The SEER Centre F.A.Q.
Please choose a question from the table below, or just scroll down the page and read at your leisure. More questions and answers will be added to this section over time.
Climate Change Questions
 What is climate change?
 When the balance between soil fertility, atmospheric carbon, ocean mineral content and temperature is upset.
What are the effects of climate change?
As we have seen, it is difficult to predict just what changes will occur, where and to whom. Science is not agreed, and there are several "models" in use to predict the outcome. Changes are more likely to reflect extremes in weather patterns than either a general rise in temperature or a fall.
One area of change is in the water cycle. Levels of water vapour in the atmosphere will be subject to increase in various parts of the world. Factors affecting this include:
- increased evaporation from tropical regions as Earth surface temperatures rise
- movements of water vapour from hot to more temperate regions
- water vapour emissions from burning fossil fuels
Thus, an increase in monsoon conditions and flooding can be expected. However, reduced transpiration from plants caused by a reduction in surface vegetation will lead to droughts in some areas.
Changes in the weight of the ice caps will cause instabilities in the Earth's crust, leading to more tectonic activity (earthquakes and volcanoes) in zones of weakness. Volcanic eruptions in particular are a major cause of carbon emissions, thus increasing climate change instability.
A major concern to the UK is that changes in the tropics will lead to the diversion of the Gulf Stream from our western shores. While this will undoubtedly have a distinctly cooling effect on Britain's weather, the global consequences of this are far reaching and difficult to predict.
Because of climate change, when our weather comes from the Tropics it is warmer than in the past - summer or winter. It is colder than in the past when it comes from the polar regions. This is why in December 2001 Tunis in North Africa recorded -1oc. A record cold of -34oc was recorded in Turkey (at a time when it is normally -2). Damascus had around 15cm of snow, while in Greece there was 45cm of snow.
First world countries are already spending billions solving nothing, merely coping, with just one aspect of climate change - floods.
How does using SEER Rockdust help us manage climate change?
Under normal conditions - that is, without the negative impact of humankind in the last 200 years, it is largely the annual rate of weathering of rocks which controls atmospheric carbon dioxide. Using SEER Rockdust accelerates the weathering process by hundreds or maybe thousands of years, depending on how much is applied. The calcium and magnesium content in the rocks combines with atmospheric carbon to form carbonates. The faster silicate rocks "weather", the faster carbon is removed from the atmosphere.
Weathering is accelerated by the action of organic acids released from leaf-fall and other organic mulches. SEER Rockdust, applied with organic mulches, simulates the natural weathering process, sequestering atmospheric carbon and replace eroded soils. It is a vital weapon, along with reducing carbon emissions and maintaining surface vegetation, in stabilising atmospheric carbon.
The use of SEER Rockdust will reduce or even eliminate our dependence on artificially produced chemical fertilisers, often based on fossil fuels, which themselves contribute to climate change and degrade soils.
Organic Farming Questions
How is an organic farm different from others?
The aim on most modern farms is to increase crop yields using whatever chemical means are available. Organic farms aim to create fertile soils, strong healthy crops, animals and people, without the use of chemical fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides or fungicides.
Farming Questions
What type of extra yield does SEER Rockdust give to potatoes, corn, barley, grass?
We cannot say for farming land of differing soil types. Research needs to be done, records kept and samples taken by those who experiment with it. We have a "poor soil" terrace here, ph 4.5. Plants, even peas, do not do well. A 2 year dose of SEER Rockdust was applied to one half and we doubled the yield by the 2nd growing season. The 2 year dose was used up within the 2 years so we have now put a 10 year dose on the same half and we will see if we can more than double the yield.
How much SEER Rockdust do you apply to the acre?
1 year dose - 2 tons per acre. 10 year dose - 20 tons per acre.
What type of minerals are in SEER Rockdust?
78 minerals and trace elements that are present in fertile volcanic soils. Our observations are that worms eat decomposing vegetation and SEER Rockdust, depositing remineralised wormcasts onto the soil, releasing minerals into the soil, then the various plants take everything they individually need, from the remineralised soil. It contains the minerals that farmers are looking for.
What is the best way for the farmer to spread SEER Rockdust?
Lime-spreader, don't spread dry dust on fields as the finer particles will blow away. Apply damp to ensure it falls on your soil.
If SEER Rockdust is applied to the ground now when would you see the advantage?
It depends how many worms are in your soil and on weather conditions. If worm population is good and rainfall regular you should see results within one growing season. What we have observed is that when you apply SEER Rockdust your worm population should start to increase so results should be evident by the 2nd growing season. This is why we recommend the 10 year dose: You have feedstock for your worms for 5 to 10 years and you don't need to apply any other fertilisers so you decrease compaction of the soil (the worms' areated habitat). The uninhibited worms can then get on and dig the soil for you. You therefore use less fossil fuels (saving money) and an added bonus is that your remineralised soil absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, improving your micro-climate. If farming, forestry, waste and water manage-ment and gardeners worldwide were to incorporate remineralisation, it is possible we could stabilise climate-change and feed the world within a generation.
Can you apply SEER Rockdust only without any other fertiliser?
Yes, we have used farmyard manure and compost in poor soil experiments: "soil, manure and SEER Rockdust" gave highest nitrogen count and biggest yields. Do NOT use lime as it will bind up all the minerals. SEER Rockdust raises the ph of poor soil.
SEER Rockdust Questions
How can I use SEER Rockdust in my organic garden?
- Applied directly to weed-free, bare soil to a depth of approximately 2mm, SEER Rockdust will increase and improve plant growth. Lightly fork into surface.
- There may be a delay before you observe differences. SEER Rockdust relies on soil micro-organisms to break down particles and make them available for plant uptake. Apply in Autumn and, depending on your level of soil organisms, you may see results the following year. Fertility will continue to improve over the next 3-4 years. In some cases, you may not need to re-apply for 10 years.
- Sowing a green manure when you first apply SEER Rockdust appears to "kick-start" the process, promoting soil organisms and increasing the rate at which rock dusts are broken down. Suitable green manures include agricultural lupins, field beans, tares, annual rye grasses and mustard (but use the latter in a rotation with other brassicas if growing vegetables as it is susceptible to club root)
- SEER Rockdust may be combined with compost or leaf mould from the compost heap to create a new growing medium which can be applied to the garden and is suitable for raised beds and container planting. As all home-produced compost will vary, experiment with quantities to gain best results.
- Prepare home-made remineralised potting composts using SEER Rockdust and leaf mould or worm compost, and use for growing on plants and rooted cuttings, transplanting house plants or for making grow bags.
- When added to materials for composting, the Scottish Agricultural College found that SEER Rockdust speeded up the rate of decomposition and maturing of compost, leading to a better product. Try it as a compost activator.
- SEER Rockdust applied to lawns brings out the richness of the grass and will enhance appearance without increasing the rate of growth.
- Of course, if you have more SEER Rockdust than you need, it makes a first class surface for paths as well!
Where Can I get SEER Rockdust, and are all rock dusts suitable?
SEER Rockdust is available directly from the SEER Centre and now through our small network of distibutors. Please click here to find out your nearest stockist.
Appropriate rockdust for remineralisation purposes is not available at all quarries. Exercise caution as some rocks contain toxic elements and heavy metals, and some are just useless for remineralisation.
What's the difference between using SEER Rockdust and using chemical fertiliser?
SEER Rockdust, like dolomitic limestone, is a natural product which is not manufactured and does not leave toxic residues, therefore it is suitable for organic gardening. Indeed, some research has suggested it can help bind up toxins in the soil where chemicals have been used in the past, thus mastering the conversion to organic phase. This could help farmers wishing to convert to organic systems.
Does it matter if the SEER Rockdust I get has lumps and stones in it?
Not necessarily. So long as there is a good proportion of fine particles, the minerals will get to work quite quickly. The lumps will be gradually broken down to release nutrients over successive years. Avoid material that has lots of chunks bigger than a thumbnail.
My compost has bits of stick and straw in it that haven't broken down. Is it OK to mix with SEER Rockdust?
Try adding SEER Rockdust to your compost heap to break things down more completely. Remove any sticks or undigested material, as this will use up nitrogen as it decomposes. Chopping up plant material before adding it to the heap helps.
Can SEER Rockdust be used as a liquid manure?
SEER Rockdust doesn't dissolve, but can be mixed with water as a way of applying it to the soil.
SEER Centre Questions
Why is it called the SEER Centre?
| S for Sustainable |
our methods conserve the Earth's resources, use and recycle waste products, reduce greenhouse gases, and do not pollute the environment with unnecessary chemicals. |
| E for Ecological |
because our techniques recognise the value of other organisms in the food chain and we recognise the connections between soil, water and atmosphere. |
| E for Earth |
because it's the only home we've got and what we do here, we do for the planet. |
| R for Regeneration |
through remineralisation, we regenerate soil fertility and restore the balance between soil, water and atmosphere. |
Soil Questions
What is Soil remineralisation?
To begin with, let's look at the climate history of the Earth. Everyone's heard of the Ice Age. But there have been several Ice Ages during the Earth's history. The remarkable thing about them is they seem to have lasted for roughly the same length of time - around 90,000 years. During this long period, glaciers and walls of ice scrape to and fro over much of the Earth's surface. Any soil is quickly lost, and the underlying rocks are ground into dust and fine material. This dust, containing a wide range of minerals, is suspended in the ice in huge quantities. At the end of each glacial period, it is deposited over the surface of the Earth as the ice melts and the glaciers retreat.
Following the end of each Ice Age, there comes a period, called an interglacial. Plant life returns. Pioneer trees drop leaves and, with the minerals crushed by glaciers, soil forms. Atmospheric carbon is absorbed by expanding tree cover, microbial organisms, and larger animals, increasing organic build up. Soils deepen, until an optimum level of fertility is reached. In the present interglacial this was about 7000 years ago, when trees were up to 8 times bigger than anything on earth now, and global soil depth averaged 2.2m
The length of an interglacial is between 9.6 and 11.5 thousand years. This one is approximately 10,800 years old. The minerals made available during the last Ice Age are gone from our soils, used up or washed away into the sea. The carbon that was part of these giant trees and deep soil is now in the atmosphere, along with our fossil fuel carbon. Man's activities in the past 200 years have increased rates of soil erosion, causing more and more chemical fertiliser to be applied as fertility has reduced - and more environmental problems.
Soil remineralisation mimics the natural processes of glaciation. By applying SEER Rockdust, available in large quantities as a waste product of quarrying, to the soil, mineral availability is increased. Together with increased carbon in the atmosphere, we can regrow soil and stabilise climate change. For gardeners, this technique could mean brighter gardens, less chemicals, healthier crops and a chance to contribute to the regeneration of the Earth's soils and atmosphere.
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