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CASPER: A modelling framework to link mineral carbonation with the turnover of organic matter in soil

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Ben Kolosz, Professor David ManningORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© 2019 The Authors Rapid formation of stable soil carbonates offers a potential biologically-mediated strategy for removing atmospheric CO2 and forms a part of the negative emissions debate in a bid to maintain global temperatures of 1.5 °C. Microbial respiration in soil and respiration by plant roots leads to high partial pressure of CO2 below ground. Given adequate supply of calcium in soil solution the sequestration of C into the mineral calcite (CaCO3) can occur at rapid rates. We have coupled an established soil C model RothC to a simplified geochemical model so that this strategy can be explored and assessed by simulation. The combined model CASPER partitions CO2 respired belowground into soil solution as HCO3 − and simulates its reaction with Ca2+ based on a particular dissolution rate for Ca-bearing minerals, with precipitation of calcite into soil pores as a consequence. Typical model output matches observed field rates of calcite accumulation over 5 years, namely 81 t ha−1, with 19 t CO2 ha−1 sequestered into the soil.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Kolosz BW, Sohi SP, Manning DAC

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Computers and Geosciences

Year: 2019

Volume: 124

Pages: 58-71

Print publication date: 01/03/2019

Online publication date: 05/01/2019

Acceptance date: 23/12/2018

Date deposited: 11/02/2019

ISSN (print): 0098-3004

ISSN (electronic): 1873-7803

Publisher: Pergamon Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2018.12.012

DOI: 10.1016/j.cageo.2018.12.012

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