Documentation of the Albedo Tech BioMembrane

This project is preliminary work for long term R&D-work to document the BM effects. It will provide us with a sound basis to determine goals and methods for the further work. Water supply and climate change are two of the most important environmental pr oblems focused today. Dry areas where irrigation is vital for production are now facing water shortages. Irrigation technology has moved from sprinklers to drip, in order to decrease water loss through evaporation. Careful application of water is also vi tal to avoid its loss through percolation, a process causing nutrient depletion in the soil and pollution The albedo (reflection of sun energy) of the soil is rarely mentioned in relation to plant production. When crops are irrigated the soil respiration rate is high. Decrease in soil temperature may decrease soil respiration, giving a higher content of organic matter in the soil. If a significant increase of this storage of C could be achieved over large areas this could make an important contribution to solving some environmental problems by decreasing CO2 discharges. The BM is unique in its composition and intended to affect 1. The albedo of the soil and thereby its temperature 2. Soil water content 3. Water evaporation through the establishment of a membrane. The BM method will save water 1. Through decreasing water percolation 2. By sealing the surface soil against evaporation losses 3. Through lowering soil temperature. The BM will be of great importance to agriculture, horticulture and urban green areas in dry zones. There are competing products, but they are based on synthetic compounds and cannot be used in food production, whereas the BM is an organic product with no harmful chemical side effects. By adding dark pigments to the BM it can b e used in cold areas such as Norway, to increase soil temperatures. Production of the membrane will be in Norway.