Biotic controls of the potential of enhanced silicate weathering for land-based climate change mitigation

A promising but yet poorly studied negative emission technology (NET) is accelerated silicate weathering (EW). Thus far, research on EW has mainly been limited to laboratory experiments, without soil and important biota. However, biota such as plants and soil can strongly influence mineral weathering. On the other hand, field investigations face a major challenge because weathering products and hence C sequestration are very difficult to accurately quantify. In this project mesocosm experiments will therefore be conducted to determine the influence of important biota, hence providing critical information needed to extrapolate lab-based results to the real world.

Keywords:CARBON SEQUESTRATION, GLOBAL CHANGE, SOIL

Disciplines:Biogeochemistry, Soil ecology, Carbon sequestration science, Sustainable agriculture