Rapid removal of atmospheric CO2 by urban soils

Washbourne, Carla-Leanne, Lopez-Capel, Elisa, Renforth, Philip, Ascough, Philippa L. and Manning, David A. C 2015. Rapid removal of atmospheric CO2 by urban soils. Environmental Science and Technology 49 (9) , pp. 5434-5440. 10.1021/es505476d

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Abstract

The measured calcium carbonate content of soils to a depth of 100 mm at a large urban development site has increased over 18 months at a rate that corresponds to the sequestration of 85 t of CO2/ha (8.5 kg of CO2 m–2) annually. This is a consequence of rapid weathering of calcium silicate and hydroxide minerals derived from the demolition of concrete structures, which releases Ca that combines with CO2 ultimately derived from the atmosphere, precipitating as calcite. Stable isotope data confirm an atmospheric origin for carbonate carbon, and 14C dating indicates the predominance of modern carbon in the pedogenic calcite. Trial pits show that carbonation extends to depths of ≥1 m. Work at other sites shows that the occurrence of pedogenic carbonates is widespread in artificially created urban soils containing Ca and Mg silicate minerals. Appropriate management of fewer than 12000 ha of urban land to maximize calcite precipitation has the potential to remove 1 million t of CO2 from the atmosphere annually. The maximal global potential is estimated to be approximately 700–1200 Mt of CO2 per year (representing 2.0–3.7% of total emissions from fossil fuel combustion) based on current rates of production of industry-derived Ca- and Mg-bearing materials.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Earth and Environmental Sciences
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering T Technology > TP Chemical technology
Publisher:	American Chemical Society
ISSN:	0013-936X
Funders:	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Natural Enviroment Research Council
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Date of Acceptance:	2 April 2015
Last Modified:	19 Nov 2024 12:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/73568

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