Substantial carbon drawdown potential from enhanced rock weathering in the United Kingdom

Euripides P. Kantzas, Maria Val Martin, Mark R. Lomas, Rafael M. Eufrasio, Phil Renforth, Amy L. Lewis, Lyla L. Taylor, Jean-Francois Mecure, Hector Pollitt, Pim V. Vercoulen, Negar Vakilifard, Philip B. Holden, Neil R. Edwards, Lenny Koh, Nick F. Pidgeon, Steven A. Banwart, David J. Beerling Abstract Achieving national targets for net-zero carbon emissions will require atmospheric carbon dioxide removal strategies compatible with rising agricultural production. One possible method for delivering on these goals is enhanced rock weathering, which involves modifying soils with crushed silicate rocks, such as basalt. Here we use dynamic carbon ...

Rapid Removal of Atmospheric CO2 by Urban Soils

Carla-Leanne Washbourne, Elisa Lopez-Capel, Phil Renforth, Philippa L. Ascough, and David A. C. Manning Abstract The measured calcium carbonate content of soils to a depth of 100 mm at a large urban development site has increased over 18 months at a rate that corresponds to the sequestration of 85 t of CO2/ha (8.5 kg of CO2 m–2) annually. This is a consequence of rapid weathering of calcium silicate and hydroxide minerals derived from the demolition of concrete structures, which releases Ca that combines with CO2 ultimately derived from the atmosphere, precipitating as calcite. Stable isotope data confirm an atmospheric origin for carbonate ...