Work

Advancing Enhanced Weathering Modeling in Soils: Critical Comparison With Experimental Data

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Enhanced weathering (EW) is a promising strategy to remove atmospheric by amending agricultural and forestry soils with ground silicate rocks. However, current model‐based EW assessments face large uncertainties stemming from the intricate interplay among soil processes, compounded by the absence of a detailed comparison with available observational data. Here, we address this critical gap by first advancing a dynamic, ecohydrological, and biogeochemical Soil Model for Enhanced Weathering (SMEW). We then conduct a hierarchical model‐experiment comparison with four experimental data sets of increasing complexity, from simple closed incubation systems to open mesocosm experiments. The comparison demonstrates SMEW's ability to capture the dynamics of primary variables, including soil moisture, alkalinity, and inorganic carbon. The comparison also reveals that weathering rates are consistently lower than traditionally assumed by up to two orders of magnitude. We finally discuss the implications for carbon removal scenarios and avenues for further theoretical and experimental explorations.

Source: Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems

DOI: 10.1029/2024ms004224

Authors: Matteo B. Bertagni, Salvatore Calabrese, Giuseppe Cipolla, Leonardo V. Noto, Amilcare Porporato

Institutions: Politecnico di Torino, Princeton University, High Meadows Environmental Institute, Texas A&M University, University of Palermo

Language: English

Topic: CO2 Sequestration and Geologic Interactions

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,410