Engineering the Soil Carbon Sink (ENGSCS)

summary

Soils are the greatest land-based reservoir for carbon on the planet, containing three times as much carbon as do plants. Soil-atmosphere interactions exchange a third more CO₂ with the atmosphere than do interactions between the atmosphere and the ocean. Soil thus plays a very significant role in controlling atmospheric CO₂ levels. In this context, we have an opportunity to engineer soil systems so that the amount of CO₂ that they take up is maximised. This is a form of carbon abatement that is inexpensive; because it is passive (energy inputs are minimised once constructed). It is directly analogous to the use of constructed wetlands for the treatment of polluted waters. Our aim is to assess the feasibility of this process for widespread application in the UK, and to assess the associated costs and benefits.

When we think of soil carbon in the UK, we often think of hill peat like these eroding peats in Derbyshire.  Our research focuses on how to increase soil carbon, in ways that are usually invisible.

carbon capture gardens

We are working at Newcastle Science Central to combine carbon capture with improved ecosystem services at a city-centre site. Our Carbon Capture Gardens were launched on 24 March 2011. For more information, go to current research.

urban carbon capture

Urban soils can capture very large amounts (up to 300 T C/ha) of atmospheric CO2 and store this in stable mineral forms. Between now and July 2012, we will be holding a number of events and consultations, to make sure that our work is well informed by the opinions of practitioners. For more information go to urban carbon capture.