[Foxylock]

I came across this while trying to find out the possible implications of the recent Icelandic eruptions on our crops should the ash cloud begin to fall on Ireland. It's an interesting and informative read.
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/agric/index.html

[Sive]

http://htxt.it/PKPm

....and then look at some of these phenomenal photos..........

[ormondsview]

Amazing photos Sive. We've been seeing the disadvantages of the volcano to all the stranded passengers as the way the media chooses to cover the story. Your link to photos is the real story and how the tragedy affects the locals. I'm sure people near airports will notice the air smells so much fresher w/o all the planes in the air as they do most of the pollution in the skies.

[medieval knievel]

i suspect that air pollution caused by planes near airports isn't that significant a fraction of air pollution; airports are usually sited in or near built up areas, so you'd have plenty of industrial, domestic and traffic pollution anyway.

[ormondsview]

I do believe the type of fuel is what is important. Cars burn cleaner. Planes use something else. http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/24619.aspx

[Jimbo]

The aviation sector is easy to blame for pollution, but in the grander scheme of things dont contribute as much as people would think ! Cars are much worse!

[medieval knievel]

if you're talking about CO2 emissions, the amount of CO2 generated by aviation fuel is virtually identical to the amount released by petrol (on a pound per pound of fuel burned basis)
plus:
"Aviation is responsible for about 12 percent of CO2 emissions from all transport sources. "
http://knowledge.allianz.com/en/globalissues/energy_co2/transportation/transportation_climate_cars_ships_aviation_rail.html

which works out at about 1.5% of global CO2 emissions. even cars get a bad rap; the most polluting thing the average punter does is turn on the central heating, afaik.

[cathd]

I was looking for a natural way to beef up the mineral content of my soil without 'synthetic' chemicals and was delighted when I found the perfect product in a garden centre in France. I brought home a box to Ireland the week after easter.
guess what it was?
Granular volcanic rock!!

[walltoall]

My garden got a fine coating of volcanic dust over the past week. Yes! It came from Eyjafjallajokkil. I think the nutrient value was nil, but I had to spray down my rhubarb leaves and it cost a tenner to get the car washed.

[michael brenock]

there is Sulphur in the volcanic ash which is very good for soils and helps to make soils acidic.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[monkeynic]

I'm sure I read somewhere that the most fertile soil is around volcanoes which is why people usually farm near them.

[walltoall]

I should be able to tell you next week. I'm going for a look Friday. Anyway want a sack of ash brung back?

[Foxylock]

I was there a few years ago, you must take a trip to the Gulfoss waterfall, breathtaking.