Enhanced weathering in the US Corn Belt delivers carbon removal with agronomic benefits

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Beerling, David J.; Epihov, Dimitar Z.; Kantola, Ilsa B.; Masters, Michael D.; Reershemius, Tom; Planavsky, Noah J.; Reinhard, Christopher T.; Jordan, Jacob S.; Thorne, Sarah J.; Weber, James; Martin, Maria Val; Freckleton, Robert P.; Hartley, Sue E.; James, Rachael H.; Pearce, Christopher R.; Delucia, Evan H.; Banwart, Steven A.
• 署名单位: University of Sheffield; University of Illinois System; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Yale University; University System of Georgia; Georgia Institute of Technology; NERC National Oceanography Centre; University of Southampton; NERC National Oceanography Centre; University of Leeds; University of Leeds
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-9354
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319436121
• 发表日期: 2024-02-27
• 关键词: nitrogen use efficiency; ph; molybdenum; transport; dioxide; agriculture; phosphorus; exchange; silicon; CROPS

摘要

Terrestrial enhanced weathering (EW) of silicate rocks, such as crushed basalt, on farmlands is a promising scalable atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy that urgently requires performance assessment with commercial farming practices. We report findings from a large-scale replicated EW field trial across a typical maize-soybean rotation on an experimental farm in the heart of the United Sates Corn Belt over 4 y (2016 to 2020). We show an average combined loss of major cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) from crushed basalt applied each fall over 4 y (50 t ha(-1) y(-1)) gave a conservative time-integrated cumulative CDR potential of 10.5 +/- 3.8 t CO2 ha(-1). Maize and soybean yields increased significantly (P < 0.05) by 12 to 16% with EW following improved soil fertility, decreased soil acidification, and upregulation of root nutrient transport genes. Yield enhancements with EW were achieved with significantly (P < 0.05) increased key micro- and macronutrient concentrations (including potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc), thus improving or maintaining crop nutritional status. We observed no significant increase in the content of trace metals in grains of maize or soybean or soil exchangeable pools relative to controls. Our findings suggest that widespread adoption of EW across farming sectors has the potential to contribute significantly to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals while simultaneously improving food and soil security.