Earth

Enhanced weathering can transform US agriculture for atmospheric removal

The advantages of surface ozone and weathering enhancement for crop production. Credit: Nature (2025). doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08429-2

The new study is the practice of implementing enhanced weathering (EW) and adding crushed basalts to the soil, and by US agriculture, the company will remove 16-300 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year by 2050. It has been revealed that it will rise to 250 and rise to 250. 490 million tons of CO2 removed by 2070.

This was conducted by a team of researchers led by Professor David Beerling of the Leverhulme Climate Change Mitigation Center. The University of Sheffield offers the first in-depth analysis of the possibilities and costs of EW in the US over the next 50 years with a naturally published study.

The authors demonstrate that this approach could lead to previously overlooked contributions (16%-30%) to the US 2050 carbon removal needed to achieve net-zero emissions targets. It’s there. This new study provides much-needed economic and feasibility details on a state-by-state basis on how strengthening the US commitment to net zero emissions has been strengthened by 2050. .

Enhanced weathering deployments are easiest as they utilize existing agricultural infrastructure and have lower carbon removal costs compared to alternative strategies such as direct air capture and carbon capture and storage bioenergy. . However, the authors point out that mobilizing the EW industry on the scale required could take decades.

The authors identify uncertainties and research priorities for assessing carbon removal by strengthening weathering with agriculture, which must be addressed in agriculture to build trust as a CDR technology. .

The author’s regional analysis shows that EW can improve air quality by interacting with soil nitrogen cycling processes to reduce the formation of harmful air pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter.

Scientists propose transforming US agriculture by strengthening weathering for atmospheric carbon dioxide removal

Enhanced soy weathering test field at Energy Farms in Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois. Credit: Dimiter Epihoff, Leverfurum Centre, University of Sheffield

Social acceptance is also important, requiring involvement from national politics to local communities and farmers. While Basalt Mining Operations can create additional employment opportunities and contribute to the local economy, it is essential that these activities respect community concerns and ensure fair practices.

“What we’re proposing is that the US will meet increasingly urgent net zero targets and gain carbon to protect the future of the planet,” said Professor Beerling, director of the Leverhulme Center for Climate Change Mitigation Center. A genuine step change can be provided on the method. A relatively simple and practical weathering enhancement method using analytical rich bedrock basalt demonstrates that hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide can be removed every year in the US alone .”

Dr. Euripides Kantzas, author of the study, said, “It simulates the pathway to unlock the possibilities of weathering enhancement in the US. It is important for quantifying carbon removal fluxes that require industrial adoption. There is certainty remaining: Integrate standard monitoring reporting protocols into the simulation.

“Enhanced weathering not only captures carbon and reduces soil N2O emissions, but also includes ground level ozone and ground level ozone and ground level research future leader and partner at the University of Sheffield. The problem of particulate matter highlights the importance of including air quality assessments when proposing a large-scale deployment of CDR strategies. It’s there.

“We need to have a large amount of carbon removal to achieve climate goals. Our job is to enhance weathering to ensure a large amount of carbon removal. It strengthens cases where it can promote and help farmers and strengthen them. Rural economy.”

“The continuous acceleration of global warming calls for urgent reductions in fossil fuel emissions and action to mitigate climate change,” said James Hansen, PhD of Columbia University. The analysis of the United States may overlook the potential and broad benefits of strengthening weathering in the United States. Agriculture.

Details: David J. Beerling et al., Converting US agriculture for carbon removal, Weathering Enhanced, Nature (2025). doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08429-2

Provided by the University of Sheffield

Quote: Enhanced weathering for atmospheric removal obtained on February 8, 2025 from https://news/2025-02-weathering-Agriculture-atmospheric.html on February 8, 2025 for atmospheric removal can change agriculture (February 7, 2025)

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from fair transactions for private research or research purposes, there is no part that is reproduced without written permission. Content is provided with information only.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button