LAND NETWORK INTERNATIONAL

at the leading edge of recycling waste to land

                                    GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

What “Green” Really Means Ever thought why natural ecosystems don’t leak pollution?  Well, they do – but in a controlled way.  Think of the black organic soils of the Fens in East Anglia of the UK, or the forest soils of the Amazon basin, or the semi-arid regions of the Serengeti in Africa, they all contain enormous quantities of plant nutrients which, if washed out by rain, would pollute the underground aquifers, or the rivers, or the sea.  Why didn’t they?  Well, they do but in a controlled way which specifically avoids “pollution”. Definition of Life Part of the scientist’s definition about whether an organism is “alive” is that the organism is producing pollutants.  All living organisms produce pollutants.  There is always pollution in all natural ecosystems.  There are no exceptions to this rule.  Pollution So, when is there “pollution” in the common, every day, or legal sense?  Firstly, it is important to observe that there may be absolute truths in pure maths or astro-physics but there are no black-and-whites in the biological world, only shades of grey.  Secondly, there is little or nothing which nature cannot deal with provided the difficulty or the substance is spread out enough and then nature is given enough time.  So, “pollution”?  Well, if there is significant change in local living populations, then there is “pollution”.  Clearly, if excess of a toxic chemical is released at a particular point, then there will be death in the local population of one or more creatures.  Bear in mind that the human body actually needs Arsenic - but not, of course, very much.  So, pollution is a matter of degree and balance. Where, then, is the balance?  Not easy to be precise because every situation is dynamic, on-the-move, forever changing.  Indeed, in all ecosystems there is life and death, a change in balance between different species.  So, “pollution” is in the mind of the observer.  At different times or with different people, “pollution” will be seen differently.  However, there is a key understanding which is fundamental to pollution management.  Pollution Management In any situation, is there reasonably comprehensive understanding of the current balance and the route to future management?  If there is too big a change or too long to put it right, that is pollution.  LNI What LNI has is an ability to appraise that present and that route to acceptable balance.  We don’t really know if we are better than anyone or everyone else, nor does it really matter.  What we do know is that we are interested in this balance and the mechanisms involved.  We know we have a responsibility to get it right and we work hard at it.  The Closed Loop See the 'Closed Loop Mechansim' articles.  We can measure the capacity of soils to manage inputs and when they become “pollutants”.  Recycling to Land Recycling to land, when done to the limits of professional ability, uses every technology known to man and it is still inadequate.  So proceed with caution is a basic principle.  Note that “proceed” is just as important as “caution”.  Doing nothing is not an answer. Does experience matter?  - Of course.  Can we measure capacity to management nutrients and pollution in soils?  Yes we can.  See the links to SEMS and ARTICLES on the left for more information.  SEMS – Sustainable Exchange Management of Soils We can measure a soils capacity to hold chemicals and metabolise them.  The measurements are not perfect and skill is still needed to manage a future situation.  However, there are good guides, understood measuring techniques and experience to make reasonably safe judgments.  Soils are not static.  They are, in each situation, a dynamic universe of soil physics, chemistry and biology with enormous populations of micro-organisms continually driving activity and change.

Land Network International Ltd 15 Kingsmanor Wharf, Devizes, Wiltshire  SN10 2ES Phone/Fax: 0845 130 6900 Mobile :  07950 037153 Email: info@landnetwork.co.uk