the truth about ecological revitalization - case studies and tools to improve your cleanups

The Truth about Ecological Revitalization - Case Studies and Tools to Improve your Cleanups

Sally Brown, University of Washington

Carbon Sequestration and Life Cycle Analysis

2

Carbon Sequestration and Life Cycle AnalysisCarbon Sequestration and Life Cycle Analysis

Andrew Trlica and Sally BrownAndrew Trlica and Sally Brown

University of WashingtonUniversity of Washington

3

Restoration SitesRestoration Sites

No soil or highly contaminated soil Disruption of process of carbon

accumulation/cycling

4

How you restoreHow you restore

Use of organic amendments Will accelerate process But are changes in soil carbon persistent?

5

Soil Carbon: RestorationSoil Carbon: Restoration

Andrew TrlicaFunded by Environmental Credit Corp, Jim Ellis, King County

6

Coal Mine, WashingtonCoal Mine, WashingtonRestored in the 1980sRestored in the 1980s

7

Centralia, WashingtonCentralia, WashingtonCoal Mine RestorationCoal Mine Restoration

52 Mg of C per hectare above conventional

0.25 Mg C per Mg biosolids

8

Highland Valley Copper, British ColumbiaHighland Valley Copper, British Columbia6 – 8 years old 6 – 8 years old

9

Highland Valley Copper, British ColumbiaHighland Valley Copper, British ColumbiaCoal Mine Restoration Coal Mine Restoration

40 Mg of C per hectare 0.3 Mg C per Mg amendment

10

Pennsylvania Coal Mines – ControlPennsylvania Coal Mines – Control

NPK applied, 20 years ago

11

Pennsylvania Coal Mines – BiosolidsPennsylvania Coal Mines – Biosolids

128 Mg ha applied, 27 years ago

12

Pennsylvania – Historic SitePennsylvania – Historic Site

13

That means…That means…

190 Mg of CO2 per hectare 0.9 Mg CO2 per Mg biosolids

14

RMI Topsoils, New HampshireRMI Topsoils, New HampshireGravel pit restoration - 5 years oldGravel pit restoration - 5 years old

87 Mg of C per hectare 0.15 Mg C per Mg amendment

15

Three separate sitesThree separate sitesData consistent across sitesData consistent across sites

16

Biosolids- carbon credits for more than just Biosolids- carbon credits for more than just soil C accumulationsoil C accumulation

17

CCX Draft protocol CHCCX Draft protocol CH44 avoidance to avoidance to

compost facilitiescompost facilitiesDefault Projected Yields of Waste Streams Diverted

from Landfilling

BECH4SWDSy

  (C02e/wet ton waste diverted)  

Waste type Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total

Food waste 0.28 0.23 0.19 0.7

Yard waste 0.11 0.1 0.09 0.3

Biosolids 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.12

Total = 1.12 Mg CO2

18

Nutrient Value- 318 kg CONutrient Value- 318 kg CO22 per dry Mg per dry Mg

S. Plant kg per Mg

CO2 conversion

factor kg CO2 per Mg

N 70.1 3.96 278

P 22.5 1.76 40

K 0.22 1.2 0

19

GHG balance for a biosolids programGHG balance for a biosolids program

20

GHG balance for a hectare of land?GHG balance for a hectare of land?

21

LCA for 1 ha in Pacific NorthwestLCA for 1 ha in Pacific Northwest

Compared Conventional restoration Restoration with organics (biosolids) Low density development

Used data on soil carbon from our sampling

Biosolids sent to dryland wheat as alternative

22

HousingHousing1,000 people per km2

Structure size 2,521 ft2

3.86 homes per ha

Road 0.43 ha/ha

Open space 0.47 ha

23

LCA ResultsLCA Results

Home and road construction and maintenance emissions dwarf biosolids tranpsort emissions

24

TransportTransport

Under our baseline modeling assumptions the haul distance would need to be greater than 30 times the baseline assumption to eliminate the net sink effect in the whole conventional reclamation scenario

25

SequestrationSequestrationSequestration

potential is greatest with biosolids restoration

Due to increased SOM Tree biomass

26

Final ResultsFinal Results

27

Additional ConsiderationsAdditional ConsiderationsRain and runoff

1 ha over 30 year period 646 ML of water 53% impervious cover 30% of rainfall = surface discharge 194 ML of water will require treatment

28

Additional ConsiderationsAdditional Considerations Recreation

2009 tourism =$14.2 billion 37% camped, hiked or backpacked Assume 1% of tourism $$ result of access to outdoor activities 354 k ha forested land in King County Over 30 year period, each ha =$31,000

29

ConclusionsConclusions

Using broader perspective further confirms benefits of restoration

Organics in restoration makes benefits one better

Sally BrownUniversity of WashingtonPhone: (206) 616-1299

Email: slb@u.washington.edu