Articles tagged with Charcoal
Scientists used fossil pollen to augment historical records of ancient Egyptian droughts and fires, including a massive 4,200-year-old drought that contributed to the demise of Egypt's Old Kingdom. The study provides insights into the evolution of societies tied to climate variability.
A study by Thorsten Dittmar and colleagues reveals that the Atlantic Ocean is receiving a significant amount of stable carbon compounds from the Brazilian rainforest, which was heavily deforested in the 1970s. The compounds, originating from charcoal left in the soil, are affecting biogeochemical cycles for centuries and millennia.
A new University of Utah-led study suggests that global cooling, rather than population collapse, was the primary driver of reduced wildfires globally. The research analyzed charcoal samples spanning 2,000 years and found a significant decline in fires post-1500 AD, which coincided with the onset of the Little Ice Age.
Researchers have found that fire was more widespread than previously thought during the Cretaceous period, potentially altering dinosaur communities. Charcoal deposits in fossil records indicate frequent wildfires, which could have exacerbated erosion and flooding.
A new study by Rice University scientists reveals that cooking temperature determines the effectiveness of 'biochar' as a soil additive. Biochar can improve hydrology and make more nutrients available to plants when produced at high temperatures.
Researchers discovered a 40-meter trench containing iron oxide extracted by the Huentelauquen people 12,000 years ago. The site indicates complex cultural practices and transmission of knowledge through generations.
Charcoal has a long history dating back 38,000 years and has been used in various ways beyond its use in grilling. It can be made from diverse materials like wood, corn cobs, and coconut shells. Moreover, charcoal is considered a renewable replacement for coal.
Scientists from The Field Museum and Royal Holloway University of London have discovered that high atmospheric oxygen concentrations in the past led to the evolution of new plant groups, such as conifers and flowering plants. This, in turn, may have promoted large and frequent wildfires, with implications for Earth's climate history.
Scientists reconstructed a 3,000-year fire history in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park using giant sequoia tree rings. The research found that the years from 800 to 1300 had the most frequent fires during this period, and that climate change may subject the trees to similar conditions again.
A new study finds that charcoal grilling has a significantly larger carbon footprint than propane grilling, with a difference of almost three times. The main reasons behind this disparity are the efficiency and production methods of LPG versus charcoal.
A new study finds clear links between abrupt climate changes and fire activity during the transition between the last Ice Age and the warm interglacial period. Biomass burning tracked general climate changes closely, increasing as conditions warmed and decreasing during the cool interval.
Researchers found increasing charcoal deposits indicating forest burning for agriculture until around 500 years ago, followed by a precipitous drop coinciding with human population decline. This suggests that post-pandemic reforestation in the Americas helped trigger a period of global cooling known as the Little Ice Age.
A new study by the University of Oregon suggests that climate change has been the main driver of global biomass burning for the past two millennia. Human activities such as land clearance and fire suppression during the industrial era also contributed to a significant decline in wildfires worldwide between 1870 and 1970.
A new study by Swedish researchers suggests that charcoal may not be as effective at sequestering carbon in soils as previously thought. The study found that adding charcoal to forest soil increased the growth of microorganisms, leading to significant losses of native soil organic matter and carbon.
Charcoal-derived biochar improves soil fertility, increases crop biomass and enhances natural carbon sequestration abilities. This revolutionary farming technique holds promise as a carbon-negative strategy to combat hunger and global warming.
A randomized controlled trial found that multiple-dose activated charcoal has no effect on mortality in patients who have poisoned themselves with toxic pesticides or plants. The study involved over 4600 patients and showed no differences in mortality rates between those who received activated charcoal and those who did not.
A fossil trove discovered in a Kendall County cave may rewrite the region's geological history. The site preserves nearly-pristine plant spores, leaves, and scorpion parts, including needles from conifers dated to be the oldest ever found in North America.
A study by Harvard researchers suggests promoting cleaner charcoal production can prevent up to 2.8 million deaths and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45-66%. Transitioning from biomass fuels to petroleum-based fossil fuels offers the biggest health benefits, but is unlikely due to economic and infrastructure constraints.
A study published in Science found that charcoal use in Africa contributes to premature deaths and greenhouse gas emissions. The authors suggest transitioning from biomass fuels to cleaner alternatives could prevent millions of premature deaths.
The evolution of fireworks is attributed to advancements in metal fuels, which produce hotter flames and more photons, resulting in brighter colors. Fine-tuning of ingredient percentages has also contributed to the improved display.
Researchers found that multiple-dose activated charcoal significantly reduced deaths in patients with oleander poisoning compared to placebo. The treatment also decreased the need for cardiac pacing and intensive care. Charcoal may be useful in treating other cardiac glycoside poisonings as well.
Marine geologists find detailed marine record of late Pleistocene era fires on land, shedding light on natural burning's impact on climate and ecosystems. The study reveals charcoal from fires on land was transported to ocean sediments via winds and rivers.