Russia ratifies Kyoto, Mikro-Tek rejoices.

The impending international ratification of the Kyoto Protocol has given renewed hope to a Timmins-based biotechnology company.

With Russia's recent ratification of the accord, over 55 per cent of the world's total carbon dioxide emitters (based on 1990 levels) are now on board, clearing the way for the accord to become international law in 2005.

That is good news for Mikro-Tek Inc.'s part owner and CEO Marilyn Wood.

Her company focuses on increasing carbon sequestration through naturally occurring fungi found in hosted plants.

Wood thought she would have to consider selling mycorrhizae, a fungi found in naturally occurring soil, to lumber companies or garden centres.

It was not her first choice to develop, market and package it for end users. But with an MBA background, she could have done it if push came to shove.

However, now that the Kyoto Protocol is on the front burner once more it has given the company reason to move forward on regional and international projects. She is discovering new countries with farmers eager to develop plantations using mycorrhizae that will help grow Mikro-Tek's carbon sequestration pool.

The Kyoto Protocol recognizes that reducing net emissions of carbon dioxide can be accomplished by either diminishing the rate at which carbon dioxide (CO2) is added to the atmosphere or by increasing sequestration, which is the rate at which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere. Sequestration can be accomplished through a variety of land management activities, some of which are reforestation and aforestation (planting seedlings on pastureland). Through photosynthesis, plants naturally remove CO2 from the air and give off oxygen.

There is some hesitancy since the Canadian government has not yet announced how Kyoto will be implemented, but Wood knows large emitters, such as oil and gas companies, will be responsible for one-third of all emissions reductions.

"Once the rules are in place we will see a move to credits, but right now we are waiting for the domestic plan to be revealed," she says.

"I expect it will be done by the time Kyoto comes into effect."

The European stock exchanges have already taken trades as high as eight Euros per tonne for carbon credits. Every credit is equivalent to one tonne of CO2

The average Canadian tree will sequester 225 kilograms of carbon over an 80-year period.

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"This would equate to 990 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per hectare of forest," she states.

Adding mycorrhizae to 10 million tree seedlings across Canada boosted their growth rate by 26 per cent, Wood says. Armed with this data, she made a proposal to Industry Canada for carbon sequestration during public hearings about five years ago on how to implement Kyoto Protocol.

Because trees grow better in southern climes, it was suggested she take her work to Chile, which has industries that resemble Canada's. Wood worked with the government there to identify domestic species that could marry with mycorrhizae.

Today there are one million tree seedling over six plantations, with a "success on growth and survival of over 100 per cent," she says. What would otherwise take 12 years to grow is now taking on average only a decade. Wood is still discovering new initiatives in Costa Rica and right here in Northern Ontario.

Trees are not the only plants being considered for carbon sequestration, Coffee and avocado plants, barley and soya are showing promise. Companies purchasing carbon credits through trading houses to offset emissions are helping developing countries. Chile farmers can grow plants that will help with emission reduction, yet at the same time produce foods to support the agriculture sector.

The Canadian protocol agreement allows companies to support plantations in other countries, Wood says. Establishing farms throughout the world is sound business strategy. Fire or parasites in one location are mitigated by other plantations she can count on for carbon sequestration, she explains.

Mikro-Tek has done research and development work with Inco, Placer Dome and Falconbridge, as well as large forest companies across Canada.

Mycorrhizae was identified when a group of researchers, including Wood and her husband Mark Kean, co-owner of Mikro-Tek, found different seedlings grew at different rates in different areas. They found lands disturbed by industry no longer had the proper microbes to sustain plant life.

Plants removed from the site will take with them the mycorrhizae (fungi). Therefore, plants being re-introduced will have to have the fungi included. Knowing what works and why is part of the ongoing development for Mikro-Tek, particularly if the intention is to reclaim industrial sites to grow vegetation.

BY KELLY LOUISEIZE

Northern Ontario Business