CO2-removal News

Anandapadmanaban et al. (2025): Optimizing the generated waste proportion to improve the characteristics of biochar for CO2 sequestration and other applications

Baala H. Anandapadmanaban, Yen San Chan, Chi-Wen Lin and Shu-Hui Liu IN: Springer Nature, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-025-06187-3

This review emphasizes the substantial progress in producing biochar from waste materials and its contribution to CO2 sequestration, thereby mitigating the environmental impact.

Eckland et al. (2025): Accelerated Organic Carbon Burial Rates Reconstructed in Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico During a Megadrought

A. C. Eckland, I. Overeem, B. Carlson and K. B. Lininger IN: Water Resources Research, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR035254

The authors investigated sedimentation processes in a dryland reservoir and informed OC burial and potential preservation. Their study site, Elephant Butte Reservoir on the Rio Grande, New Mexico, USA receives inflows from sediment-laden, monsoon-driven flash floods. Using field data, historical reservoir sedimentation survey and river flux (water, sediment, and OC) data, they estimated sedimentation and carbon burial volumes and rates within the delta, reservoir bottom, and whole reservoir during wet (1980–1988) and dry (2007–2017/2019) climate periods. During severe drought (2021–2022), we measured suspended sediment and OC concentrations for characteristic (seasonal) phases of the river hydrograph, monitored delta sedimentation patterns, and observed river outflow plume dynamics.

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Zeeshan & Gurkan (2025): Sorbent Regeneration via Radiofrequency-Assisted Dielectric Heating for Direct Air Capture of CO2

Muhammad Zeeshan and Burcu Gurkan IN: ACS Applied Engineering Materials, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaenm.5c00202

The authors report an unconventional approach to desorb captured CO2 from a porous sorbent using radiofrequency (RF) irradiation for dielectric heating and targeted energy transfer, thus enabling modularity and promoting renewable energy input. Regeneration of composites of functional ionic liquid and metal–organic framework with high CO2 capacity and enhanced transport is demonstrated under conditions relevant to DAC.

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Anderson et al. (2025): Ocean alkalinity enhancement in a coastal channel: simulating localised dispersion, carbon sequestration and ecosystem impact

Harris Anderson, Mathieu Mongin and Richard J Matear IN: Environmental Research Communications, https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/adce5a

The authors simulate local (200 m horizontal resolution) OAE scenarios at a location where an OAE field trial is planned (Woodbridge, Tasmania) to investigate how simulations can guide the local design of OAE. Their simulations show the importance of seasonality where surface alkalinity retention, plume sizes and carbon sequestration efficiency are primarily controlled by surface stratification with wind stress and tidal currents playing a secondary role.

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Rabea et al. (2025): A new hydrogen production route through biomass gasification in a two-stage fixed bed reactor within the BECCS concept: A techno-economic and life cycle assessment study

Karim Rabea, Stavros Michailos, Kevin J. Hughes, Derek Ingham and Mohamed Pourkashanian IN: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.441

The current research comprehensively assesses the techno-economic and environmental performance of hydrogen production through gasification in an industrial scale 10 MWth two-stage gasifier within the BECCS concept; technical data has been generated through exhaustive process modelling. Three different scenarios have been investigated, one without CCS and two with CCS, and different strategies for the electricity supply.

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Ward et al. (2025): Techno-economic analysis of ocean iron fertilization

Callum Ward, Reinaldo Juan Lee Pereira, Spyros Foteinis and Phil Renforth IN: Frontiers in Climate, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2025.1509367

This study provides an updated comprehensive framework for conducting techno-economic assessment (TEA) on novel carbon dioxide removal approaches. Specifically, the framework is applied to an ocean iron fertilization (OIF) deployment scenario in the Southern Ocean. The study investigates whether cost elements such as administrative and support labor are accurately included in standard methodologies and proposes solutions on how to characterize prospective cost elements and uncertainty in novel CDR TEA’s.

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Booth & Giuntoli (2025): Burning Up the Carbon Sink: How the EU’s Forest Biomass Policy Undermines Climate Mitigation

M. S. Booth, J. Giuntoli IN: Global Change Biology Bioenergy, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.70035

Forest biomass harvesting, driven by renewable energy incentives, has significantly weakened the EU’s forest carbon sink. The authors highlight that current EU and UK biomass policies are misaligned with IPCC guidance, undermining climate targets. The increased reliance on BECCS, despite its questionable net-negative CO₂ impact, exacerbates pressure on forests. The authors propose policy reforms focusing on reducing biomass subsidies and prioritizing solar, wind, and geothermal energy.

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Anthony et al. (2025): Supplementing Enhanced Weathering With Organic Amendments Accelerates the Net Climate Benefit of Soil Amendments in Rangeland Soils

Tyler L. Anthony, Andrew R. Jones, Whendee L. Silver IN: AGU Advances, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024AV001480

The authors explored combining finely ground metabasaltic rock with other soil CDR technologies (compost and biochar amendments) to stimulate carbon (C) sequestration.

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Ren et al. (2025): Olivine-induced seasonal dynamics of eukaryotic microalgal and bacterial assemblages in mid-latitude nearshore marine ecosystems

Hongwei Ren, Yubin Hu, Lianbao Zhang, Xianzhe Gong, Liwen Zheng and Jihua Liu IN: Marine Pollution Bulletin, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117964

Ocean alkalinization, especially through olivine addition, represents a promising strategy for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. The addition of olivine may have seasonal impacts on marine microalgal and bacterial communities, which have not been studied yet. In this study, controlled laboratory experiments were conducted in spring and autumn to measure the responses of microalgal and bacterial communities to olivine addition in different seasons.

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Yang et al. (2025): Enhancement of Biochar Carbon Sequestration Through Mineral Regulation: Effects and Mechanisms

Fan Yang, Pengxiao Gao, Lin Chi, Zhongyu Gao, Yajun Wang, Liu Luo, Bo Liu, Xinyue Liu and Jingke Sima IN: Agronomy, https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040943

The conversion of waste biomass into biochar through inert pyrolysis represents a promising strategy for carbon sequestration. To enhance the carbon retention rate of biochar during pyrolysis and its stability in the environment, this study explored the incorporation of various metal soluble salts and clay minerals with two types of waste biomass for pre-treatment to enhance both carbon retention and stability in the resulting biochar. Furthermore, to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of minerals on biochar structural formation, the three primary components of raw biomass were individually mixed with the minerals at a ratio of 1:5 (mineral/biomass, w/w) to produce biochars for a comparative analysis.

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