able to understand the subtle system of linkage between organic and mineral material in the soil, but also to supply a framework for the re-structuring re-building on all levels.
and
The colloidal system of the soil could be called a universal meeting point, a place for reality and integration. For instance, organic and inorganic chemistry, split up on academic grounds, perfectly meet as a structure-building, functional unity in the clay-humus-oomplex. While in inorganic chemistry sane ten thousand compounds are known' today, organic chemistry has descr ibed some hundred thousand. Based on its ability to undergo double-binds, carbon is free to organize in large varieties of configurations. Although it belongs to those elements which are relatively less abundant, it preferably accumulates wherever it is needed nost in the biosphere. !J:x>king,on the other hand, for the nost abundant elements in the stone-cover of our planet, silicon comes into view. It is second in abundancy, but it is never to be found in its pure form. It always combines with oxygen, the nost abundant element. (For discussion
of carbon and silioon, oxides,
CIJ/2 emission
reader will have to obtain the original paper of Dr. Graefe. Earth Regeneration Society.)
from the earth, the One source is the
That we whould imitate natural grinding, and transport by technical measures, to induce new pushes for the organic-mineral build-up of soil, seems pure logic. If, between
quartz-blocks
and salt-ions
in the soil solution, something which will bound to devel2,P, the 0 sphere should lie between 199 ! and 2999 A
be able to feed a manifold comnunity of organisms is structural
elements
of the colloidal
(9.992 nm). Colloidsare higher rankingsoil structureswith a nore luxurious energy-potential.Ground down, for exampleby glacier ice, rockdustwill secure Organic stabilityof the ecosystemsoil,,whereverorganiccolloids join in. colloids contain chemically bound sun-energy. Their own stability is high and, to a certain extent, they are able to stabilize mineral colloids, especially in the porous aggregate which is the oondition sine qua non of longevity and lasting fertility. If, on the other hand, acid inunissions hit this subtle colloid system, the soil drifts into a dramatic situation with links betweenplant roots and colloidal particles getting lost. .
As to organic colloids,
we should be aware that aromatic conpounds are the nost The waromaticity" of cellulose by lignin has already securd the stability of ~plants, which would not have been aChieved easily in unlignified cellulose. Without the incrustment of these durable phenolic substances, the first large-scale colonization of terrestr ial biotopes would have gone into another direction. Ecosystems which are not only exposed to rain, snow, hoar-frost and especially storms, but also display 75% of their biomass above ground, are in need of special physical properties to gain a secure footing and stability. wrtant.
Also, grass
the second large colonization of further terrestrial biotopes by perennial species was the result of aromaticity. This time it was the soil itself that was aromatized by humic acids and clay-humus-oomplexes which can be very well
observed in the chernozem. Perennial grass species deposit 75%of their biomass in a deeply penetrating root-system and produce the starting substance for the build-up of deep reaching black soil.
x xx High soil quality is the result categorized as static structural dynamics on the nolecular
1.
of functioning,
elements,
links.
These links
must not be of their
but we should become conscious
level:
Whenweathering breaks down stone structures 52
in the soil,
clay-minerals
are