#topsoil

The Microbial SCP (Sponge-Charcoal-Psyllium), much like the SCP Foundation, fills a ready-made structure (like a wiki) with the content that builds a whole clandestine or underground universe. It's essentially reverse-engineering the "Soratan" product using household items to reverse the global topsoil crisis.

Recipe:

1. The Sponge = The Macro-Scaffold 🧽

In true biochar, the rigid carbon skeleton provides the physical structure.

SCP Hack: Using a natural sponge (e.g. Luffa, which is a gourd/plant fiber, rather than a Sea Sponge, which is animal protein and might rot too fast) provides that physical "scaffold." Luffa actually has a "unique microsponge structure" that is already used in science for adsorption. It gives the roots and water a physical place to flow through.

2. Activated Charcoal = The Micro-Housing 🏨

The sponge holes are too big for individual bacteria to feel "cozy."

SCP Hack: The activated charcoal provides the "nano-architecture." It is full of tiny micropores where the microbes can hide from predators and UV light. By coating the sponge with charcoal, you are essentially lining the walls of the "sponge caves" with "luxury micro-apartments."

3. Psyllium Husk = The "Mucilage" Binder 🍯

You need something to stick the charcoal to the sponge so it doesn't just wash away.

SCP Hack: Psyllium husk (or an equivalent plant-based mucilage fiber like ground Flaxseed or Chia Seed) is a natural hydrocolloid (a gel-former). It acts as a non-toxic, biodegradable glue.

Bonus Feature: Functional Hydrocolloid Fiber also mimics the mucilage found in plant roots and in the gut lining (the cecum!). It creates a moist, sticky environment that microbes absolutely love. It turns your scaffold into a "living hydrogel."

4. Soil Culture Starter = The Tenants 🦠

This is the inoculation step.

SCP Hack: Adding soil culture starter (from compost/home fermentation, special order, etc.) turns the structure from a dead filter into a living organ.

The Verdict: An "Artificial Root Nodule"

Microbial SCP is basically an artificial root nodule or a "soft biochar."

Durability Note: Unlike true biochar, which lasts hundreds of years, this "Sponge Cecum" will eventually decompose. But that’s okay! As it breaks down, it slowly releases the charcoal and carbon into the soil, becoming a slow-release fertilizer.

How to do it (The SCP SCP (Secure Copy Protocol)):

The Slurry: Mix water, soil culture, and psyllium husk/binder until it forms a loose, slimy gel.

The Coating: Mix in the activated charcoal powder until it's a black sludge.

The Infusion: Soak your dry natural sponges (Luffa slices work best) in this sludge. Squeeze them to make sure the black goo gets deep into the fibers.

The Cure: Let them dry slightly or bury them immediately near your plant roots.

!!!! I really like soil composition, especially top soil!! Top soil is made up of varying amounts of sand, silt, clay and humus (broken down organic matter)

The levels of each in the environment determines how much oxygen and water the soil lets trough and therefore also the types of plants (and animals!!!!) you’ll find in the area!

A soil composition of mostly sand will have a lot of water and air but actually too much to properly grow (most) plants which means it also doesn’t support worms and such as much, a soil composition of just clay will mean the dirt has very low oxygen and water contents, also not great for worms and (most) plants

However a soil composition with equal amounts of sand and clay will mean the soil retains a much more equal amount of oxygen and water leading to more diverse plant life and therefore organic matter that will fall to the ground and decompose!!!!

The organic matter (humus) is amazing for worms and is usually full of a lot of minerals and ions that plants need to grow (this is also mainly what mulch is and why we use it for gardening)

Anyways I’m not sure if the concept of topsoil. Counts as a singular fact, but it is something I’m very interested in especially because it’s also a really good Segway into biology and biodiversity (some topics I also love a lot)