CO₂-removal News

Peer-reviewed Publications

Murali & Wong (2024): A comprehensive review of biochar-modified concrete: Mechanical performance and microstructural insights

G. Murali, Leong Sing Wong IN: Construction and Building Materials, 425, 135986, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.135986

This review article comprehensively analyses biochar’s source and properties to evaluate its effectiveness as a cement substitute in cement-based materials and concrete. The review begins by exploring the different methods utilized in biochar production, focusing on how they influence its chemical properties. This review assesses the properties of fresh and hardened cement mortars and concrete, incorporating biochar while investigating their microstructural characteristics.

LINK

#
Peer-reviewed Publications

Dahai et al. (2024): The application of magical microalgae in carbon sequestration and emission reduction: Removal mechanisms and potential analysis

He Dahai, Yin Zhihong, Qin Lin, Li Yuhong, Tian Lei, Li Jiang, Zhu Liandong IN: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 197, 114417, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114417

Based on the current status of microalgae research and application, this review focuses on the intrinsic mechanism of microalgae carbon sequestration and emission reduction as well as the influencing factors of microalgae cultivation and growth and further explores the potential of microalgae carbon sequestration and emission reduction and its application in terms of carbon sequestration and emission reduction efficiency, economic feasibility and practical application. To solve the current challenges of microalgae carbon sequestration and emission reduction applications, it is proposed that the anti-pollution ability and carbon sequestration efficiency of microalgae can be improved through genetic engineering and the construction of suitable microalgae cultivation systems, combined with the wastewater and waste gas treatment and microalgae multi-product biorefinery to reduce the energy inputs and greenhouse gas emissions.

LINK

#
Peer-reviewed Publications

Nature – Sun et al. (2024): Nature-based Solutions can help restore degraded grasslands and increase carbon sequestration in the Tibetan Plateau

Jian Sun, Yingxin Wang, Tien Ming Lee, Xiaowei Nie, Tao Wang, Eryuan Liang, Yafeng Wang, Lin Zhang, Jun Wang, Shilong Piao, Fahu Chen, Bojie Fu IN: Communications Earth & Environment, 5, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01330-w

Here, the authors investigated the rationale and urgency behind the implementation of Nature-based Solutions on sequestering carbon using literature review and meta-analysis. They also project the changes in terrestrial carbon sink of Tibetan Plateau grassland ecosystems using model simulations with different future emissions scenario.

LINK

#
Peer-reviewed Publications

Everson et al. (2024): What is the potential of bioCCS to deliver negative emissions in Norway? From biomass mapping to a window of negative emissions potential

Nikalet Everson, Michaël Becidan, Simon Roussanaly, Rahul Anantharaman, Petronelle Holt, Roger Khalil IN: Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 40, e00912, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2024.e00912

Ground-up approaches are necessary to better understand the realistic potential of negative emissions technologies at the national or continental level. Such an approach was applied in the present study to understand the potential of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage to deliver negative emissions in Norway, starting from mapping and quantification of biomass until the derivation of a window of negative emission potential.

LINK

#
Peer-reviewed Publications

Han et al. (2024): Carbon sequestration potential of biochar in soil from the perspective of organic carbon structural modification

Lanfang Han, Cuiling Lu, Liying Chen, Fayuan Wang, Qi’ang Chen, Kuo Gao, Yuanyuan Yu, Chao Xu IN: Applied Soil Ecology, 198, 105389, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2024.105389

While there has been extensive research on the priming effect of biochar on the mineralization of native soil organic carbon (nSOC), its correlation with soil organic carbon (SOC) structural variations remains poorly understood. A series of incubation experiments with soils amended with biochar prepared at 300 °C, 450 °C, and 600 °C were performed to explore the shifts in nSOC structure and reveal the interconnections among soil properties, SOC structural variation, and the priming effect induced by biochar.

LINK

#
Peer-reviewed Publications

Nature – Scott-Buechler et al. (2024): Communities conditionally support deployment of direct air capture for carbon dioxide removal in the United States

Celina Scott-Buechler, Bruce Cain, Khalid Osman, Nicole M. Ardoin, Catherine Fraser, Grace Adcox, Emily Polk, Robert B. Jackson IN: Communications Earth & Environment, 5, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01334-6

Direct air capture has gained traction as a method for carbon dioxide removal. How and whether direct air capture can be deployed requires securing social license to operate, and increasingly demands environmental justice and just transition principles. Here the authors use a nationally representative survey to evaluate public perceptions of direct air capture, paired with focus groups to assess community perceptions across four communities in the United States: Houston, Texas; Monaca, Pennsylvania; Bakersfield, California; and Rock Springs, Wyoming. 

LINK

#
Peer-reviewed Publications

Nature – Corbett et al. (2024): Organic carbon source controlled microbial olivine dissolution in small-scale flow-through bioreactors, for CO2 removal

Thomas D. W. Corbett, Marcus Westholm, Anna Rosling, Tullia Calogiuri, Reinaldy Poetra, Harun Niron, Mathilde Hagens, Alix Vidal, Jan Willem Van Groenigen, Jens Hartmann, Ivan A. Janssens, Lukas Rieder, Eric Struyf, Michiel Van Tendeloo, Siegfried E. Vlaeminck, Sara Vicca, Anna Neubeck IN: npj Materials Degradation, 8, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-024-00454-w

Here the authors are investigating the importance of the organic carbon feedstock to support silicate mineral weathering in small-scale flow through bioreactors and subsequent CO2 sequestration. They combine two bacteria and two fungi, widely reported for their weathering potential, in simple flow through bioreactors (columns) consisting of forsterite and widely available, cheap organic carbon sources (wheat straw, bio-waste digestate of pig manure and biowaste, and manure compost), over six weeks.

LINK

#
Peer-reviewed Publications

E et al. (2024): Effect of waste leather dander biochar on soil organic carbon sequestration

Tao E, Cheng Ji, Ying Cheng, Shuyi Yang, Liang Chen, Daohan Wang, Yuanfei Wang, Yun Li IN: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 12, 3, 112633, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.112633

In order to determine the carbon sequestration content of waste leather dander biochar (W-BC) at different pyrolysis temperatures and its effect on soil organic carbon mineralization, waste leather dander (WLD) was prepared into BC-300, BC-400 and BC-500 at different temperatures (300, 400 and 500 °C).

LINK

#
Peer-reviewed Publications

Nature – Hasegawa et al. (2024): Careful selection of forest types in afforestation can increase carbon sequestration by 25% without compromising sustainability

Tomoko Hasegawa, Shinichiro Fujimori, Akihiko Ito, Kiyoshi Takahashi IN: Communications Earth & Environment, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01336-4

Here, the auhtors used an integrated assessment model to quantitatively demonstrate how the selection of forest type to use in afforestation could increase global carbon sequestration without compromising global food and land sustainability. Our findings indicate that if a carbon-intensive forest type is selected, afforestation would increase carbon sequestration by 25% compared to the level assuming the native forest type. At the same time, if implemented inappropriately at a large scale, afforestation would worsen the economy, food, and land systems due to decreased land efficiency in carbon removal compared to bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, leading to increased land expansion for carbon removal, higher food prices, and increased risk of hunger.

LINK

#
Peer-reviewed Publications

Tang & Qiu (2024): CO2-sequestering ability of lightweight concrete based on reactive magnesia cement and high-dosage biochar aggregate

Yihong Tang, Jishen Qiu IN: Journal of Cleaner Production, 451, 141922, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141922

In this study, lightweight concretes based on reactive magnesia cement (RMC) and high amount of biochar aggregates (up to 508 kg/m3, 61 vol% of the concrete) are developed. The new material demonstrates the ability to sequestrate massive amounts of CO2 from ambient air, and thus has the potential to be used for greener non-structural applications. The CO2 sequestration during curing under high-concentration CO2 (10 %), which is mainly via the RMC carbonation, is determined by acid digestion. The CO2 sequestration during service under ambient CO2 concentration (0.1%, or 1000 ppm), which is via the continued carbonation of RMC and the adsorption of biochar, is determined by monitoring the removal of CO2 in situ; particularly, the CO2 sequestrations by the RMC and the biochar are determined separately. The effect of varying biochar content and CO2 curing time on the overall CO2 sequestering ability of the concrete are studied, together with the variation of the local CO2 sequestration with carbonation depth in the concrete.

LINK

#