Monat: November 2024

Peer-reviewed Publications

Saharudin et al. (2024): Reforestation of tropical rainforests as a negative emissions technology in Malaysia: An environmental and economic sustainability assessment

Djasmine Mastisya Saharudin, Harish Kumar Jeswani, Adisa Azapagic IN: Journal of Environmental Management, 371, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123250

The understanding of the sustainability of forest carbon sequestration is limited due to the scarcity of studies. Focusing on reforestation, this work is the first to present an extensive environmental and economic assessment of forest CO2 sequestration in a tropical rainforest country such as Malaysia. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) are combined to evaluate the sustainability of reforestation with four tropical tree species: keruing (Dipterocarpus spp.), meranti (Shorea leprosula), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and kapok (Ceiba Pentandra). Considering the horizon of 60 years, the system boundaries comprise site infrastructure, land clearing, tree planting and growing, and forest management. The dynamics of greenhouse gas (GHG) and other air emissions are also considered over the period, including carbon sequestration and land use change, nitrous oxide and ethylene emissions.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Song et al. (2024): Oyster shell facilitates the green production of nitrogen-doped porous biochar from macroalgae: a case study for removing atrazine from water

Liying Song, Hu Cheng, Cuiying Liu, Rongting Ji, Shi Yao, Huihui Cao, Yi Li, Yongrong Bian, Xin Jiang, Irmina Ćwieląg-Piasecka, Yang Song IN: Biochar, 6, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-024-00372-9

Low-cost and green preparation of efficient sorbents is critical to the removal of organic contaminants during water treatment. In this study, the co-pyrolysis of macroalgae and oyster shell was designed to synthesize nitrogen-doped porous biochars for sorption removal of atrazine from water.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Wan et al. (2024): Biochar‑based hydrogel evaporator with vertically arranged channels for efficient solar steam generation, desalination and water purification

Honghai Wan, Xinxi Fu, Yonghua Chen, Lizhen Zhao, Tingting Wang, Yuancen Liu IN: Separation and Purification Technology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2024.130795

Three-dimensional (3D) evaporators are regarded as a promising solution to the global water crisis due to their extensive evaporation surface area and minimal diffuse reflection. Nevertheless, the limited water supply capacity of 3D evaporators may greatly hinder their highly efficient evaporation and widespread application. In this study, we designed and developed a biochar-based hydrogel 3D evaporator with vertically aligned channels (CAM), composed of rice straw-derived carbon, hydrogel, and sodium alginate. The material combination and vertical structure endow the CAM with high light-absorbing capacity (∼100 %), exceptional photothermal conversion efficiency (126.08 %), rapid water transport, and efficient evaporation (1.88 kg·m-2h-1, 1KW/m2).

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Burt et al. (2024): Planetary Technologies‘ Groundbreaking Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Project in Halifax, and the Emergence of Halifax as a Global mCDR Hub

Will Burt, Steve Rackley, Robert Izett, Jason Vallis, Omar Sadoon, Greg Rau, Mariam Melashvili, Tim Cross IN: OCEANS 2024 – Halifax, DOI: 10.1109/OCEANS55160.2024.10754096

Here, the authors outline the science behind OAE, and provide details of the past and present advances in the science, engineering, and community building at a worlds-first OAE field trial site in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The site is operated by Halifax-based Planetary Technologies, and the R&D work is conducted alongside numerous local and international collaborators spanning academia, philanthropic organizations, and engineering firms. While the fundamental science is relatively straightforward, the practical deployment of Planetary’s end-to-end OAE process is complex and interdisciplinary,

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Hopkins et al. (2024): Carbon capture potential and environmental impact of concrete weathering in soil

Brittany Multer Hopkins, Rattan Lal, W. Berry Lyons, Susan A. Welch IN: Science of The Total Environment, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177692

The objective of this research was to conduct a laboratory experiment and evaluate the environmental impacts and carbon capture potential of concrete as an enhanced weathering material in soil. A column study was conducted with four treatments comprised of: 1) 100 % soil (S treatment), 2) 90 % soil and 10 % concrete by weight of 0.25–0.71 mm diameter fragments (S + Cfine treatment), 3) 90 % soil and 10 % concrete by weight of 8–25 mm diameter fragments (S + Ccoarse treatment), and 4) 100 % concrete composed of 8–25 mm diameter fragments (C treatment). Deionized water was added to the columns for 16 weeks.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Ho & Bopp (2024): Marine carbon dioxide removal may be a future climate solution

David T Ho, Laurent Bopp IN: Dialogues on Climate Change, https://doi.org/10.1177/29768659241293223

Various marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) techniques have been proposed, including biotic approaches such as blue carbon conservation and abiotic techniques such as ocean alkalinity enhancement. While biotic techniques are often preferred for their perceived ecological benefits, abiotic approaches offer higher sequestration potential and longer-term carbon storage. However, significant knowledge gaps and challenges remain, particularly in monitoring, reporting, and verification. As decarbonization progresses, mCDR could be essential for removing residual and legacy CO2 emissions. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness, impacts, and social acceptance of various mCDR techniques, ensuring the ocean’s continued role in climate mitigation.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Olawepo et al. (2024): Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration in the Global South: The Roles of Microbes and Biological Matter

Gabriel Kehinde Olawepo, Opeyemi Saheed Kolawole, John Ojo Isah IN:  
Sustainable Soil Systems in Global South, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-5276-8_14

The roles of microbes and biological matter in enhancing soil carbon sequestration in the Global South are explored in this chapter. The chapter begins by providing an introduction to the significance of soil carbon sequestration and the specific focus on microbial communities and biological matter. Understanding the dynamics of soil carbon sequestration and the factors influencing it forms the foundation for effective strategies. The authors discuss the current challenges and opportunities faced in the Global South regarding soil carbon sequestration and highlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, are key players in carbon cycling and storage. The authors delve into the intricate interactions between soil microbial communities and plant roots and emphasize their contribution to carbon sequestration. They explore microbial processes involved in organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and the formation of stable soil organic carbon.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Cong et al. (2024): CO₂ sequestration and soil improvement in enhanced rock weathering: A review from an experimental perspective

Lianghan Cong, Shuaiyi Lu, Pan Jiang, Tianqi Zheng, Ziwang Yu, Xiaoshu Lü IN: Greenhouse gases Science and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.2313

This study adopts a critical research approach to review existing ERW experiments, focusing on the mechanisms of soil improvement and CO₂ sequestration, as well as the economic costs and environmental risks associated with its large-scale implementation. The results demonstrate that while ERW effectively enhances soil pH and provides essential nutrients for crops, its CO₂ sequestration capacity is highly dependent on variables such as soil type, rock type, application rate, and particle size. 

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Lörch et al. (2024): From CO2 to Solid Carbon: Reaction Mechanism, Active Species, and Conditioning the Ce-Alloyed GaInSn Catalyst

Daniel Lörch, Aya G. A. Mohamed, Holger Euchner, Janick Timm, Jonas Hiller, Peter Bogdanoff, Matthias M. May IN: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c05482

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 is a promising realization of negative emissions to mitigate climate change, aiming at the efficient production and safe long-term storage of carbon-rich sink products. This approach, however, necessitates novel catalyst materials specifically targeting electrochemical carbon dioxide removal. In this work, the authors investigate synthesis routes for a cerium-incorporated GaInSn-based liquid metal catalyst, focusing on the electrochemical production of graphitic carbon.

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Scientific Theses

PhD-thesis: Mineral Carbonation Potential and Transition Metal Migration in Kimberlite and Ultramafic Rocks: An Integrated Study of Acid Leaching, Enhanced Rock Weathering, and Microbial CO2 Sequestration

Baolin Wang, University of Alberta, https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-b743-cx81

Carbonation of mafic and ultramafic rocks and mineral wastes provides a permanent way to sequester excess atmospheric CO2. Recent research has shown that this method also offers the potential for enhanced recovery of critical metals from mine tailings. This thesis presents a comprehensive study on the potential for CO2 sequestration through the carbonation of ultramafic rocks and mineral wastes from diamond mines. Utilizing a variety of analytical and experimental methods, this research aims to enhance our understanding of mineral carbonation processes and their application in offsetting CO2 emissions, while also exploring the recovery of critical metals from mine tailings.

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