CO2-removal news

Peer-reviewed Publications

Neubrand et al. (2025): Activation and Fixation of Atmospheric CO2 through a 1,2,3-Triazole-based Mesoionic Carbene-Borane Adduct

Maren Neubrand, Jessica Stubbe, Richard Rudolf, Robert R. M. Walter, Maite Nößler, Biprajit Sarkar IN: Chemistry A European Journal, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202403942

Capturing atmospheric CO2 and converting it to valuable chemicals are important goals in contemporary science. Here, the authors present a simple, transition metal-free triazolylidene-borane adduct that can capture atmospheric CO2 and convert it to formate. Several key intermediates were isolated and characterized by a combination of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The first closed cycle for the conversion of CO2 to formic acid by using the aforementioned triazolylidene-borane compound is also presented.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Nature – Afrane et al. (2025): Targeted carbon dioxide removal measures are essential for the cost and energy transformation of the electricity sector by 2050

Sandylove Afrane, Jeffrey Dankwa Ampah, Humphrey Adun, Jian Lin Chen, Hongyang Zou, Guozhu Mao, Pingjian Yang IN:Communications Earth & Environment, 6,

Carbon dioxide removal is crucial for moderating the rapid pace of power sector transformation, while electrification can reduce the emission intensity of the carbon removal process. Here, the authors use a multisector model to explore the impact of varying levels of CO2 removal (1 to 10 gigatonnes CO2 per year) on the electricity sector by 2050 under 1.5 °C and 2 °C future warming.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Raven et al. (2025): Big Decisions from Small Experiments: Observational strategies for biomass-based marine carbon storage

Morgan Raven, Natalya Evans, Aaron M Martinez, Alexandra A Phillips IN: Environmental Research Letters, DOI 10.1088/1748-9326/adc28d

The authors define five generalizable phases for biomass-based marine carbon storage projects: inputs, placement, short-term response, long-term response, and functional stability. Each phase is associated with observational needs with characteristic spatial and temporal scales that could be met through direct field measurements, investigations of analog sites, experiments, and/or models.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Science – Bar-On et al. (2025): Recent gains in global terrestrial carbon stocks are mostly stored in nonliving pools

Yinon M. Bar-On, Xiaojun Li, Michael O’Sullivan, Jean-Pierre Wigneron, Stephen Sitch, Philippe Ciais, Christian Frankenberg, Woodward W. Fischer IN: Science, 387, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adk1637

Terrestrial sequestration of carbon has mitigated ≈30% of anthropogenic carbon emissions. However, its distribution across different pools, live or dead biomass and soil and sedimentary organic carbon, remains uncertain. Analyzing global observational datasets of changes in terrestrial carbon pools, the authors found that ≈35 ± 14 gigatons of carbon (GtC) have been sequestered on land between 1992 and 2019, whereas live biomass changed by ≈1 ± 7 GtC. Global vegetation models instead imply that sequestration has been mostly in live biomass. The authors identify key processes not included in most models that can explain this discrepancy.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Prats-Salvado et al. (2025): owering Direct Air Capture: Overview of Existing Concepts and the Overlooked Role of Concentrated Solar Thermal Technologies

Enric Prats-Salvado, Nathalie Monnerie, Christian Sattler IN: Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, 7, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40518-025-00255-y

This review aims to summarize the different energy sources that have been proposed to power direct air capture (DAC) of CO2, to assess their maturity and to suggest overlooked concepts.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Neumann et al. (2025): Riverine Photosynthesis Influences the Carbon Sequestration Potential of Enhanced Rock Weathering

Rebecca B Neumann, Tyler Kukla, Shuang Zhang, David E Butman IN: Frontiers in Climate, 7, doi: 10.3389/fclim.2025.1582786

In terrestrial enhanced rock weathering (ERW), crushed rocks are spread on land where they react with CO2 and water, forming dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and alkalinity. For long-term sequestration, these products must travel through rivers to oceans, where carbon remains stored for over 10,000 years. Carbon and alkalinity can be lost during river transport, reducing ERW efficacy. However, the ability of biological processes, such as aquatic photosynthesis, to affect the fate of DIC and alkalinity within rivers has been overlooked. We argue that estimating ERW’s carbon sequestration potential requires consideration and better understanding of biological processes in rivers.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Silverman-Roati et al. (2025): Liability Considerations for Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Projects in U.S. Waters

Korey Silverman-Roati, Martin Lockman, Romany M. Webb IN: https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/sabin_climate_change/244

Previous studies have analyzed the potential international and domestic legal framework applicable to marine CDR research and subsequent deployment (if that is ultimately deemed appropriate). However, relatively little research has analyzed the potential for this legal framework to impose liability on marine CDR project proponents (e.g., for environmental harms resulting from their activities). This report begins to fill that gap with regard to projects in U.S. ocean waters by analyzing potential liability for marine CDR project proponents under U.S. federal statute, and federal and state tort law.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Prats-Salvado et al. (2025): Powering Direct Air Capture: Overview of Existing Concepts and the Overlooked Role of Concentrated Solar Thermal Technologies

Enric Prats-Salvado, Nathalie Monnerie, Christian Sattler IN: Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40518-025-00255-y

Identifying energy sources for DAC that are both scalable and low in carbon intensity remains a major challenge for widespread deployment. Promising options have been identified, such as nuclear and curtailable renewables, as well as a growing interest in power-to-heat and fully electric solutions, and a research gap in the potential of CST technologies to power DAC systems.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Neumann et al. (2025): Riverine Photosynthesis Influences the Carbon Sequestration Potential of Enhanced Rock Weathering

Rebecca B Neumann, Tyler Kukla, Shuang Zhang, David E Butman IN: Frontiers in Climate, doi: 10.3389/fclim.2025.1582786

In terrestrial ERW, crushed rocks are spread on land where they react with CO2 and water, forming dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and alkalinity. For long-term sequestration, these products must travel through rivers to oceans, where carbon remains stored for over 10,000 years. Carbon and alkalinity can be lost during river transport, reducing ERW efficacy. However, the ability of biological processes, such as aquatic photosynthesis, to affect the fate of DIC and alkalinity within rivers has been overlooked. The analysis indicates that within a stream-order segment, aquatic photosynthesis uptakes 1% -30% of DIC delivered by flow for most locations. The effect of this uptake on ERW efficacy, however, depends on the cell-membrane transport mechanism and the fate of photosynthetic carbon.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Shangguan et al. (2025): Carbon storage and sequestration of five planting patterns of Picea crassifolia plantations in Qilian Mountains

Yaoyao Shangguan, Hu Zhao, Zhengzhong Zhang, Erwen Xu, Dong Lv, Yanxia Wang, Xingpeng Zhao, Na Wei, Gang Chen, Xingyu Wei, Zhiwen Gao, Mengde Liu IN: Frontiers in Earth Science, doi: 10.3389/feart.2025.1560899

Tree planting patterns play a critical role in influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and carbon(C) sequestration potential in forest ecosystems. This study investigated the effects of different planting methods on C stocks in Picea crassifolia plantations located in the shallow mountainous region of the Qilian Mountains, northwest China. Fifteen sample plots were established across five plantation types to quantify biomass, SOC content, and carbon storage in vegetation and soil layers.

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