In-field carbon dioxide removal via weathering of crushed basalt applied to acidic tropical agricultural soil

Fredrick J. Holden, Kalu Davies, Michael I. Bird, Ruby Hume, Hannah Green, David J. Beerling, Paul N. Nelson ABSTRACT: Enhanced weathering (EW) of silicate rocks such as basalt provides a potential carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology for combatting climate change. Modelling and mesocosm studies suggest significant CDR via EW but there are few field studies. This study aimed to directly measure in-field CDR via EW of basalt applied to sugarcane on acidic (pH 5.8, 0–0.25 m) Ultisol in tropical northeastern Australia, where weathering potential is high. Coarsely crushed basalt produced as a byproduct of gravel manufacture (<5 mm) was ...

India’s biogeochemical capacity to attain food security and remediate climate

Ishfaq Ahmad Mir, Thomas J F Goreau, Joanna Campe, James Jerden Abstract In order to supply wholesome food and slow down climate change, this paper covers India's agrogeological resources. The soils are the result of the weathering of rocks with ages ranging from more than a billion years to the most recent Holocene. Because they are severely deficient in vital minerals, many soils have low agricultural production. In addition to helping to fertilise soils, reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and stop the acidification of the Indian Ocean, rock powder weathering and biochar have significant positive effects on the productivity of Indian ...

Silicate production and availability for mineral carbonation

P. Renforth*, C.-L. Washbourne, J. Taylder, and D. A. C. Manning Abstract Atmospheric carbon dioxide sequestered as carbonates through the accelerated weathering of silicate minerals is proposed as a climate change mitigation technology with the potential to capture billions of tonnes of carbon per year. Although these materials can be mined expressly for carbonation, they are also produced by human activities (cement, iron and steel making, coal combustion, etc.). Despite their potential, there is poor global accounting of silicates produced in this way. This paper presents production estimates (by proxy) of various ...