Biochar is being touted for soil improvement and carbon sequestration. Our New England soil laboratory explores the subject in lab, field and greenhouse trials. We find some surprising pitfalls especially extreme ph that will need to be overcome before Biochar is widely used for soil application.
Tags: Carbon Sequestration Biochar soil global warming charcoal
Compost is widely believed to be clean and safe, but Woods End's research shows this depends on using proper methods and not having piles too big- otherwise, compost can be as unclean as raw manure.
Tags: Pathogens manure plant pathogens natural waste E. coli fecal coliform recycled products toxins biogas compost
Organic waste may have considerable energy content if converted by means of anaerobic digestion into biogas- a mixture of flammable methane (CH4) and CO2 (plus water and some hydrogen sulfide).
Tags: Biogas Food scraps bioenergy Methane digestion methanogenic reaction Woods End Lab
Imagine being able to see a bioplastic bag as it breaks down- providing convincing evidence that a claim is real. Woods End lab's biodegradation studio enables our clients to "see inside" active compost piles where a product is being composted with our custom designed, glass surfaced Bio-Boxes. Ads like this for the sunchips compostable bag were created using time-lapse photography at the Woods End Studio.
Performing lab tests that accurately reveal compost quality requires skills in soil testing, manure testing and microbiology. By combining these disciplines Woods End Lab offers some of the most advanced - yet very practical tests.
Tags: nutrient testing bacterial testing pathogens heavy metals compost environmental testing
Compost may be a good soil amendment - but really only when its quality suits the organic farming or plant seedling application. Our lab has unique skills in evaluating and selecting compost for best use for organic growers and for plant container mixes.
Tags: pH nutrient deficiency soil consulting soil quality crop yields soil testing container mix soil amendment
What's in a compost? That means looking at biological, chemical and physical properties. Will Brinton, Founder of Woods End explains the process of testing compost.
Tags: analyzing compost analyzing waste biological testing physical testing environmental testing compost sample compost testing compost potential
