CDR & Enhanced Weathering
The term “Enhanced Weathering” in the context of Greenhouse Gas Removal methodologies describes the application of rock powder to sequester CO2 by chemical weathering in terrestrial or aquatic systems. Besides the sequestration of CO2, depending on the used rock, geogenic nutrients are released, soil properties can be improved, also in combination with other CDR-methods like Biochar. We analyze the applicability of the concept of artificially enhanced weathering, considering aspects of climate change and security (Review in Hartmann et al., 2013)
Currently three major projects are in the focus of our research:
a) In the EU-project Ocean-NETS we study in work package 5 ocean alkalinization and the impact on biogeochemistry and ecosystem. A major focus is on kinetics of minerals and stability of alkalinity.
b) In the Eu-project BAM! we will study with partners from September 2021 on Super Bio-Accelerated Mineral weathering as a new climate risk hedging reactor technology.
c) The CarbDown-Project investigates with field trials, greenhouse and laboratory experiments the CO2 removal potential by mineral product application, with and without biochar.
Past projects
a) CEMICS 1 & 2
Contextualizing Climate Engineering and Mitigation: Illusion, Complement or Substitute? (DFG 10/2013 to 09/2020). Part of the DFG Priority Program "Climate Engineering: Risks, Challenges, Opportunities?": www.spp-climate-engineering.de
b) Identifying the reaction kinetics of rock powder in microcosm and mesocosm experiments and studying best practice application methods. er in microcosm and mesocosm experiments and studying best practice application methods. First outcome from the Antwerp mesocosm experiment can be found in Amann et al. (2020).