Title | Increased carbon capture by a silicate-treated forested watershed affected by acid deposition |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2021 |
Authors | Taylor, LL, Driscoll, CT, Groffman, PM, Rau, GH, Blum, JD, Beerling, DJ |
Journal | Biogeosciences |
Volume | 18 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 169 - 188 |
Date Published | 2021/01/12/ |
ISBN Number | 1726-4170 |
Keywords | LTER-HBR |
Abstract | Abstract. Meeting internationally agreed-upon climate targets requires carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies coupled with an urgent phase-down of fossil fuel emissions. However, the efficacy and wider impacts of CDR are poorly understood. Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is a land-based CDR strategy requiring large-scale field trials. Here we show that a low 3.44 t ha−1 wollastonite treatment in an 11.8 ha acid-rain-impacted forested watershed in New Hampshire, USA, led to cumulative carbon capture by carbonic acid weathering of 0.025–0.13 t CO2 ha−1 over 15 years. Despite a 0.8–2.4 t CO2 ha−1 logistical carbon penalty from mining, grinding, transportation, and spreading, by 2015 weathering together with increased forest productivity led to net CDR of 8.5–11.5 t CO2 ha−1. Our results demonstrate that ERW may be an effective, scalable CDR strategy for acid-impacted forests but at large scales requires sustainable sources of silicate rock dust. |
URL | https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/18/169/2021/ |
DOI | 10.5194/bg-18-169-2021 |
StartPage | 169 |
EndPage | 188 |