Systems and methods for determining carbon credits

Abstract

A method of providing data relating to carbon sequestration, including the steps of: a) taking a soil sample at a selected location where a plant type has grown or is growing; b) isolating phytoliths from the sample; c) quantifying phytolithic organic carbon in the sample from the plant type to provide data; and d) providing a projection for the data to support a carbon credit claim for the plant type growing at the location.

1 . A method of providing data relating to carbon sequestration comprising:
 a) taking a soil sample at a selected location where a plant type has grown or is growing;   b) isolating phytoliths from the sample;   c) quantifying phytolithic organic carbon in the sample from the plant type to provide data; and   d) providing a projection for the data to support a carbon credit claim for the plant type growing at the location.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising calculating a claim for a carbon credit from the projection of step (d). 
     
     
         3 . A method for sequestering carbon comprising the steps of determining one or more plant types having enhanced production of phytolithic organic carbon and cultivating the one or more plant types at a location or region to increase the phytolithic organic carbon production at the location or region. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising the step of replacing existing growing biomass at the location or region with the one or more plant types having enhanced production of phytolithic organic carbon. 
     
     
         5 . A method for determining carbon credits, comprising:
 a) determining one or more varieties of plants that can be used to enhance phytolithic organic carbon production;   b) establishing phytolithic organic carbon sequestration data for the one or more varieties of plants under environment conditions appropriate to a selected location;   c) arranging cultivation of at least one of the varieties of plants in the location; and   d) determining carbon credits on the basis of the phytolithic organic carbon sequestration data and cultivation practice.   
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising breeding varieties of plants that enhance phytolithic organic carbon production. 
     
     
         7 . A method for claiming carbon credits including the steps of:
 a) determining an amount of phytolithic organic carbon arising from vegetative biomass growing on a location or region;   b) determining an amount of phytolithic organic carbon arising from cultivation of one or more plants having enhanced production of phytolithic organic carbon on the location or region;   c) cultivating the one or more plants having enhanced phytolithic organic carbon on the location or region; and   d) claiming a carbon credit based upon the difference between the amount determined in step (b) and step (a).   
     
     
         8 . A method for claiming carbon credits using formula (1):
     A=B   1   −B   2   (1)
   where:   A=an amount of carbon that is claimed as a carbon credit from cultivating a particular plant type in a specified location or region;   B 1 =an amount of carbon sequestered in phytoliths produced by the plant type at that selected location or region in a specified period of time; and   B 2 =an amount of carbon sequestered in phytoliths prior to the cultivation of that plant type at that selected location or region in a similar period of time.   
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the cultivation of the plant type includes one or more of the following: choice of plant type or cultivar; the addition of amendments to improve growth rate of the plant type; intensive growing of the plant type; or growing of the plant type under artificial conditions. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein B 1  is calculated in accordance with formula (2) below:
     B   1 =(PhytOC yield)×(vegetative biomass production)  (2)
 
 where: 
 PhytOC yield=the proportion of biomass of the plant type that exists as phytolithic organic carbon during the specified period of time; and 
 vegetative biomass production=the amount of vegetative biomass produced during the specified period of time. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein B 2  is calculated in accordance with formula (3):
     B   2 =(previous PhytOC yield)×(previous vegetative biomass production)  (3)
 
 where: 
 previous PhytOC yield=the proportion of vegetative biomass of the previously cultivated plant type(s) that existed as phytolithic organic carbon; and 
 previous vegetative biomass production=the amount of vegetative biomass produced prior to the cultivation of that plant type at that selected location or region in a similar period of time. 
 
     
     
         12 . A method for sequestering carbon including the steps of
 a) treating vegetative biomass to produce a mass containing phytoliths;   b) sequestering the phytoliths by using the mass produced in step (a) as a landfill, a road base or as a component in a manufacturing process;   c) determining the carbon content of the phytoliths in the mass; and   d) claiming a carbon credit based upon the determined carbon content.   
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein step (a) comprises harvesting growing plants. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein step (a) comprises further treatment of harvested plants to produce a mass containing phytoliths having a higher concentration of phytoliths than the harvested plants. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the further treatment comprises low temperature combustion to produce an ash containing phytoliths or an acid digestion or microwave digestion to extract phytoliths from the vegetative biomass. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein step (b) comprises placing the mass containing the phytoliths into a landfill and, optionally, covering the mass with soil or other waste disposed in the landfill, or using the mass as a component in a road base material, or using the mass of material containing the phytoliths as a component in a manufacturing process.