Enhanced Rock Weathering
Context:
Recently, Mati Carbon won the $50m XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition. Mati Carbon uses the Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) technique to not only remove atmospheric CO₂ but also to enrich farmland, that could benefit farmers.
Relevance:
- GS3: Environmental Conservation, Agricultural Technology, Climate Change Mitigation
What is Enhanced Rock Weathering?
- In simple terms, ERW is about making rocks work for the planet.
- The process uses the crushed basalt or similar volcanic rocks (like olivine), which are in the form of dust, to spread it across landscapes.
- This crushed powder, over the period of time, reacts with the CO₂ present in the air to transform into stable, inorganic carbon that flows into water bodies like rivers and oceans.
- This is believed to stay locked up for years to come.
Key Benefits of the Model
- Environmental Significance
- Permanent Carbon Sequestration: Carbon is stored in a stable, inorganic form for 10,000+ years, offering a reliable alternative to short-cycle carbon sequestration techniques.
- Combats Ocean Acidification: Runoff from weathered basalt increases alkalinity of seawater, which helps buffer against acidification.
- Agricultural Co-benefits
- Enhanced Soil Health: The release of essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium improves soil fertility.
- Increased Crop Yields: Field reports suggest yield increases of up to 70% in certain regions.
- Reduction in Input Costs: Farmers have experienced up to 65% reduction in pesticide use and lower dependence on synthetic fertilisers.
Prelims Practice Question:
Q. With reference to Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW), consider the following statements:
- It uses powdered volcanic rocks like basalt to sequester carbon dioxide.
- The process is purely chemical and does not offer any benefits to soil fertility.
- It can contribute to reducing ocean acidification.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- A) 1 and 2 only
- B) 1 and 3 only
- C) 2 and 3 only
- D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
(Statement 2 is incorrect — ERW improves soil health.)
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