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.
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.
If you’d like to learn more about innovation around biomass transformation:
www.transformingbiosolids.org.au/research/imp... Improving technologies – Transforming Biosolids
www.transformingbiosolids.org.au/research/imp... Improving technologies – Transforming Biosolids
Improving technologies – Transforming Biosolids
www.transformingbiosolids.org.au
July 9, 2025 at 3:10 AM
If you’d like to learn more about innovation around biomass transformation:
www.transformingbiosolids.org.au/research/imp... Improving technologies – Transforming Biosolids
www.transformingbiosolids.org.au/research/imp... Improving technologies – Transforming Biosolids
Entrepreneurs are wise to seek out the ‘most urgent problems’ of their ideal customer. The customers with the most urgent problems are those most likely to carve out room for innovation (whether they like it or not).
July 7, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Entrepreneurs are wise to seek out the ‘most urgent problems’ of their ideal customer. The customers with the most urgent problems are those most likely to carve out room for innovation (whether they like it or not).
It’s Plastic free July.
This is the time to proudly stand up and show the many ways that you advocate for the minimisation of plastic.
This is also the time that you proudly advocate for certified compostable plastics as an extremely useful transition tool.
This is the time to proudly stand up and show the many ways that you advocate for the minimisation of plastic.
This is also the time that you proudly advocate for certified compostable plastics as an extremely useful transition tool.
July 5, 2025 at 5:34 AM
It’s Plastic free July.
This is the time to proudly stand up and show the many ways that you advocate for the minimisation of plastic.
This is also the time that you proudly advocate for certified compostable plastics as an extremely useful transition tool.
This is the time to proudly stand up and show the many ways that you advocate for the minimisation of plastic.
This is also the time that you proudly advocate for certified compostable plastics as an extremely useful transition tool.
I’m loving the news of the multiple new FOGO services rolling out across the country this month 🥰
#foodwaste #resourcerecovery #soilhealth
#foodwaste #resourcerecovery #soilhealth
July 2, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I’m loving the news of the multiple new FOGO services rolling out across the country this month 🥰
#foodwaste #resourcerecovery #soilhealth
#foodwaste #resourcerecovery #soilhealth
What is the bioeconomy?
I enjoyed this episode of the ‘Activation Energy podcast’ where they define different activities in the broad swathe of possibilities and discuss the near future of this exciting area of deep tech with Dr. Robert Stoner of MIT:
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a...
I enjoyed this episode of the ‘Activation Energy podcast’ where they define different activities in the broad swathe of possibilities and discuss the near future of this exciting area of deep tech with Dr. Robert Stoner of MIT:
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a...
51. Robert Stoner (Kendall Square Project) on translating academic research into businesses
Podcast Episode · Activation Energy · 17/04/2025 · 48m
podcasts.apple.com
June 22, 2025 at 4:25 AM
What is the bioeconomy?
I enjoyed this episode of the ‘Activation Energy podcast’ where they define different activities in the broad swathe of possibilities and discuss the near future of this exciting area of deep tech with Dr. Robert Stoner of MIT:
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a...
I enjoyed this episode of the ‘Activation Energy podcast’ where they define different activities in the broad swathe of possibilities and discuss the near future of this exciting area of deep tech with Dr. Robert Stoner of MIT:
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a...
If you enjoy composting avocado pits then I want to be your friend
June 12, 2025 at 3:49 AM
If you enjoy composting avocado pits then I want to be your friend
Cleaning out (one of) my email inboxes and it occurs to me that I should perhaps occassionally look up scary climate news on social media platforms. Probably best to have a good balance of hopeful and harrowing when it comes to this topic...
#Climate #Canadawildfires
#Climate #Canadawildfires
June 10, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Cleaning out (one of) my email inboxes and it occurs to me that I should perhaps occassionally look up scary climate news on social media platforms. Probably best to have a good balance of hopeful and harrowing when it comes to this topic...
#Climate #Canadawildfires
#Climate #Canadawildfires
When reviewing studies that draw conclusions from compost application, I always head straight to the methods section to see how they outline parameters and conditions that describe exactly how the particular compost batch was made. Compost aint compost folks.
June 8, 2025 at 3:24 AM
When reviewing studies that draw conclusions from compost application, I always head straight to the methods section to see how they outline parameters and conditions that describe exactly how the particular compost batch was made. Compost aint compost folks.
My bit to stop fake news: when someone posts "a recent study says" followed by bold claims but then doesn't cite the actual scientific study, be sceptical. 9 times out of 10 they will have either accidentally or willingly oversimplified the work and erroneously generalised the results.
June 2, 2025 at 8:25 PM
My bit to stop fake news: when someone posts "a recent study says" followed by bold claims but then doesn't cite the actual scientific study, be sceptical. 9 times out of 10 they will have either accidentally or willingly oversimplified the work and erroneously generalised the results.