Year: 2026
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: Removing CO₂ from the atmosphere through accelerated weathering in agriculture: The weathering of silicate rocks such as basalt removes CO₂ from the atmosphere. Applying finely ground basalt to agricultural soils can accelerate this process (»Enhanced Weathering«; EW). EW utilizes existing agricultural infrastructure and can provide additional agronomic benefits (including pH buffering and nutrient supply). However, to demonstrate the climate impact, it is crucial that CO₂ removal can be reliably quantified. In open agricultural systems, a complete carbon-based accounting (CO₂ efflux, dynamics of dissolved carbon, biomass export) is practically very difficult. Therefore, an approach is recommended that is primarily based on cation balancing in soils and supplemented by monitoring organically bound carbon in the soil. EW can contribute in particular to the mitigation of hard-to-avoid emissions, such as those in the agriculture and food system, but requires appropriate incentive systems and standards that transparently account for permanence and uncertainties.
Source: Universität Hamburg eBooks
Authors: Bijma, Jelle, Paessler, Dirk
Language: German
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7167342574