CARBO-RESTORE: Carbon powered soil restoration for engineering degraded landscapes. (CARBO-RESTORE)

CARBO-RESTORE elevates carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to a new level of implementation: the restoration of degraded soils in the Global South. Our goal is to demonstrate that three CDR techniques—enhanced weathering (EW) of silicates, biochar (BC), and soil carbon sequestration (SCS)—can be integrated to replicate the natural formation of fertile soils. The combined CDR technologies have the potential to finance a significant portion of soil remediation costs through carbon credits. However, the primary value extends beyond carbon sequestration. The CARBO-RESTORE method enhances soil water retention, provides a natural source of essential micro- and macro-nutrients, and creates a stable soil matrix for agriculture. In this project, we will conduct a 3-year mesocosm experiment to assess in detail the impact of fundamental aspects of the method: the applied soil layer's thickness and the silicate grain size. In the second phase, we will conduct a field trial with the most promising combinations. Both strategies will yield crucial evidence for an integrated modeling approach, providing key insights into the processes involved in soil C sequestration, as well as a quantification of the long-term CDR potential of the CARBO-RESTORE technology.

Keywords:CARBON SEQUESTRATION, SOIL DEGRADATION

Disciplines:Biogeochemistry, Carbon sequestration science, Environmental engineering design, Crop science, Sustainable agriculture

Project type:Collaboration project