Riverbed Construction Technology using Thinned Timbers for Carbon Dioxide Sink in Korea

IRG/WP 10-50271

Dong-heub Lee, Won-Joung Hwang

The Climatic Change Convention is a big burden in limiting the energy usage like the blood of economy. The certification standard about the carbon storage of timbers after harvesting them is expected to be an important role in setting the goal for future reduction of the green house gas(CO2). The extension of a timber's life span through its preservation is one of technologies for carbon sink. Until now, as the timber is apt to be rotten quickly and eaten by worms, it has lost out to concrete in the construction market. But the fact that it is easily rotten can be interpreted as little burden to the nature environment, then it is again considered as an advantage. Because it returns to the nature after being used, so it doesn't burden to the environment. Therefore, for this reason, the fields of construction and civil engineering must actively utilize many structures using timbers. In Korea, as a part of the river development, it is being developed to store carbon in a timber for a long time, overcoming the problem of timber's easily rotten character, which has been difficult for most nations to find a solution. The principle of the technology is in that a timber in water isn't easily rotten. All rotting fungus that rotten timbers are aerotropism, so the fungus can't live without air. But in water, as the supply of air is blocked, they can't act. Therefore in water, a timber can be preserved not being rotten at least for more than 200 years. If we raise a tree for 50 years, use its timber for another 50 years, and returns it to the nature, the way will not be helpful for our Earth environment. But if we use a timber for 200 years after raising it for 50 years and return to the nature, it will absolutely be very helpful to the Earth. This is the best way to extend the cycle of carbon circulation. In making ecofriendly river, if riverbed using tinned timbers is constructed, the stored carbon volume for harvested timbers can be increased without any limit. In terms of economic advantages, a timber in water doesn't have to be dried, and can be used as a live tree. Another advantage is that it can be used with no preservative treatment. One ton of tinned timbers can construct about 5m3 of riverbed. Our expectation to the tinned timber is very big because it enables to protect the ecosystem in a river and to make aquatic space with rich variety of species. Therefore timber-riverbed is like to manage “A Forest in a River”. Because efficiently utilizing the products out of cultivating a forest can be a way to fostering sound, energetic woods, and an important preparing measure in terms of the formation of 21st Circulating Society, I intend to introduce the technology of timber riverbed.


Keywords: timber riverbed, thinned timber, carbon storage, harvest wood products, riverbank

Conference: 10-05-09/13 Biarritz, France


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