Zacharias et al. (2026): Evaluating trace-metal responses to field deployment of enhanced rock weathering across agricultural and riparian soils – Preprint
Quinn Zacharias, Robert Rioux, Fengchao Sun, Wyatt Tagte, Joshua L. Warren, Peter A. Raymond, James E. Saiers, IN: CDRXiv, https://doi.org/10.70212/cdrxiv.2026463.v1
Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is proposed for carbon dioxide removal, but responsible field deployment requires careful evaluation of potential trace-metal risks. The authors applied finely crushed, Fe–Al-rich basalt (20 t ha⁻¹) to the soil surface of hayfield and pasture soils in a working Vermont dairy agroecosystem and monitored an adjacent riparian corridor hydrologically connected to the treated fields. Agricultural surface soils (0–15 cm) were sampled twice before application (fall 2022 and spring 2023) and four times afterward (fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024; spring 2025), and riparian soils were sampled once before application and during four post-treatment campaigns. Forage biomass and tissue chemistry were measured at first cut in spring 2023 (pre-treatment) and spring 2024 (one year post-treatment). Extractable soil metals were quantified using the Modified Morgan extractant.