Work

A method to evaluate enhanced rock weathering using intact soil monoliths under field conditions

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) has attracted considerable attention as a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy. However, a reliable method for accurately measuring, monitoring, and verifying CO2 removal, particularly under field conditions, remains elusive. Here we describe a method for installing soil monoliths in an in situ buried apparatus that allows collection of water draining through a soil, undisturbed by external environmental factors that may affect similar apparatus located above ground. The method provides a robust, cost-effective means of collecting, developing, and establishing soil monoliths, allowing through drainage soil water sample collection and analysis, and so facilitating estimation of ERW C removal. A polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is inserted into the soil to extract intact monoliths from a site of interest, withdrawn and then fitted with a basal double socket coupling and end cap for leachate collection. It is buried to reproduce soil environmental conditions, and water is collected via a sampling tube to surface. Validity was confirmed through an experimental trial with 36 monoliths over 6 months. This method enables accurate measurement solute flux through the soil monolith, which can be used to validate models of ERW efficacy.• PVC pipes are inserted into the target soil and subsequently extracted to retrieve intact soil monoliths• PVC sockets, equipped with a mesh and a geotextile membrane in the middle to retain the collected intact soil monolith and prevent soil particle transport, are then attached to the PVC pipe• PVC caps, featuring a small drainage tube attached to its outer side, are used to collect the leachate at the bottom part of the system

Source: MethodsX

DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102971

Authors: Caio F. Zani, Arlete S. Barneze, Gerlinde B. De Deyn, J. Frans Bakker, Kevin Stott, David A.C. Manning

Institutions: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Newcastle University, Wageningen University & Research, Northumbria University

Language: English

Topic: CO2 Sequestration and Geologic Interactions

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Responsible consumption and production, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $850