A Greener Revolution and a No-Regrets Carbon Capture Mechanism for New Mexico
David C. Johnson Ph.D. Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Part 1: Greener Revolution
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Kelp Beds and Reefs
2500
Swamp and Marsh
2000
Cultivated Land
650
Temperate Rain Forest
1300
Tropical Rain Forest
2200 0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
MNPP (g dry aboveground biomass/m2/year
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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Reduced Water Holding Capacity
Soil Salinization
Soil Loss Through Wind Erosion Pollution Through Chemical Runoff
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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peak (s)oil…!
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How Do We Reverse These Trends? Stomach
Soil
http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/co ntent/soil-microbes
Mouth
http://ngm.nationalg eographic.com/201 3/01/125microbes/oeggerliphotography
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
Root Nodule
http://creating-a-new-
Root Stomach
http://m.harunyahya.com/tr/Dailyearth.blogspot.com/2012/09/proof Comments/38285/Examples-of-bacterias-shared-lives -of-complex-plantbacterial.html
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Plants are no different from us as they are also outnumbered by their Microbial Counterpart and depend on them for nutrient acquisition, pathogen protection and gene regulation. David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
EXUDATES
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
F:B = 100:1 to 1000:1
Conifer, Old Growth Forests
F:B = 5:1 to 100:1
Deciduous Trees
F:B =2:1 to 5:1
Shrubs, Vines, Bushes
F:B = 1:1 F:B = 0.75 F:B = 0.3
Bacterial
F:B = 0.1
Late Successional Grasses, Row Crops Mid-grasses, Vegetables Early Grasses, Bromus, Bermuda Weeds (High NO3, Lack of Oxygen)
F:B = 0.01 Cyanobacteria, True Bacteria, Protozoa, Fungi, Nematodes 100% Bacterial Bare Soil Parent Material
Elaine Ingham- www. soilfoodweb.com
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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Increasing Ecosystem Productivity
Fungal
Plant Succession Ladder as a Function of Fungal:Bacterial Ratio (F:B)
The Beginning to this research path…. Dairy Cow Manure United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) needed a composting system that allowed:
• minimum infrastructure & labor investment, • an efficient and low-cost process, • a most importantly….. a superior end product.
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Johnson-Su Composting Bioreactor
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
Johnson/Su Static Composting Technology • • • •
Reduces water usage by a factor of 6 times Reduces composting time by 66% Results in a low salinity compost (~2-3 mS/cm) Amenable to incorporation of vermicomposting after thermophilic phase (observed 10X N increase in end product)
Produces a “HIGH QUALITY” nutrient rich, fungal dominated, high-microbial-biomass & bio-diverse compost
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
~5 times more fungal mass
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
Experiment 1
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Plant Growth Comparison to Eight Local Composts Using Chile Plants
Standard Soil Tests
Biological Test
Premium Org Potting Soil
Sterilized Manure
Composted Cow Manure
Organic Potting Soil Top Soil Natures Way Top Choice
Charcoal Compost
Charcoal Compost (watered 4 months)
Peat Humus
Omni
Miracle Grow
Trial Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
12
% Saturation Calcium (meq/L) ESP (%) Copper (ppm) EC (mmhos/cm) Fe (ppm) K (ppm) Mg (meq/L) Mn (ppm) NO3-N (ppm) Org Matter (%) pH P (ppm) Na (meq/L) SAR Zn (ppm) Fungal:Bacterial Growth Volume (mL)
122 96.6 27.3 3.96 58.1 65.1 13300 65.1 5.66 3052.7 21.35 7.2 752.6 237 26.36 32.9 0.027 3804
110 7.48 21.3 9.39 15.3 194.9 3640 8.02 24.19 12.2 19.23 8.5 482.1 53.4 19.18 63.67 0.007 732
237 7.34 12.1 1.8 11.7 39.58 4450 8.01 45.17 30.5 38.5 7.8 869.4 28.2 10.18 24.34 0.031 2994
121 43.6 32.3 4.4 40.5 52.05 7480 31.3 6.74 74.7 20.98 7.5 957.8 203 33.17 26.52 0.003 1680
91.4 5.44 39.3 15.29 39.9 146.5 102 3.71 13.61 1057.6 15.27 9.6 2285.9 95.6 44.7 43.82 0.067 1096
111 43.7 30.9 9.72 66.3 59.23 15600 55.7 6.26 1971.9 20.05 7.8 434.7 220 31.21 29.11 0.060 7984
115 72.8 28.4 2.77 60.3 41.16 11700 57.8 7.64 2115.3 18.44 7.1 365.6 224 27.72 28.72 0.194 8923
117 7.59 21.7 5.57 6.05 74.44 975 3.83 16.4 5.1 20.1 7.7 298.9 47 19.67 30.8 0.070 325
126 6.9 1 1.43 2.92 7.97 945 3.53 12.89 19.1 14.57 7.9 656.9 6.21 2.72 16.32 0.404 15626
156 10.1 3.2 1.81 3.84 15.49 1010 10.8 22.16 20.13 16.54 7.78 835.4 10.1 3.12 27.88 0.420 17579
Greenhouse Trial David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Organic Matter
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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Fungal:Bacterial
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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Experiment 2
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
0.31
1.01
1.72 2.67 3.93 Beginning Soil C (%)
4.92
r2= 0.91
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
0.31
1.01
1.72 2.67 3.93 Beginning Soil C (%)
4.92
r2= 0.99
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Total System New C Plant + Root C
>70% Carbon Flow into Soils
0.31
1.01
1.72
2.67
3.93
4.92
Beginning Soil C (%)
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
Experiment 3
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Carbon (g)
Carbon Partitioning vs. increasing F:B Ratio 18
100%
16
90%
14
Root C
12
Shoot C
10
Fruit C
Maximum System Carbon Capture
Respiration Carbon Soil Carbon Increase
80% 70% 60% 50%
8
New Soil C 40%
6
Resp. C
4
% C Flow
Fruit Carbon
30%
Shoot Carbon 20%
2
10%
0
Root Carbon
Total Plant Carbon
0% 0.04
0.84
1.60
2.33
3.02
3.68
Fungal:Bacterial Ratio
Bacterial
Fungal
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Nitrogen Partitioning vs. increasing F:B Ratio 1.2
100% Root N
1
0.6
90%
Shoot N
80%
Fruit N
70%
Soil New N
60%
% N Flow
50%
0.8
Nitrogen (g)
Maximum System Nitrogen Fixation
Soil Nitrogen Increase
40% 0.4
0.2
0
30%
Fruit Nitrogen
20%
Shoot Nitrogen
10%
Root Nitrogen
Total Plant Nitrogen
0% 0.04
0.84
1.60
2.33
3.02
3.68
Fungal:Bacterial Ratio
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Field Trials of a Biologically Enhanced Agricultural Management (BEAM) Approach David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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Control (No Previous Covercrop Application) Total Dry Biomass Production = 1 ton/Acre
1 Year’s Previous Covercrop Application Total Dry Biomass Production = 5 tons/Acre
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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Conventional 150# Nitrogen/Acre
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
BEAM Transitioning 1.5 years
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David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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What Does BEAM Offer Towards Soil Carbon Sequestration?
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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Shift to Fungal Dominant Soils Conventional 23 Times Increase in Fungal Mass
Control
Transitional Transitionsal 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ug Fungi/g dry soil
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
8
Percent of New Carbon Diverted to Soil
Exudate Based Soil Carbon 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
Greater than 50% plant carbon partitioned to soil microbes
R² = 0.9441
0
1
2 3 Fungal to Bacterial Ratio (F:B)
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
4
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Higher Biomass Production Swamp and Marsh
37.25 mt C ha-1 yr-1
2000
Advanced
4279
Transitional
1980 10.71 tons C ha-1 yr-1
Cultivated Land
650
Tropical Rain Forest
2200 0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
MNPP (g dry aboveground biomass/m2/y)r
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
4
7
3.5
6
3
5
2.5
4
2
3
1.5 1
2
0.5
1
0 Desert (0.3% C)
Control (0.6%C)
Conventional (0.6%C)
Transitional (1.52%C)
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
Advanced (7.6%C)
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Soil C Percent (%)
Axis Title
Soil C Respiration (g C/m2/day)
Reduced Soil Respiration
Reduced Soil Respiration
8
Relative Respiration Rate
7 6
One Year Field Study
5
2012 Greeenhouse Greenhouse
4
2013 Greenhouse Greenhouse
3 2 1 0 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Soil Carbon Percent---Soil Fertiilty
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Changes in Soil Nutrients Over a 20 Month “BEAM” Application Period
5 sampling periods
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
Practicing a Biologically Enhanced Agriculture Management (BEAM) Approach Offers: • Faster and Greater Biomass Growth (>10 tons C/Hectare/year with potential to 37 tons C/Hectare/year). • More efficient transfer of carbon from plant photosynthates to soil microbes as exudates (bypassing a plant signature carbon vehicle). • Greater populations of microbial biomass plus a shift from plant signature to a longer duration fungal dominant soil carbon. • Reduced soil respiration rates as soil fertility along with soil carbon increases. • Increased soil fertility in macro-, meso- and micro-nutrient profiles.
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
What Impact Does Our Current Agricultural Approach Have on the Environment? • Each year, agriculture emits 10 to 12 percent of the total estimated GHG emissions, some 1.4 to 1.7 Gt C per year. (Smith, et al. 2007, Bellarby, et al. 2008) • Conversion from plough to no-till in 67 long term field experiments captured 0.570 ± 0.140 tons C ha-1 yr-1 (West 2002)
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Current Viewpoint on Carbon Capture Capability of Agriculture • Arable and permanent cropping systems can capture 0.2 t C ha-1 yr-1 and pasture systems 0.1 t C ha-1 yr-1 (Niggli 2009) • Global SOC capture potential of 0.4-1.2 Pg C yr-1 or 5-15% of global fossil fuel emissions or about 0.7 tons C ha-1 yr-1.(Lal 2004)
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BEAM Results Using BEAM approaches for the previous 4.5 years on beginning soils (0.43% C increase/year) ISAR has averaged soil C increases of 10.71 tons C ha-1 yr-1
This rate is from 20 to 50 times soil C capture rates observed by other agriculture management methods.
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Part 2: No-Regrets Carbon Capture in New Mexico
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
EPA’s Rule 111(d) –Requires a ~30% reduction in electrical power plant CO2 emissions beginning 2020 to 2050. –Approximately 6 million tons CO2/year reduction required in NM –Individual States and Power Companies are responsible and liable for these reductions. –The language in Rule 111(d) promotes implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies; however, the costs are high.
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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Rule 111(d) Allows: • Outside the fence solutions for atmospheric carbon reduction. • Adoption of currently existing mechanisms being used for carbon reduction. • Assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for agricultural solutions towards carbon reduction.
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
CAPEX Costs of CCS Pilot Power Plants Kemper County Coal Mississippi $6.1 Billion 3 Mtpa $81.33/ton CO2 + Financing (2.4 X Capex) +Parasitic Load Costs ($24-40/t) +O&M ($9.51/MWh)
SaskPower- Boundary Dam $1.467 Billion 1 Mtpa $58.68/ton CO2 + Financing (2.4 X Capex) +Parasitic Load Costs ($24-40/t) +O&M ($9.51/MWh)
Petra Nova-Texas $6 Billion 3 Mtpa $80.00/ton CO2 + Financing (2.4 X Capex) +Parasitic Load Costs($24-40/t) +O&M($9.51/MWh)
Estimated Upfront Costs of $180-$234/ton CO2
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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$400 $300 $200
Chart Title
$100
$400
COST/TON CO2 ($)
COST/TON CO2 ($)
Costs of CCS
$0
$300 $200
Low
High
Transportation and Storage 1 $100
$22
$36
$0
Overhead and Maintenance Transportation and Storage
Low
Parasitic Loads 2
Overhead and Maintenance
$22
Financing
Parasitic Loads
$90
Financing
$84
CAPEX
$59
1
CAPEX
3
Total Cost/Ton CO2
$22
$22
High
$90
$22
$84
$116
$59
$36 $90 $81
$276
$22 $90 $116 $81
$345
1 United States Carbon Sequestration Council, Enhanced Oil Recovery & CCS, January 14, 2011. 2 The Costs of CO2 Capture, Transport and Storage, Post-demonstration CCS in the EU, www.zeroemissionsplatform.edu 3 http://www.carbonbrief.org/blog/2014/10/around-the-world-in-22-carbon-capture-projects/
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
CO2 Sequestration Costs Power Company Energy Efficiencies
$625
$155
Photovoltaics
$131
CCS (Geologic)
$334 $336
CCS (EOR)
$427
No Net CO2 Sequestered!
Renewable Energy Credits
$29 $18
BEAM
$22 $17
$0
$100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600 $700 High
Low
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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CCS Liabilities • • • •
Migration of injected CO2, Unintended leaks, Seismic activity, Acidification of aquifers driving up contaminant concentrations, and • Long term monitoring • No Measurable Co-Benefits!
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
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CCS Liabilities • Civil Liabilities where third parties have suffered harm and seek compensation. • Administrative liability where authorities are given powers to serve some form of enforcement or clean-up order. • Emissions trading liability where an emissions trading regime provides a benefit for CO2 storage and an accounting mechanisms is in place should there be a subsequent leakage.
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
BEAM Liabilities and Co-Benefits Few Liabilities and Multiple Co-Benefits • Increases – Soil fertility. – Water Storage in soils – Plant water use efficiencies – Soil nutrient availability
• Reduces – Plowing and heavy tillage – Fertilizer Application – Downstream pollution of streams, rivers, lakes, aquifers, estuaries, oceans and coral reefs
Allows farmers to transition to a Sustainable and Ecosystem-friendly agricultural approach. David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Pair Soil Carbon Capture with a Voluntary Carbon Market in New Mexico • Money goes directly to participating farmers. • Improves New Mexico’s farm and ranch communities. • Money stays and recirculates in New Mexico. • Promotes satellite businesses for seed production, farm equipment and other support industries. • Brings in out-of–state revenue for energy produced in New Mexico being shipped to other states.
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Cost to Accomplish Reduction of the World’s Annual GHG Emissions = $617 Billion/year Agricultural Subsidies $281 Billion Annual
Energy Subsidies $500 Billion Annual
$4 Trillion
Potential Loss From Stranded Energy Assets
$4.9 Trillion
Health Related Damages $1.43 Trillion/year $19.3 Trillion
$1.4 Trillion/Year for Next Two Decades
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Legislative Efforts Needed to Recognize Soil Carbon as a Carbon Offset • States must submit their implementation plans for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by June 2016 • As of April 20th, Utah is the only state that has signed a law (Resolution 8) recognizing soil carbon increases in range, farm and forestry lands for carbon offsets in a carbon market • New Mexico’s Senator Sapien introduced a similar bill (SB630) in the 2015 Legislature and the action was postponed indefinitely.
Legal recognition of soil carbon in NM is necessary for industry participation in a carbon market!
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Employing BEAM on NM farmlands will help the State of New Mexico and energy producers comply with EPA 111(d) in an economically feasible way while greatly improving New Mexico’s economy, agricultural lands and farmers livelihoods.
David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University
Align your self with nature! Tao Te Ching
Questions? David C. Johnson- NMSU Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research (ISAR) New Mexico State University davidcjohnson@nmsu.edu