’ Carbon Control Technology (CCT™) is a patented, simple, scalable and strongly economical to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) and generate multiple benefits. The newly developed high value carbon-based enhanced efficient fertilizers through the CCT, such as the CCT-ammonium sulphate, is thought to be able to remediate the soil by providing benefits such as increasing crop yield, improving soil quality, sequestering carbon and reducing soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The CCT-ammonium sulphate products have a carbon content of 14-30%, nitrogen 11-14%, and sulfur 13-15%. However, the effects of CCT-ammonium sulphate on soil GHG emissions, soil nutrient availability and microbial activities compared with other types of products that are also C rich (e.g., biochar, humic acid) need to be investigated to better understand the effect of CCT-ammonium sulphate on soil properties and processes. We will assess the effect of different CCT-based chemical fertilizers, wood-chip biochar, humic acid and traditional fertilizers (e.g., ammonium sulphate and urea) on soil fertility and the release of GHG in a laboratory incubation experiment. The results will help the industry partner refine the biochar-based fertilizers to maximize the efficacy in the improvement of soil fertility and reduction in GHG emissions.

Faculty Supervisor:

Scott Chang

Student:

Partner:

Sulvaris Inc

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing

University:

University of Alberta

Program: