Quantification of carbon sequestration during enhanced weathering: A novel trace elemental and isotopic approach

Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) involves the removal of atmospheric CO2 during silicate weathering of fine-grained basalt, which is spread on agricultural land. This process enhances natural weathering rates and thus the drawdown of atmospheric CO2 via associated rock carbonation reactions. The major challenge with ERW is how to measure and precisely quantify the amount of atmospheric CO2 removed and stored during the process. This project will aim to develop novel methods to quantify the drawdown of atmospheric CO2 and compare this with the CO2 budget of natural high weathering rate systems. The main objective of the project is to assess the viability of ERW as a long-term carbon offsetting tool. The student will work closely with UNDO, the industry partner, and have access to an exclusive range of samples from their large scale and long term global basalt spreading test sites. The student will be involved in sample collection from UNDOs test sites and other field missions to investigate and sample analogous natural systems, such as basaltic terranes with naturally high weathering rates (e.g The Azores, Iceland and Hawaii). Together this will be used to construct a carbon model and budget for the long-term contribution of ERW with the ultimate goal of assessing the suitability of the ERW technique as a tool to combat the global climate crisis.