Better than compost
@brookclinton.bsky.social
I love all things compost and bioeconomy. This means delving deep beyond common understandings of diffuse terms like 'compost', 'humus', 'biodegradable' etc. Scientifically trained (PhD) but with a strong focus on the art vs science vs economy nexus.
Wait, did I know that Aeromonas species have been shown to be exo-electrogenic?? Lol, my Phd thesis featured a new/not named Aeromonas species, I'd love to know the capabilities of that strain. It would help explain some things.
#microbiology #biochemistry #metabolism #biotransformation
#microbiology #biochemistry #metabolism #biotransformation
February 5, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Wait, did I know that Aeromonas species have been shown to be exo-electrogenic?? Lol, my Phd thesis featured a new/not named Aeromonas species, I'd love to know the capabilities of that strain. It would help explain some things.
#microbiology #biochemistry #metabolism #biotransformation
#microbiology #biochemistry #metabolism #biotransformation
The mighty ether bond!
My first thought reading this piece was ‘how is sporopollenin so strong and enduring?’
Of course it is because it is a random copolymer involving various either linkages.
This is a structural pattern common to lignin and humic substances also.
My first thought reading this piece was ‘how is sporopollenin so strong and enduring?’
Of course it is because it is a random copolymer involving various either linkages.
This is a structural pattern common to lignin and humic substances also.
Thinking of a summer beach holiday, and maybe swimming..? Give a thought to coral-damaging sunscreens…
Intrigued?
More at plantcuttings.uk/2026/01/30/p...
Cheers!
#Botany
#PlantScience
Intrigued?
More at plantcuttings.uk/2026/01/30/p...
Cheers!
#Botany
#PlantScience
Can pollen save coral reefs?
Traditional sunscreens harm marine life, particularly corals. A new eco-friendly sunscreen using sporopollenin from tea pollen – developed by Chungmo Yang et al. – demonstrates effectiv…
plantcuttings.uk
January 31, 2026 at 8:57 PM
The mighty ether bond!
My first thought reading this piece was ‘how is sporopollenin so strong and enduring?’
Of course it is because it is a random copolymer involving various either linkages.
This is a structural pattern common to lignin and humic substances also.
My first thought reading this piece was ‘how is sporopollenin so strong and enduring?’
Of course it is because it is a random copolymer involving various either linkages.
This is a structural pattern common to lignin and humic substances also.
😍🦉🦎Hong Kong native subtropical forest restoration effort credited with the highest level certification from The Global Biodiversity Standard. Thanks to the SER Restoration Now newsletter for highlighting this good news story.
#biodiversity #ecology #restoration
www.scmp.com/opinion/arti...
#biodiversity #ecology #restoration
www.scmp.com/opinion/arti...
My Take | Native forest restoration project is literally, and figuratively, bearing fruit
The work done by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden on Tai Mo Shan has been awarded top certification by an international body.
www.scmp.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:37 PM
😍🦉🦎Hong Kong native subtropical forest restoration effort credited with the highest level certification from The Global Biodiversity Standard. Thanks to the SER Restoration Now newsletter for highlighting this good news story.
#biodiversity #ecology #restoration
www.scmp.com/opinion/arti...
#biodiversity #ecology #restoration
www.scmp.com/opinion/arti...
Heroes of microbiology: Martinus Beijerinck.
From Wikipedia "He became a teacher in microbiology at the Agricultural School in Wageningen (now Wageningen University)". Wageningen University still produces some of the best environmental microbiologists.
From Wikipedia "He became a teacher in microbiology at the Agricultural School in Wageningen (now Wageningen University)". Wageningen University still produces some of the best environmental microbiologists.
January 16, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Heroes of microbiology: Martinus Beijerinck.
From Wikipedia "He became a teacher in microbiology at the Agricultural School in Wageningen (now Wageningen University)". Wageningen University still produces some of the best environmental microbiologists.
From Wikipedia "He became a teacher in microbiology at the Agricultural School in Wageningen (now Wageningen University)". Wageningen University still produces some of the best environmental microbiologists.
I'm enjoying reading some history and philosophy of science this week because some ideas are incredibly sticky. And some of these ideas get in the way of new, refined ideas. But the most interesting discussions most likely keep all of that historical context in mind.
January 16, 2026 at 2:01 AM
I'm enjoying reading some history and philosophy of science this week because some ideas are incredibly sticky. And some of these ideas get in the way of new, refined ideas. But the most interesting discussions most likely keep all of that historical context in mind.
Yesterday I watched a YouTube where a farmer stated that they preferred vermicast over ‘a chemical I don’t understand’. In this arena ‘biology’ is pitted against ‘chemistry’ and chemistry is shorthand for just a handful of inorganic salts.
January 12, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Yesterday I watched a YouTube where a farmer stated that they preferred vermicast over ‘a chemical I don’t understand’. In this arena ‘biology’ is pitted against ‘chemistry’ and chemistry is shorthand for just a handful of inorganic salts.
This piece from the Conversation by Jemima McPhee nicely describes some of the necessary methods and attitudes that help us think about thinking, and appreciating evidence based knowledge systems:
theconversation.com/5-lessons-ab...
theconversation.com/5-lessons-ab...
5 lessons about misinformation from ancient Greek and Roman scientists
Ancient thinkers struggled to tell facts from falsehoods just like we do – and their strategies are still relevant today.
theconversation.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:13 PM
This piece from the Conversation by Jemima McPhee nicely describes some of the necessary methods and attitudes that help us think about thinking, and appreciating evidence based knowledge systems:
theconversation.com/5-lessons-ab...
theconversation.com/5-lessons-ab...
Just learnt: although H is not a greenhouse gas, it IS 'climate-active' and therefore is assigned a greenhouse warming potential (GWP)
More info:
www.csiro.au/en/research/...
More info:
www.csiro.au/en/research/...
Global Hydrogen Budget
The Global Hydrogen Budget is a comprehensive report highlighting the potential climate implications of hydrogen gas on the atmosphere, with CSIRO contributing to the findings as part of an internatio...
www.csiro.au
January 8, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Just learnt: although H is not a greenhouse gas, it IS 'climate-active' and therefore is assigned a greenhouse warming potential (GWP)
More info:
www.csiro.au/en/research/...
More info:
www.csiro.au/en/research/...
I love research like this where the goal is to uncover mechanisms so that more can be made with less (less energy, less resources/feedstock/starting material/substrate, less waste):
phys.org/news/2026-01...
Catalysis redox vinyl acetate
phys.org/news/2026-01...
Catalysis redox vinyl acetate
Catalyst behavior that could cut emissions and stabilize supply of everyday materials revealed
A Rice University-led team has unveiled how tiny molecular structures on industrial catalysts behave during the manufacture of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), a core ingredient in adhesives, paints, coat...
phys.org
January 7, 2026 at 6:18 AM
I love research like this where the goal is to uncover mechanisms so that more can be made with less (less energy, less resources/feedstock/starting material/substrate, less waste):
phys.org/news/2026-01...
Catalysis redox vinyl acetate
phys.org/news/2026-01...
Catalysis redox vinyl acetate
Some days I am very grateful for my amazing life. Reading the new CSIRO report on carbon removal on the train to Newcastle was extremely pleasant today 🤗🚉🦀
November 25, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Some days I am very grateful for my amazing life. Reading the new CSIRO report on carbon removal on the train to Newcastle was extremely pleasant today 🤗🚉🦀
A lot of science fiction in recent times assumes augmentation of biology with technology.
What isn’t so much in the popular imagination yet is that biology will play a large part in manufacturing hard tech.
Am I wrong? I’d love to see examples.
What isn’t so much in the popular imagination yet is that biology will play a large part in manufacturing hard tech.
Am I wrong? I’d love to see examples.
November 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
A lot of science fiction in recent times assumes augmentation of biology with technology.
What isn’t so much in the popular imagination yet is that biology will play a large part in manufacturing hard tech.
Am I wrong? I’d love to see examples.
What isn’t so much in the popular imagination yet is that biology will play a large part in manufacturing hard tech.
Am I wrong? I’d love to see examples.
Someone last year asked me 'what is a molecule?'
That's easy, it's a collection of atoms, delineated by covalent bonds with each other, in a particular arrangement.
That's easy, it's a collection of atoms, delineated by covalent bonds with each other, in a particular arrangement.
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Someone last year asked me 'what is a molecule?'
That's easy, it's a collection of atoms, delineated by covalent bonds with each other, in a particular arrangement.
That's easy, it's a collection of atoms, delineated by covalent bonds with each other, in a particular arrangement.
It's become a habit, everytime I visit garden supply stores I check the state of retail soil amendment, potting mix and fertiliser marketing. Statements of organic matter content, humic content, char etc are no longer reserved for small, local/online or niche producers.
This is a good sign.
This is a good sign.
November 9, 2025 at 3:01 AM
It's become a habit, everytime I visit garden supply stores I check the state of retail soil amendment, potting mix and fertiliser marketing. Statements of organic matter content, humic content, char etc are no longer reserved for small, local/online or niche producers.
This is a good sign.
This is a good sign.
I've read so many compost papers by now, that I have developed a fondness for certain authors. It's always nice to find another 'gem' in the form of a decades-old paper from people who have known their stuff for quite some time.
Have I mentioned before that I do lit searches for fun? ;)
Have I mentioned before that I do lit searches for fun? ;)
November 6, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I've read so many compost papers by now, that I have developed a fondness for certain authors. It's always nice to find another 'gem' in the form of a decades-old paper from people who have known their stuff for quite some time.
Have I mentioned before that I do lit searches for fun? ;)
Have I mentioned before that I do lit searches for fun? ;)
Permanence. A critical parameter when it comes to soil carbon preservation projects.
A couple of years ago someone asked me how long it takes to estimate soil carbon permanence. They assumed that you would need multi-year trials at significant expense.
A couple of years ago someone asked me how long it takes to estimate soil carbon permanence. They assumed that you would need multi-year trials at significant expense.
October 30, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Permanence. A critical parameter when it comes to soil carbon preservation projects.
A couple of years ago someone asked me how long it takes to estimate soil carbon permanence. They assumed that you would need multi-year trials at significant expense.
A couple of years ago someone asked me how long it takes to estimate soil carbon permanence. They assumed that you would need multi-year trials at significant expense.
My favourite agronomic trials that test soil amendments standardise for nitrogen. Even better, standardise for available nitrogen.
Too many studies have conclusions clouded by simple fertilisation effects.
Too many studies have conclusions clouded by simple fertilisation effects.
October 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
My favourite agronomic trials that test soil amendments standardise for nitrogen. Even better, standardise for available nitrogen.
Too many studies have conclusions clouded by simple fertilisation effects.
Too many studies have conclusions clouded by simple fertilisation effects.
Reading a materials science paper (non-biologists) and they just referred to pyoverdine as an 'enzyme'. I know not all enzymes are proteins but don't they at least have to be macromolecules? What term is best to use when referring to these interesting medium-sized molecules?
October 19, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Reading a materials science paper (non-biologists) and they just referred to pyoverdine as an 'enzyme'. I know not all enzymes are proteins but don't they at least have to be macromolecules? What term is best to use when referring to these interesting medium-sized molecules?
Assessing compost quality becomes difficult when you recognise that most of the indicators do not have a linear relationship across the full range of possibilities. A simple example is C:N. An ideal compost should have a C:N that is low, but also not too low.
October 16, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Assessing compost quality becomes difficult when you recognise that most of the indicators do not have a linear relationship across the full range of possibilities. A simple example is C:N. An ideal compost should have a C:N that is low, but also not too low.
More fascinating insights on iron formations:
(this time with fossils!)
theconversation.com/unusual-red-...
(this time with fossils!)
theconversation.com/unusual-red-...
Unusual red rocks in Australia are rewriting the rules on exceptional fossil sites
Highly detailed fossils are typically found in shale or other fine-grained sedimentary rocks. These ones? They’re made of iron.
theconversation.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:05 AM
More fascinating insights on iron formations:
(this time with fossils!)
theconversation.com/unusual-red-...
(this time with fossils!)
theconversation.com/unusual-red-...
Yet another episode from @markowenmartin.bsky.social that I want to listen to multiple times 😊
There is so much rich and fascinating info, that is also broadly applicable to many important matters.
There is so much rich and fascinating info, that is also broadly applicable to many important matters.
Dr. Jeff Gralnick explains the inner workings of microbial fuel cells like the MudWatt.
Excerpt from Matters Microbial 111: Shocking Tales of Metal-Loving Microbes
@markowenmartin.bsky.social
Excerpt from Matters Microbial 111: Shocking Tales of Metal-Loving Microbes
@markowenmartin.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Yet another episode from @markowenmartin.bsky.social that I want to listen to multiple times 😊
There is so much rich and fascinating info, that is also broadly applicable to many important matters.
There is so much rich and fascinating info, that is also broadly applicable to many important matters.
The other day I referred to a high functioning compost pile as an ‘extreme environment’. 70 deg C might not sound extreme to folks in other fields but then you consider the amount of oxidation that is also occurring. It’s a wonder that species (and many) not only survive this but absolutely thrive.
October 9, 2025 at 11:17 PM
The other day I referred to a high functioning compost pile as an ‘extreme environment’. 70 deg C might not sound extreme to folks in other fields but then you consider the amount of oxidation that is also occurring. It’s a wonder that species (and many) not only survive this but absolutely thrive.
Fun fact for the day: angiosperm (flowering plants) and fungal diversity both increased after the Permian-Triassic boundary, as evidenced by coal analysis.
Dai et al 2020 is a great review in this area, telling a story across the ages.
🌴🍄
Dai et al 2020 is a great review in this area, telling a story across the ages.
🌴🍄
September 23, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Fun fact for the day: angiosperm (flowering plants) and fungal diversity both increased after the Permian-Triassic boundary, as evidenced by coal analysis.
Dai et al 2020 is a great review in this area, telling a story across the ages.
🌴🍄
Dai et al 2020 is a great review in this area, telling a story across the ages.
🌴🍄
My days are currently filled with chatgpt praising my thoughtful questions. It's nice to have a friend.
😂
In all seriousness though, why is chatgpt so bad at citations? eg. 'Smith et al says X' (link provided is Jones et al, who may or may not say X)
Other preferred tool for trawling sci?
😂
In all seriousness though, why is chatgpt so bad at citations? eg. 'Smith et al says X' (link provided is Jones et al, who may or may not say X)
Other preferred tool for trawling sci?
September 11, 2025 at 10:51 PM
My days are currently filled with chatgpt praising my thoughtful questions. It's nice to have a friend.
😂
In all seriousness though, why is chatgpt so bad at citations? eg. 'Smith et al says X' (link provided is Jones et al, who may or may not say X)
Other preferred tool for trawling sci?
😂
In all seriousness though, why is chatgpt so bad at citations? eg. 'Smith et al says X' (link provided is Jones et al, who may or may not say X)
Other preferred tool for trawling sci?
Stuck record time, but I feel compelled to repeat this anytime I hear evidence of a lack of appreciation of C:N
Don’t compost food scraps without thinking about your carbon source.
Don’t compost food scraps without thinking about your carbon source.
August 1, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Stuck record time, but I feel compelled to repeat this anytime I hear evidence of a lack of appreciation of C:N
Don’t compost food scraps without thinking about your carbon source.
Don’t compost food scraps without thinking about your carbon source.
It’s an exciting time at the intersection of physical chemistry and organic chemistry, introducing circularity into the energy transition.
I’ve seen plenty of investment news pieces to indicate a growing momentum in biomass transformation.
Hooray for the 21st century! It’s about time we got here.
I’ve seen plenty of investment news pieces to indicate a growing momentum in biomass transformation.
Hooray for the 21st century! It’s about time we got here.
July 18, 2025 at 8:14 PM
It’s an exciting time at the intersection of physical chemistry and organic chemistry, introducing circularity into the energy transition.
I’ve seen plenty of investment news pieces to indicate a growing momentum in biomass transformation.
Hooray for the 21st century! It’s about time we got here.
I’ve seen plenty of investment news pieces to indicate a growing momentum in biomass transformation.
Hooray for the 21st century! It’s about time we got here.