Chinese scientists turn sand into fertile soil

[cirr]

Chinese scientists turn sand into fertile soil

GBTIMES

2016/09/05


Desert land in Inner Mongolia, part of which has been converted from sand into soil by Chinese researchers. (Photo: Svdmolen/Wikimedia Creative Commons)


Chinese scientists have announced that they have successfully converted sand into fertile soil using a new method they believe could be used to reverse the effects of desertification.

The team, based in Chongqing Jiaotong University, have reportedly created a paste which, when added to sand, allows it to retain water, nutrients and air, China News Service reports.

The method has already been used to transform a 1.6-hectare plot of land in Ulan Buh Desert in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from desert to fertile land, harbouring rice, corn, tomatoes, watermelon and sunflowers.

According to the research team, which has been working on the project since 2013, the method costs between 22,500 yuan and 40,500 yuan (US$3,373 to US$6,071) per hectare.

Desertification is a growing problem in China, one which has hampered development in the country's northwestern regions.

A report last month by Sixth Tone claimed that Hongjian Nur, a lake which acts as a bird haven in Shaanxi Province, would likely dry up within the next decade.

http://gbtimes.com/china/chinese-scientists-turn-sand-fertile-soil

 

[cirr]

Sand being converted into soil

Bird's eye view of converted plot

Detailed report in Chinese: http://learning.sohu.com/20160902/n467410708.shtml

 

[cirr]

Frogs

Voles

 

[Skull and Bones]

Dayumm, this is a very achievement, congratulations.

 

[Dungeness]

This is a significant development if it can be applied in large scale. Just imagine how much arable land can be created with this innovation in China alone.

 

[LOGICAL BOSSS]

Very huge export oppurtanity surely surpass your solar panels trade with India.
But I will prefer TOT In this case with royalty paid

 

[Nefarious]

Very impressive!!!

 

[Place Of Space]

This is a significant development if it can be applied in large scale. Just imagine how much arable land can be created with this innovation in China alone.

"Just imagine how much arable land can be created with this innovation in China alone."

It's about 1.2 million KM square if I don't remember wrongly.

 

[xunzi]

It will have enormous impact. The only downside is the area still need sufficient water.

 

[cirr]

It will have enormous impact. The only downside is the area still need sufficient water.

Yes, irrigation is still needed.

But lack of rainfall is not really a problem for most Chinese desert areas.

For example, China's largest desert, the Taklimakan Desert, has abundant underground water reserves.

Same for the world's largest, the Sahara Desert.

 

[Zhu Rong Zheng Yang]

Terraforming Green Circular Economic Belt

With this Super Awesome Terraforming science + 1B1R projects
Soon, GanSu province and GoBi desert will be the new Green Circular Economic Belt.
Day by day, Terraforming Moon and Mars are getting more and more feasible.


Green Corridor * TAKLIMAKAN desert




Source: https://defence.pk/threads/environment-news-in-china.432593/page-4#ixzz4JSeYw6tu

 

[dy1022]

Frogs

Voles

Lovely Frogs!

 

[Three_Kingdoms]

This is revolutionary
Yes initially they need water supply but this is the most vital step of how rainfalls will be formed and increased eventually by gradually building up the ecosystem that supports lives on a grand scale

 

[Solomon2]

Very promising, especially when the cost per hectare is brought down further.

How durable is the "paste"? Does it have to be re-applied every season? Can harvests be processed normally or is special care needed? All these questions will have to be addressed so farming isn't just possible in theory but in practice as well.

 

[S10]

Very promising, especially when the cost per hectare is brought down further.

How durable is the "paste"? Does it have to be re-applied every season? Can harvests be processed normally or is special care needed? All these questions will have to be addressed so farming isn't just possible in theory but in practice as well.

The idea is that once you harvest whatever you planted, you leave the stems and leaves behind on the soil. You then rotate and leave that plot of land alone for a few months for the stuff to decompose. Those are natural fertilizers and moisture retainers. After a two years, you would be able to reclaim the land without any additional "paste".

The downside is you need quite a bit of water to get started. Once you get into a positive cycle though, local climate can change if the scale is large enough.