Biosolids are a very good nutrient source to increase microbial activity and increase tree growth #groundchat

Great video on biosolids by Dr. James Montgomery and students at DePaul U: youtube.com/watch?v=SNE2Pp… #groundchat

Heavy metals are heavily regulated and monitored by the EPA, so as long as they meet thresholds, they would be safe #grounchat

See water.epa.gov/polwaste/waste… for more info #groundchat

We are finding that biochar may have value for improving soil quality and tree growth #groundchat

Biochar might be most useful in degraded urban soils with low fertility and low water holding capacity #groundchat

Biochar might be most useful when used in combination with a compost or fertilizer #groundchat

Not all biochars are equal in their potential impacts on soil quality #groundchat

Three types of biochars we are testing in the MASS laboratory #groundchat

Biochars from woody feedstocks and with relatively low pyrolysis temperatures (500C) are preferred #groundchat

Here is good source of information for biochar: biochar-international.org #groundchat

To date, we have found minimal positive improvements in soil quality or tree growth with aerated compost tea #groundchat

The use of organic wastes for urban soil improvement appears to be cost-effective and also reduces pressure on landfills #groundchat

These are commonly referred to as organic residuals.

which are organic materials generated in urban environment that might be better used as a soil amendment rather than landfilled #groundchat

See masslaboratory.org/publications.h… to download any of our research articles on this topic #groundchat

See masslaboratory.org/presentations.… to download any of our research presentations on this topic #groundchat

Soil in the City conference next week in Chicago for more urban soil research iweasite.org/Conferences/So…

Urban and Anthropogenic Soils of Soil Science Society of America soils.org/membership/div… #groundchat

Gotta run. Thanks for having me. #groundchat