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Pratt C, Mahdi Z, El Hanandeh A. 'Climate Healing Stones': Common Minerals Offer Substantial Climate Change Mitigation Potential. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 73:1167-1179. [PMID: 38374402 PMCID: PMC11136852 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-01945-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
This review proposes that mineral-based greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation could be developed into a substantial climate change abatement tool. This proposal was evaluated via three objectives: (1) synthesise literature studies documenting the effectiveness of geological minerals at mitigating GHG emissions; (2) quantify, via meta-analysis, GHG magnitudes that could be abated by minerals factoring-in the carbon footprint of the approach; and (3) estimate the global availability of relevant minerals. Several minerals have been effectively harnessed across multiple sectors-including agriculture, waste management and coal mining-to mitigate carbon dioxide/CO2 (e.g., olivine), methane/CH4 (e.g., allophane, gypsum) and nitrous oxide/N2O (e.g., vermiculite) emissions. High surface area minerals offer substantial promise to protect soil carbon, albeit their potential impact here is difficult to quantify. Although mineral-based N2O reduction strategies can achieve gross emission reduction, their application generates a net carbon emission due to prohibitively large mineral quantities needed. By contrast, mineral-based technologies could abate ~9% and 11% of global CO2 and CH4 anthropogenic emissions, respectively. These estimates conservatively only consider options which offer additional benefits to climate change mitigation (e.g., nutrient supply to agricultural landscapes, and safety controls in landfill operations). This multi-benefit aspect is important due to the reluctance to invest in stand-alone GHG mitigation technologies. Minerals that exhibit high GHG mitigation potential are globally abundant. However, their application towards a dedicated global GHG mitigation initiative would entail significant escalation of their current production rates. A detailed cost-benefit analysis and environmental and social footprint assessment is needed to ascertain the strategy's scale-up potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Pratt
- School of Environment and Science, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Zainab Mahdi
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Ali El Hanandeh
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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2
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Low S, Fritz L, Baum CM, Sovacool BK. Public perceptions on carbon removal from focus groups in 22 countries. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3453. [PMID: 38658623 PMCID: PMC11043362 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47853-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Carbon removal is emerging as a pillar of governmental and industry commitments toward achieving Net Zero targets. Drawing from 44 focus groups in 22 countries, we map technical and societal issues that a representative sample of publics raise on five major types of carbon removal (forests, soils, direct air capture, enhanced weathering, and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage), and how these translate to preferences for governance actors, mechanisms, and rationales. We assess gaps and overlaps between a global range of public perceptions and how carbon removal is currently emerging in assessment, innovation, and decision-making. In conclusion, we outline key societal expectations for informing assessment and policy: prioritize public engagement as more than acceptance research; scrutiny and regulation of industry beyond incentivizing innovation; systemic coordination across sectors, levels, and borders; and prioritize underlying causes of climate change and interrelated governance issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Low
- Department of Business Development and Technology, Aarhus University, Birk Centerpark 15, 7400, Herning, Denmark.
| | - Livia Fritz
- Department of Business Development and Technology, Aarhus University, Birk Centerpark 15, 7400, Herning, Denmark
| | - Chad M Baum
- Department of Business Development and Technology, Aarhus University, Birk Centerpark 15, 7400, Herning, Denmark
| | - Benjamin K Sovacool
- Department of Business Development and Technology, Aarhus University, Birk Centerpark 15, 7400, Herning, Denmark
- Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex Business School, Jubilee Building, Arts Rd, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SL, UK
- Department of Earth and Environment, Boston University, 685 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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3
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Abdalqadir M, Hughes D, Rezaei Gomari S, Rafiq U. A state of the art of review on factors affecting the enhanced weathering in agricultural soil: strategies for carbon sequestration and climate mitigation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:19047-19070. [PMID: 38372917 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32498-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
As the urgency to address climate change intensifies, the exploration of sustainable negative emission technologies becomes imperative. Enhanced weathering (EW) represents an approach by leveraging the natural process of rock weathering to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in agricultural lands. This review synthesizes current research on EW, focusing on its mechanisms, influencing factors, and pathways for successful integration into agricultural practices. It evaluates key factors such as material suitability, particle size, application rates, soil properties, and climate, which are crucial for optimizing EW's efficacy. The study highlights the multifaceted benefits of EW, including soil fertility improvement, pH regulation, and enhanced water retention, which collectively contribute to increased agricultural productivity and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, the review introduces Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) verification frameworks as essential components for assessing and enhancing EW's effectiveness and credibility. By examining the current state of research and proposing avenues for future investigation, this review aims to deepen the understanding of EW's role in sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mardin Abdalqadir
- Department of Engineering, School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK.
| | - David Hughes
- Department of Engineering, School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK
| | - Sina Rezaei Gomari
- Department of Engineering, School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK
| | - Ubaid Rafiq
- Department of Engineering, School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK
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4
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Beerling DJ, Epihov DZ, Kantola IB, Masters MD, Reershemius T, Planavsky NJ, Reinhard CT, Jordan JS, Thorne SJ, Weber J, Val Martin M, Freckleton RP, Hartley SE, James RH, Pearce CR, DeLucia EH, Banwart SA. Enhanced weathering in the US Corn Belt delivers carbon removal with agronomic benefits. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319436121. [PMID: 38386712 PMCID: PMC10907306 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319436121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial enhanced weathering (EW) of silicate rocks, such as crushed basalt, on farmlands is a promising scalable atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy that urgently requires performance assessment with commercial farming practices. We report findings from a large-scale replicated EW field trial across a typical maize-soybean rotation on an experimental farm in the heart of the United Sates Corn Belt over 4 y (2016 to 2020). We show an average combined loss of major cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) from crushed basalt applied each fall over 4 y (50 t ha-1 y-1) gave a conservative time-integrated cumulative CDR potential of 10.5 ± 3.8 t CO2 ha-1. Maize and soybean yields increased significantly (P < 0.05) by 12 to 16% with EW following improved soil fertility, decreased soil acidification, and upregulation of root nutrient transport genes. Yield enhancements with EW were achieved with significantly (P < 0.05) increased key micro- and macronutrient concentrations (including potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc), thus improving or maintaining crop nutritional status. We observed no significant increase in the content of trace metals in grains of maize or soybean or soil exchangeable pools relative to controls. Our findings suggest that widespread adoption of EW across farming sectors has the potential to contribute significantly to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals while simultaneously improving food and soil security.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Beerling
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, SheffieldS10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitar Z. Epihov
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, SheffieldS10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Ilsa B. Kantola
- Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Michael D. Masters
- Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Tom Reershemius
- Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Noah J. Planavsky
- Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Christopher T. Reinhard
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | | | - Sarah J. Thorne
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, SheffieldS10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - James Weber
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, SheffieldS10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Val Martin
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, SheffieldS10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Robert P. Freckleton
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, SheffieldS10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Sue E. Hartley
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, SheffieldS10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Rachael H. James
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, SouthamptonSO14 3ZH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Evan H. DeLucia
- Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Steven A. Banwart
- Global Food and Environment Institute, University of Leeds, LeedsLS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
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5
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Power IM, Paulo C, Rausis K. The Mining Industry's Role in Enhanced Weathering and Mineralization for CO 2 Removal. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:43-53. [PMID: 38127732 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced weathering and mineralization (EWM) aim to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere by accelerating the reaction of this greenhouse gas with alkaline minerals. This suite of geochemical negative emissions technologies has the potential to achieve CO2 removal rates of >1 gigatonne per year, yet will require gigatonnes of suitable rock. As a supplier of rock powder, the mining industry will be at the epicenter of the global implementation of EWM. Certain alkaline mine wastes sequester CO2 under conventional mining conditions, which should be quantified across the industry. Furthermore, mines are ideal locations for testing acceleration strategies since tailings impoundments are contained and highly monitored. While some environmentally benign mine wastes may be repurposed for off-site use─reducing costs and risks associated with their storage─numerous new mines will be needed to supply rock powders to reach the gigatonne scale. Large-scale EWM pilots with mining companies are required to progress technology readiness, including carbon verification approaches. With its knowledge of geological formations and ore processing, the mining industry can play an essential role in extracting the most reactive rocks with the greatest CO2 removal capacities, creating supply chains, and participating in life-cycle assessments. The motivations for mining companies to develop EWM include reputational benefits and carbon offsets needed to achieve carbon neutrality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Power
- Trent School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Carlos Paulo
- Trent School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Kwon Rausis
- Trent School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
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6
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Fowler A, Basso B, Maureira F, Millar N, Ulbrich R, Brinton WF. Spatial patterns of historical crop yields reveal soil health attributes in US Midwest fields. Sci Rep 2024; 14:465. [PMID: 38172239 PMCID: PMC10764739 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51155-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Attaining high crop yields and increasing carbon storage in agricultural soils, while avoiding negative environmental impacts on water quality, soil erosion, and biodiversity, requires accurate and precise management of crop inputs and management practices. The long-term analysis of spatial and temporal patterns of crop yields provides insights on how yields vary in a field, with parts of field constantly producing either high yields or low yields and other parts that fluctuate from one year to the next. The concept of yield stability has shown to be informative on how plants translate the effects of environmental conditions (e.g., soil, climate, topography) across the field and over the years in the final yield, and as a valuable layer in developing prescription maps of variable fertilizer rate inputs. Using known relationships between soil health and crop yields, we hypothesize that areas with measured constantly low yield will return low carbon to the soil affecting its heath. On this premises, yield stability zones (YSZ) provide an effective and practical integrative measure of the small-scale variability of soil health on a field relative basis. We tested this hypothesis by measuring various metrics of soil health from commercial farmers' fields in the north central Midwest of the USA in samples replicated across YSZ, using a soil test suite commonly used by producers and stakeholders active in agricultural carbon credits markets. We found that the use of YSZ allowed us to successfully partition field-relative soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil health metrics into statistically distinct regions. Low and stable (LS) yield zones were statistically lower in normalized SOC when compared to high and stable (HS) and unstable (US) yield zones. The drivers of the yield differences within a field are a series of factors ranging from climate, topography and soil. LS zones occur in areas of compacted soil layers or shallow soils (edge of the field) on steeper slopes. The US zones occurring with high water flow accumulation, were more dependent on topography and rainfall. The differences in the components of the overall soil health score (SHS) between these YSZ increased with sample depth suggesting a deeper topsoil in the US and HS zones, driven by the accumulation of water, nutrients, and carbon downslope. Comparison of the field management provided initial evidence that zero tillage reduces the magnitude of the variance in SOC and soil health metrics between the YSZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ames Fowler
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Bruno Basso
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA.
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, 3700 E. Gull Lake Dr. Hickory Corners, Michigan, MI, 49060, USA.
| | - Fidel Maureira
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Neville Millar
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Ruben Ulbrich
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - William F Brinton
- Woods End Laboratories, 290 Belgrade Rd, Mt Vernon, Augusta, ME, 04352, USA
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7
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Kazimierczuk K, Barrows SE, Olarte MV, Qafoku NP. Decarbonization of Agriculture: The Greenhouse Gas Impacts and Economics of Existing and Emerging Climate-Smart Practices. ACS ENGINEERING AU 2023; 3:426-442. [PMID: 38144676 PMCID: PMC10739617 DOI: 10.1021/acsengineeringau.3c00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has increased focus on the potential to mitigate emissions through climate-smart agricultural practices, including regenerative, digital, and controlled environment farming systems. The effectiveness of these solutions largely depends on their ability to address environmental concerns, generate economic returns, and meet supply chain needs. In this Review, we summarize the state of knowledge on the GHG impacts and profitability of these three existing and emerging farming systems. Although we find potential for CO2 mitigation in all three approaches (depending on site-specific and climatic factors), we point to the greater level of research covering the efficacy of regenerative and digital agriculture in tackling non-CO2 emissions (i.e., N2O and CH4), which account for the majority of agriculture's GHG footprint. Despite this greater research coverage, we still find significant methodological and data limitations in accounting for the major GHG fluxes of these practices, especially the lifetime CH4 footprint of more nascent climate-smart regenerative agriculture practices. Across the approaches explored, uncertainties remain about the overall efficacy and persistence of mitigation-particularly with respect to the offsetting of soil carbon sequestration gains by N2O emissions and the lifecycle emissions of controlled environment agriculture systems compared to traditional systems. We find that the economic feasibility of these practices is also system-specific, although regenerative agriculture is generally the most accessible climate-smart approach. Robust incentives (including carbon credit considerations), investments, and policy changes would make these practices more financially accessible to farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Kazimierczuk
- Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Sarah E. Barrows
- Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Mariefel V. Olarte
- Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Nikolla P. Qafoku
- Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 99195, United States
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8
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Reershemius T, Kelland ME, Jordan JS, Davis IR, D'Ascanio R, Kalderon-Asael B, Asael D, Suhrhoff TJ, Epihov DZ, Beerling DJ, Reinhard CT, Planavsky NJ. Initial Validation of a Soil-Based Mass-Balance Approach for Empirical Monitoring of Enhanced Rock Weathering Rates. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19497-19507. [PMID: 37961896 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is a promising scalable and cost-effective carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy with significant environmental and agronomic co-benefits. A major barrier to large-scale implementation of ERW is a robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) framework. To successfully quantify the amount of carbon dioxide removed by ERW, MRV must be accurate, precise, and cost-effective. Here, we outline a mass-balance-based method in which analysis of the chemical composition of soil samples is used to track in situ silicate rock weathering. We show that signal-to-noise issues of in situ soil analysis can be mitigated by using isotope-dilution mass spectrometry to reduce analytical error. We implement a proof-of-concept experiment demonstrating the method in controlled mesocosms. In our experiment, a basalt rock feedstock is added to soil columns containing the cereal crop Sorghum bicolor at a rate equivalent to 50 t ha-1. Using our approach, we calculate rock weathering corresponding to an average initial CDR value of 1.44 ± 0.27 tCO2eq ha-1 from our experiments after 235 days, within error of an independent estimate calculated using conventional elemental budgeting of reaction products. Our method provides a robust time-integrated estimate of initial CDR, to feed into models that track and validate large-scale carbon removal through ERW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Reershemius
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Mike E Kelland
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Jacob S Jordan
- Porecast Research, Lawrence, Kansas 66049, United States
| | - Isabelle R Davis
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, Southampton SO14 3ZH, U.K
| | - Rocco D'Ascanio
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Boriana Kalderon-Asael
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Dan Asael
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - T Jesper Suhrhoff
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Dimitar Z Epihov
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| | - David J Beerling
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Christopher T Reinhard
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Noah J Planavsky
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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9
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Kantola IB, Blanc-Betes E, Masters MD, Chang E, Marklein A, Moore CE, von Haden A, Bernacchi CJ, Wolf A, Epihov DZ, Beerling DJ, DeLucia EH. Improved net carbon budgets in the US Midwest through direct measured impacts of enhanced weathering. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:7012-7028. [PMID: 37589204 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial enhanced weathering (EW) through the application of Mg- or Ca-rich rock dust to soil is a negative emission technology with the potential to address impacts of climate change. The effectiveness of EW was tested over 4 years by spreading ground basalt (50 t ha-1 year-1 ) on maize/soybean and miscanthus cropping systems in the Midwest US. The major elements of the carbon budget were quantified through measurements of eddy covariance, soil carbon flux, and biomass. The movement of Mg and Ca to deep soil, released by weathering, balanced by a corresponding alkalinity flux, was used to measure the drawdown of CO2 , where the release of cations from basalt was measured as the ratio of rare earth elements to base cations in the applied rock dust and in the surface soil. Basalt application stimulated peak biomass and net primary production in both cropping systems and caused a small but significant stimulation of soil respiration. Net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) was strongly negative for maize/soybean (-199 to -453 g C m-2 year-1 ) indicating this system was losing carbon to the atmosphere. Average EW (102 g C m-2 year-1 ) offset carbon loss in the maize/soybean by 23%-42%. NECB of miscanthus was positive (63-129 g C m-2 year-1 ), indicating carbon gain in the system, and EW greatly increased inorganic carbon storage by an additional 234 g C m-2 year-1 . Our analysis indicates a co-deployment of a perennial biofuel crop (miscanthus) with EW leads to major wins-increased harvested yields of 29%-42% with additional carbon dioxide removal (CDR) of 8.6 t CO2 ha-1 year-1 . EW applied to maize/soybean drives a CDR of 3.7 t CO2 ha-1 year-1 , which partially offsets well-established carbon losses from soil from this crop rotation. EW applied in the US Midwest creates measurable improvements to the carbon budgets perennial bioenergy crops and conventional row crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilsa B Kantola
- Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Elena Blanc-Betes
- Center for Applied Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael D Masters
- Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | - Caitlin E Moore
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Adam von Haden
- Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Carl J Bernacchi
- Global Change Photosynthesis Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Adam Wolf
- Eion Corp., Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Dimitar Z Epihov
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - David J Beerling
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Evan H DeLucia
- Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Center for Applied Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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10
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Zhang B, Kroeger J, Planavsky N, Yao Y. Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessment of Enhanced Rock Weathering: A Case Study from the Midwestern United States. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13828-13837. [PMID: 37672784 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy for combating climate change. The CDR potentials of ERW have been assessed at the process and national/global levels, but the environmental and economic implications of ERW have not been fully quantified for U.S. applications with real-world supply chain considerations. This study develops an optimization-based, integrated life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis framework for ERW, which is demonstrated by a case study applying mining waste to croplands in the Midwestern U.S. The case study explores maximum transportation distances for intermodal transportation at varied mineral CDR yields and costs, informing supply chain design for economically viable ERW. ERW costs (US$45 to 472/tonne of net CO2e captured) and cradle-to-farm gate GHG emissions (41 to 359 kg CO2e/tonne of CO2e captured) are estimated based on a range of CDR yields and by transportation distances to and from two Midwest port destinations: Chicago and Duluth. Our sensitivity analysis identifies CDR yields, and transportation modes and distances as driving factors for result variations. Our study reveals the importance of ERW supply chain design and provides an example of U.S. CDR implementation. Our framework and findings can be applied to other regional ERW projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingquan Zhang
- Center for Industrial Ecology, Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Jennifer Kroeger
- Center for Industrial Ecology, Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Noah Planavsky
- The Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Yuan Yao
- Center for Industrial Ecology, Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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11
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Li Y, Ding F, Hao M, Chen S, Jiang D, Fan P, Qian Y, Zhuo J, Wu J. The implications for potential marginal land resources of cassava across worldwide under climate change challenges. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15177. [PMID: 37704718 PMCID: PMC10499798 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42132-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The demand for energy plants is foreseen to grow as worldwide energy and climate policies promote the use of bioenergy for climate change mitigation. To avoid competing with food production, it's critical to assess future changes in marginal land availability for energy plant development. Using a machine learning method, boosted regression tree, this study modeled potential marginal land resources suitable for cassava under current and different climate change scenarios, based on cassava occurrence records and environmental covariates. The findings revealed that, currently, over 80% of the 1357.24 Mha of available marginal land for cassava cultivation is distributed in Africa and South America. Under three climate change scenarios, by 2030, worldwide suitable marginal land resources were predicted to grow by 39.71Mha, 66.21 Mha, and 39.31Mha for the RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively; by 2050, the potential marginal land suitable for cassava will increase by 38.98Mha, 83.02 Mha, and 55.43Mha, respectively; by 2080, the global marginal land resources were estimated to rise by 40.82 Mha, 99.74 Mha, and 21.87 Mha from now, respectively. Our results highlight the impacts of climate change on potential marginal land resources of cassava across worldwide, which provide the basis for assessing bioenergy potential in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongping Li
- Faculty of Land Resource Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650093, China
- Yunnan Institute of Land Resources Planning and Design, Kunming, 650216, China
| | - Fangyu Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mengmeng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Peiwei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yushu Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Jun Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Jiajie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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12
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Deng H, Sonnenthal E, Arora B, Breunig H, Brodie E, Kleber M, Spycher N, Nico P. The environmental controls on efficiency of enhanced rock weathering in soils. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9765. [PMID: 37328610 PMCID: PMC10275906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36113-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) in soils is a promising carbon removal technology, but the realistically achievable efficiency, controlled primarily by in situ weathering rates of the applied rocks, is highly uncertain. Here we explored the impacts of coupled biogeochemical and transport processes and a set of primary environmental and operational controls, using forsterite as a proxy mineral in soils and a multiphase multi-component reactive transport model considering microbe-mediated reactions. For a onetime forsterite application of ~ 16 kg/m2, complete weathering within five years can be achieved, giving an equivalent carbon removal rate of ~ 2.3 kgCO2/m2/yr. However, the rate is highly variable based on site-specific conditions. We showed that the in situ weathering rate can be enhanced by conditions and operations that maintain high CO2 availability via effective transport of atmospheric CO2 (e.g. in well-drained soils) and/or sufficient biogenic CO2 supply (e.g. stimulated plant-microbe processes). Our results further highlight that the effect of increasing surface area on weathering rate can be significant-so that the energy penalty of reducing the grain size may be justified-only when CO2 supply is nonlimiting. Therefore, for ERW practices to be effective, siting and engineering design (e.g. optimal grain size) need to be co-optimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Deng
- Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Eric Sonnenthal
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Bhavna Arora
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Hanna Breunig
- Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Energy Technology Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Eoin Brodie
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Markus Kleber
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Nicolas Spycher
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Peter Nico
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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13
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Bullock LA, Alcalde J, Tornos F, Fernandez-Turiel JL. Geochemical carbon dioxide removal potential of Spain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 867:161287. [PMID: 36587666 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Many countries have made pledges to reduce CO2 emissions over the upcoming decades to meet the Paris Agreement targets of limiting warming to no >1.5 °C, aiming for net zero by mid-century. To achieve national reduction targets, there is a further need for CO2 removal (CDR) approaches on a scale of millions of tonnes, necessitating a better understanding of feasible methods. One approach that is gaining attention is geochemical CDR, encompassing (1) in-situ injection of CO2-rich gases into Ca and Mg-rich rocks for geological storage by mineral carbonation, (2) ex-situ ocean alkalinity enhancement, enhanced weathering and mineral carbonation of alkaline-rich materials, and (3) electrochemical separation processes. In this context, Spain may host a notionally high geochemical CDR capacity thanks to its varied geological setting, including extensive mafic-ultramafic and carbonate rocks. However, pilot schemes and large-scale strategies for CDR implementation are presently absent in-country, partly due to gaps in current knowledge and lack of attention paid by regulatory bodies. Here, we identify possible materials, localities and avenues for future geochemical CDR research and implementation strategies within Spain. This study highlights the kilotonne to million tonne scale CDR options for Spain over the rest of the century, with attention paid to chemically and mineralogically appropriate materials, suitable implementation sites and potential strategies that could be followed. Mafic, ultramafic and carbonate rocks, mine tailings, fly ashes, slag by-products, desalination brines and ceramic wastes hosted and produced in Spain are of key interest, with industrial, agricultural and coastal areas providing opportunities to launch pilot schemes. Though there are obstacles to reaching the maximum CDR potential, this study helps to identify focused targets that will facilitate overcoming such barriers. The CDR potential of Spain warrants dedicated investigations to achieve the highest possible CDR to make valuable contributions to national reduction targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam A Bullock
- Geosciences Barcelona (GEO3BCN), CSIC, Lluis Solé i Sabarís s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Juan Alcalde
- Geosciences Barcelona (GEO3BCN), CSIC, Lluis Solé i Sabarís s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Tornos
- Instituto de Geociencias (IGEO, CSIC-UCM), Dr Severo Ochoa, 7, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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14
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Asibor JO, Clough PT, Nabavi SA, Manovic V. A country-level assessment of the deployment potential of greenhouse gas removal technologies. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 323:116211. [PMID: 36113294 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The deployment of greenhouse gas removal (GGR) technologies has been identified as an indispensable option in limiting global warming to 1.5 °C by the end of the century. Despite this, many countries are yet to include and promote this option in their long-term plans owing to factors such as uncertainty in technical potential, deployment feasibility and economic impact. This work presents a country-level assessment of the deployment potential of five GGR technologies, including forestation, enhanced weathering (EW), direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS), bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and biochar. Using a multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach consisting of bio-geophysical and techno-economic factors, priority regions for the deployment of these GGR technologies were identified. The extent of carbon dioxide removable by 2100 via these technologies was also estimated for each of the 182 countries considered. While the obtained results indicate the need for regional cooperation among countries, it also provides useful evidence on the need for countries to include and prioritise GGR technologies in their revised nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude O Asibor
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Peter T Clough
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK.
| | - Seyed Ali Nabavi
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Vasilije Manovic
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
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15
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Ren H, Hu Y, Liu J, Zhang Z, Mou L, Pan Y, Zheng Q, Li G, Jiao N. Response of a Coastal Microbial Community to Olivine Addition in the Muping Marine Ranch, Yantai. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:805361. [PMID: 35222305 PMCID: PMC8867022 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.805361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Spreading olivine powder in seawater to enhance alkalinity through weathering reactions has been proposed as a potential solution to control atmospheric CO2 concentration. Attention has usually been paid to the chemical properties of seawater after the addition of olivine within lab and modeling studies. However, both microbial acclimation and evolution in such manipulated natural environments are often overlooked, yet they are of great importance for understanding the biological consequences of whether olivine addition is a feasible approach to mitigating climate change. In this study, an olivine addition experiment was conducted to investigate variation in bacterial diversity and community composition in the surface and bottom seawater of a representative marine ranch area in the Muping, Yantai. The results show that the composition of the particle-attached microbial community was particularly affected by the application of olivine. The relative abundance of biofilm-forming microbes in particle-attached fraction increased after the addition of olivine, while no significant variation in the free-living bacterial community was observed. Our study suggests that olivine addition would reshape the bacterial community structure, especially in particle-attached microenvironments. Therefore, the risk evaluation of alkalinity enhancement should be further studied before its large-scale application as a potential ocean geoengineering plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Ren
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.,Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.,Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yubin Hu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.,Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.,Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jihua Liu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.,Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.,Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Liang Mou
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanning Pan
- School of Earth Science and Resources, Chang'an University, Xi'an, China.,College of Geology and Environment, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiang Zheng
- Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.,Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Institute of Marine Microbes and Ecospheres, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Gang Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nianzhi Jiao
- Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.,Joint Laboratory for Ocean Research and Education at Dalhousie University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Institute of Marine Microbes and Ecospheres, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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16
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Swoboda P, Döring TF, Hamer M. Remineralizing soils? The agricultural usage of silicate rock powders: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:150976. [PMID: 34662609 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Soil nutrient depletion threatens global food security and has been seriously underestimated for potassium (K) and several micronutrients. This is particularly the case for highly weathered soils in tropical countries, where classical soluble fertilizers are often not affordable or not accessible. One way to replenish macro- and micronutrients are ground silicate rock powders (SRPs). Rock forming silicate minerals contain most nutrients essential for higher plants, yet slow and inconsistent weathering rates have restricted their use in the past. Recent findings, however, challenge past agronomic objections which insufficiently addressed the factorial complexity of the weathering process. This review therefore first presents a framework with the most relevant factors for the weathering of SRPs through which several outcomes of prior studies can be explained. A subsequent analysis of 48 crop trials reveals the potential as alternative K source and multi-nutrient soil amendment for tropical soils, whereas the benefits for temperate soils are currently inconclusive. Beneficial results prevail for mafic and ultramafic rocks like basalts and rocks containing nepheline or glauconite. Several rock modifications are highly efficient in increasing the agronomic effectiveness of SRPs. Enhanced weathering of SRPs could additionally sequester substantial amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere and silicon (Si) supply can induce a broad spectrum of plant biotic and abiotic stress resistance. Recycling massive amounts of rock residues from domestic mining industries could furthermore resolve serious disposal challenges and improve fertilizer self-sufficiency. In conclusion, under the right circumstances, SRPs could not only advance low-cost and regional soil sustaining crop production but contribute to various sustainable development goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Swoboda
- Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, International Centre for Sustainable Development, Granthamallee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany.
| | - Thomas F Döring
- University of Bonn, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Hamer
- Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, International Centre for Sustainable Development, Granthamallee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
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17
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Asibor JO, Clough PT, Nabavi SA, Manovic V. Assessment of optimal conditions for the performance of greenhouse gas removal methods. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 294:113039. [PMID: 34153633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a comparative literature-based assessment of the impact of operational factors such as climatic condition, vegetation type, availability of land, water, energy and biomass, management practices, cost and soil characteristics was carried out on six greenhouse gas removal (GGR) methods. These methods which include forestation, enhanced weathering (EW), soil carbon sequestration (SCS), biochar, direct air capture with carbon storage (DACCS) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) were accessed with the aim of identifying the conditions and requirements necessary for their optimum performance. The extent of influence of these factors on the performance of the various GGR methods was discussed and quantified on a scale of 0-5. The key conditions necessary for optimum performance were identified with forestation, EW, SCS and biochar found to be best deployed within the tropical and temperate climatic zones. The CCS technologies (BECCS and DACCS) which have been largely projected as major contributors to the attainment of the emission mitigation targets were found to have a larger locational flexibility. However, the need for cost optimal siting of the CCS plant is necessary and dependent on the presence of appropriate storage facilities, preferably geological. The need for global and regional cooperation as well as some current efforts at accelerating the development and deployment of these GGR methods were also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude O Asibor
- Energy and Power Theme, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Peter T Clough
- Energy and Power Theme, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK.
| | - Seyed Ali Nabavi
- Energy and Power Theme, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Vasilije Manovic
- Energy and Power Theme, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
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18
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Horton P, Long SP, Smith P, Banwart SA, Beerling DJ. Technologies to deliver food and climate security through agriculture. NATURE PLANTS 2021; 7:250-255. [PMID: 33731918 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-021-00877-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Agriculture is a major contributor to environmental degradation and climate change. At the same time, a growing human population with changing dietary preferences is driving ever increasing demand for food. The need for urgent reform of agriculture is widely recognized and has resulted in a number of ambitious plans. However, there is credible evidence to suggest that these are unlikely to meet the twin objectives of keeping the increase in global temperature within the target of 2.0 °C above preindustrial levels set out in the Paris Agreement and delivering global food security. Here, we discuss a series of technological options to bring about change in agriculture for delivering food security and providing multiple routes to the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. These technologies include the use of silicate amendment of soils to sequester atmospheric CO2, agronomy technologies to increase soil organic carbon, and high-yielding resource-efficient crops to deliver increased agricultural yield, thus freeing land that is less suited for intensive cropping for land use practices that will further increase carbon storage. Such alternatives include less intensive regenerative agriculture, afforestation and bioenergy crops coupled with carbon capture and storage technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Horton
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Stephen P Long
- Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK
| | - Pete Smith
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Steven A Banwart
- Global Food and Environment Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - David J Beerling
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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19
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Cheng X, Yun Y, Wang H, Ma L, Tian W, Man B, Liu C. Contrasting bacterial communities and their assembly processes in karst soils under different land use. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 751:142263. [PMID: 33181984 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Structure and assembly processes of soil bacterial communities under different land use at karst areas remained poorly understood to date. To address this issue, soil samples from arable land and pristine forest over a karst cave, located in the acid rain impacted area, Hubei province, were collected and subjected to high-throughput sequencing and multivariate statistical analysis. Bacterial communities and functions remarkably distinguished between soils under different land use. Both edaphic properties (the content of SO42-, C/N, pH, TN) and weathering processes, such as Si concentration, Mg/Al and Ca/Al, significantly impacted on soil bacterial community structures. Variable selections were predominant ecological processes, and pH and SO42- concentration were of significance in community assembly. Random molecular ecological network analysis revealed a more stable and complex microbial network in the forest ecosystem, which can quickly response to environmental change. Forest soil bacteria were mainly phototrophs, involving in C and N cycles, whereas those in arable soils were mainly chemoheterotrophs, capable of degrading organic fertilizers due to anthropogenic activities as confirmed by the analysis of keystone taxa, indicators and functional prediction. These results reveal that land use constructed soil bacterial communities in different aspects such as the structure, potential functions, microbial interactions and correlations with environmental variables. To our knowledge, this is the first report on bacterial community assembly in karst soils under different land use which enhances our understanding about how land use impact on microbial interaction and community assembly processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yuan Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Liyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Wen Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Baiying Man
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; College of Life Science, Shangrao Normal University, Shangrao 334001, China
| | - Chaoyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
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20
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Beerling DJ, Kantzas EP, Lomas MR, Wade P, Eufrasio RM, Renforth P, Sarkar B, Andrews MG, James RH, Pearce CR, Mercure JF, Pollitt H, Holden PB, Edwards NR, Khanna M, Koh L, Quegan S, Pidgeon NF, Janssens IA, Hansen J, Banwart SA. Potential for large-scale CO2 removal via enhanced rock weathering with croplands. Nature 2020; 583:242-248. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2448-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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21
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Kelland ME, Wade PW, Lewis AL, Taylor LL, Sarkar B, Andrews MG, Lomas MR, Cotton TEA, Kemp SJ, James RH, Pearce CR, Hartley SE, Hodson ME, Leake JR, Banwart SA, Beerling DJ. Increased yield and CO 2 sequestration potential with the C 4 cereal Sorghum bicolor cultivated in basaltic rock dust-amended agricultural soil. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:3658-3676. [PMID: 32314496 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Land-based enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is a biogeochemical carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy aiming to accelerate natural geological processes of carbon sequestration through application of crushed silicate rocks, such as basalt, to croplands and forested landscapes. However, the efficacy of the approach when undertaken with basalt, and its potential co-benefits for agriculture, require experimental and field evaluation. Here we report that amending a UK clay-loam agricultural soil with a high loading (10 kg/m2 ) of relatively coarse-grained crushed basalt significantly increased the yield (21 ± 9.4%, SE) of the important C4 cereal Sorghum bicolor under controlled environmental conditions, without accumulation of potentially toxic trace elements in the seeds. Yield increases resulted from the basalt treatment after 120 days without P- and K-fertilizer addition. Shoot silicon concentrations also increased significantly (26 ± 5.4%, SE), with potential benefits for crop resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. Elemental budgets indicate substantial release of base cations important for inorganic carbon removal and their accumulation mainly in the soil exchangeable pools. Geochemical reactive transport modelling, constrained by elemental budgets, indicated CO2 sequestration rates of 2-4 t CO2 /ha, 1-5 years after a single application of basaltic rock dust, including via newly formed soil carbonate minerals whose long-term fate requires assessment through field trials. This represents an approximately fourfold increase in carbon capture compared to control plant-soil systems without basalt. Our results build support for ERW deployment as a CDR technique compatible with spreading basalt powder on acidic loamy soils common across millions of hectares of western European and North American agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike E Kelland
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Peter W Wade
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Amy L Lewis
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Lyla L Taylor
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - M Grace Andrews
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, Southampton, UK
| | - Mark R Lomas
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - T E Anne Cotton
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Simon J Kemp
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rachael H James
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Sue E Hartley
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mark E Hodson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jonathan R Leake
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Steven A Banwart
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Global Food and Environment Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - David J Beerling
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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22
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Long-Term Monitoring of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Woody and Herbaceous Bioenergy Crop Production Systems on Marginal Lands in Southern Ontario, Canada. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12093901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Enhancement of terrestrial carbon (C) sequestration on marginal lands in Canada using bioenergy crops has been proposed. However, factors influencing system-level C gain (SLCG) potentials of maturing bioenergy cropping systems, including belowground biomass C and soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation, are not well documented. This study, therefore, quantified the long-term C sequestration potentials at the system-level in nine-year-old (2009–2018) woody (poplar clone 2293–29 (Populus spp.), hybrid willow clone SX-67 (Salix miyabeana)), and herbaceous (miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus var. Nagara), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)) bioenergy crop production systems on marginal lands in Southern Ontario, Canada. Results showed that woody cropping systems had significantly higher aboveground biomass C stock of 10.02 compared to 7.65 Mg C ha−1 in herbaceous cropping systems, although their belowground biomass C was not significantly different. Woody crops and switchgrass were able to increase SOC significantly over the tested period. However, when long term soil organic carbon (∆SOC) gains were compared, woody and herbaceous biomass crops gained 11.0 and 9.8 Mg C ha−1, respectively, which were not statistically different. Results also indicate a significantly higher total C pool [aboveground + belowground + soil organic carbon] in the willow (103 Mg ha−1) biomass system compared to other bioenergy crops. In the nine-year study period, woody crops had only 1.35 Mg C ha−1 more SLCG, suggesting that the influence of woody and herbaceous biomass crops on SLCG and ∆SOC sequestrations were similar. Further, among all tested biomass crops, willow had the highest annual SLCG of 1.66 Mg C ha−1 y−1.
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23
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Beerling DJ, Leake JR, Long SP, Scholes JD, Ton J, Nelson PN, Bird M, Kantzas E, Taylor LL, Sarkar B, Kelland M, DeLucia E, Kantola I, Müller C, Rau G, Hansen J. Farming with crops and rocks to address global climate, food and soil security. NATURE PLANTS 2018; 4:138-147. [PMID: 29459727 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-018-0108-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The magnitude of future climate change could be moderated by immediately reducing the amount of CO2 entering the atmosphere as a result of energy generation and by adopting strategies that actively remove CO2 from it. Biogeochemical improvement of soils by adding crushed, fast-reacting silicate rocks to croplands is one such CO2-removal strategy. This approach has the potential to improve crop production, increase protection from pests and diseases, and restore soil fertility and structure. Managed croplands worldwide are already equipped for frequent rock dust additions to soils, making rapid adoption at scale feasible, and the potential benefits could generate financial incentives for widespread adoption in the agricultural sector. However, there are still obstacles to be surmounted. Audited field-scale assessments of the efficacy of CO2 capture are urgently required together with detailed environmental monitoring. A cost-effective way to meet the rock requirements for CO2 removal must be found, possibly involving the recycling of silicate waste materials. Finally, issues of public perception, trust and acceptance must also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Beerling
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Jonathan R Leake
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Stephen P Long
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Julie D Scholes
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jurriaan Ton
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul N Nelson
- College of Science and Engineering and Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael Bird
- College of Science and Engineering and Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Euripides Kantzas
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Lyla L Taylor
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mike Kelland
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Evan DeLucia
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ilsa Kantola
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Greg Rau
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - James Hansen
- Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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24
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Hetherington FM, Nützmann HW. Embracing the next generation of plant scientists. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 217:504-506. [PMID: 29271035 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Flora M Hetherington
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Hans-Wilhelm Nützmann
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
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25
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Beerling DJ. Enhanced rock weathering: biological climate change mitigation with co-benefits for food security? Biol Lett 2017; 13:rsbl.2017.0149. [PMID: 28381636 PMCID: PMC5414701 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David J Beerling
- Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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