The Wikipedia description of the terra preta soil.
The paper describes the bacterial diversity and community structures of a pristine forest soil and an anthropogenic terra preta from the Western Amazonian forest using molecular methods to identify the predominant phylogenetic groups. The survey provides a detailed analysis of the composition and structure of bacterial communities in terra preta anthrosols.
KIM, J. S. ; SPAROVEK, G. ; LONGO, R. M. ; MELO, W. J. de ; CROWLEY, D. (2007): Bacterial diversity of terra preta and pristine forest soil from the Western Amazon. In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry: Volume 39 , 684-690. URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]
This poster illustrates how to transform faecal waste to usable compost.
NETWAS (n.y): Primary and Secondary Processing of Ecosan By-Products. Kampala: Network for Water and Sanitation (NETWAS) URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]
This diploma thesis describes the production of terra preta (collection, lacto-fermentation, vermicomposting) as a new sanitation concept (in german).
HESTERMANN, N. (2010): Herstellung von Terra Preta bei der Umsetzung ökologischer Sanitärkonzepte. (= Diplomarbeit ). Hamburg Harburg: Techische Universität Hamburg Harburg TUHH) URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]
Critical article on the sustainability of burning biomass to produce terra preta for climate change mitigation.
KLEINER, K. (2009): The bright prospect of biochar. In: Nature reports climate change: Volume 3 , 72-74. URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]
Many people in developing countries rely upon untreated groundwater supplies for their drinking water (e.g. from drilled boreholes, tube wells, dug wells or springs). The introduction of on-site sanitation systems might lead to groundwater contamination. The purpose of this manual is to provide guidance on how to assess and reduce the risk of contamination of groundwater supplies from on-site sanitation systems and is aimed at those responsible for planning low cost water supply and sanitation schemes.
ARGOSS (2001): Guidelines for Assessing the Risk to Groundwater from On-Site Sanitation. (= Commissioned Report , 142 ). Keyworth: British Geological Survey URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]
This presentation introduces the new and innovative concept of the addition of charcoal; lacto-fermentation and subsequent vermicomposting to treat the products of urine diversion dry toilets. The new process is inspired by the practices of the pre-Colombian culture in the Amazonian region that produced highly fertile anthropogenic soil (terra preta).
OTTERPOHL, R. (n.y): a: Terra Preta Sanitation- full reuse in sanitation and bio-waste-management. Hamburg: Institute of Wastewater Management and Protection (aww), Technical University Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH) URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]
This paper gives a short overview on the historical background and the formation of terra preta in the Amazon region. The composition of terra preta and the importance of charcoal and other ingredients for the formation and their carbon sequestration capacity are discussed. There is an outlook on how to recreate this very useful and nutrient rich type of earth in a synthetic way by mentioning current sources and studies.
GLASER, B. ; HAUMAIER, L. ; GUGGENBERGER, G. ; ZECH, W. (2001): The ‘Terra Preta’ phenomenon: a model for sustainable agriculture in the humid tropics. In: Naturwissenschaften: Volume 88 , 37-41. URL [Accessed: 11.05.2019]
The objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of terra preta sanitation (TPS) systems as an alternative sanitation option. The effects of lactic-aid conditions in urine-separation dry toilets and a subsequent treatment by vermicomposting are assessed. Research focused on analysing standard chemical and biochemical properties of the toilet products to evaluate their stability and maturity, and establish nutrient status.
FACTURA, H. ; BETTENDORF, T. ; BUZIE, C. ; PIEPLOW, H. ; RECKIN, J. ; OTTERPOHL, R. (2010): Terra Preta Sanitation: re-discovered from an ancient Amazonian civilisation - integrating sanitation, bio-waste management and agriculture. In: Water Science and Technology, accepted for publication: URL [Accessed: 10.05.2019]
A floodplain is flat or nearly flat lowland bordering a stream or river that experiences occasional or periodic flooding. Read more about it in this document, which is illustrated with many photos from the field.
CRWP (n.y): Floodplain Restoration and Storm Water Management: Guidance and Case Study. Willoughby: Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP), Inc. URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]
This presentation includes an overview about water-driven waterwheels and is illustrated with photos, draws and sketches about the different water devices.
SAMMAN, M. (2005): Rediscovering the Waterwheel “Noria Al-Muhammadiyya”. New York: American Society of Mechanical Engineers URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]
A nice paper, illustrated with different pictures, about the possibilities of on-site detention.
UPRCT (n.y): What is On-site Stormwater Detention? . Parramatta: Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust (UPRCT) URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]This UN-Energy paper on the importance of energy for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)1 was drafted collectively by the UN agencies, programmes and organisations working in the area of energy, reflecting their insights and expertise. Currently, the available energy services fail to meet the needs of the poor. This situation entrenches poverty, constrains the delivery of social services, limits opportunities for women, and erodes environmental sustainability at the local, national and global levels. Much greater access to energy services is essential to address this situation and to support the achievement of the MDGs.
UN-HABITAT (2005): The Energy Challenge for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Nairobi, Kenya: UN-HABITAT URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]
Smart Sanitation Solutions presents examples of low-cost household and community-based sanitation solutions that have proven effective and affordable. A wide range of innovative technologies for toilets, collection, transportation, treatment and use of sanitation products that have already helped thousands of poor families to improve their lives is illustrated.
NWP (2006): Smart Sanitation Solutions. Examples of innovative, low-cost technologies for toilets, collection, transportation, treatment and use of sanitation products. (= Smart water solutions ). Amsterdam: Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]The webpage of the Swiss government provides large information on concepts, reports and research programmes on large-scale hydropower development.
This factsheet provides information on the link between sanitation and agriculture as well as related implications on health, economy and environment. It shows examples of treating and using treated excreta and wastewater in a productive way and describes the potential for urban agriculture and resource recovery in rural areas. Institutional and legal aspects, business opportunities and how to manage associated health risks are also discussed
GENSCH, R. DAGERSKOG, L. WINKLER, M. VEENHUIZEN, R. van DRECHSEL, P. (2011): Productive Sanitation and the Link to Food Security. Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]
This short case study focus on the technical aspects and overall performance improved water mills in Nepal. These improved water mills have brought an increase in grinding capacity as well as direct benefits to woman (involved in new economic activities).
SHRESTHA, L.K. ; SHRESTHA G.R. (2006): Opening Productive Avenues for Rural Women through Improved Water Mills in Nepal. In: Energia News : Volume 9 , 8-10. URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]
The guide is intended to provide engineers, ecologists and planners with up-to-date information and direction on landscape-based stormwater management planning and low impact development stormwater management practices such as rainwater harvesting, green roofs, bioretention, permeable pavement, soakaways and swales. The information contained in the guide will help practitioners adopt landscape-based stormwater management approaches, and will help select, design, construct and monitor more sustainable stormwater management practices.
TRCA ; CVC (2010): Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guide. Downsview and Mississauga: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (CVC) URL [Accessed: 09.05.2019]