The role of soil ecology and microbiology in sustainable carbon capture (carbonate precipitation) within artificial soils incorporating industry waste

The proposal identifies critical knowledge gaps in using artificial soils to capture carbon. This covers aspects of the physical, chemical and biological components of artificial soils, and importantly, includes consideration of spatial and temporal variations in these properties. The project strongly relates to all four of the ONE Planet research themes. An important outcome of this project will be elucidating the microbial mechanism behind carbon storage in these particular soils. This is critical for expanding the use of artificial soils as part of the circular economy, in the UK and beyond, to increase the recycling of non-hazardous construction materials. The results from this project have potential to shed new light on microbial mechanisms involved in carbon storage, as well as contributing practical support to the construction industry in providing a long-term sustainable route for re-use of wastes.