Section
The CO2Fixator trial is a process that involves accurately measuring the levels of carbon dioxide released after crop residues are buried. Using closed chambers, a controlled environment is created to monitor emissions. These chambers, made from inverted plastic containers, are sealed to the ground to capture gases emitted by buried and decaying crop residues. Holes have been drilled into the chambers to allow gas exchange with the outside. “SCD30” CO2 gas sensors within the chambers record gas concentrations over time, providing valuable data on the dynamics of emissions and the effectiveness of CO2Fixator in mitigating environmental impact. The sensors have been calibrated to detect gas concentrations, expressed in ppm (parts per million), from a minimum of 10ppm upwards, without limit, ensuring that the data collected is accurate and reliable. The SCD30 sensor also allows you to detect temperature and humidity parameters, useful for calibrating the sensor itself and reading the presence of CO2 gas. The experiment was conducted in duplicate both in the agricultural field and in the laboratory. In the laboratory, the tests were performed in perforated capsules at constant temperature and humidity. The soil, both for the field tests and for the laboratory tests, was prepared in such a way as to obtain a composition of 5:1 between inorganic matter and dry organic matter on all samples, corresponding to approximately 27,778 tons of dry organic matter on a hectare and approximately 100g in a container in the laboratory. Laboratory analyses are essential to understand the impact of the experiment on the soil. Through these analyses, it is possible to determine: the quantity of organic matter and whether the introduction of CO2Fixator into the soil can improve the availability of essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are vital for plant growth. In addition, the soil's ability to retain water is another important indicator of soil health, as it directly affects the resistance of plants to drought conditions. Monitoring these parameters will provide data on the effectiveness of bioaugmentation techniques and their long-term sustainability.