Environmental Studies and Forestry

Destabilization of carbon in tropical peatlands by enhanced weathering

A. Klemme, T. Rixen, et al.

Explore how enhanced weathering, a strategy to remove CO₂, could jeopardize tropical peatlands—important carbon sinks—by possibly flipping them into CO₂ sources. This intriguing research was conducted by Alexandra Klemme, Tim Rixen, Moritz Müller, Justus Notholt, and Thorsten Warneke.

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Playback language: English

Index

Abstract

Enhanced weathering (EW), a CO₂ removal strategy, accelerates atmospheric CO₂ uptake through rock powder dispersion. While tropical peatlands are suggested target areas due to their warm, humid conditions, EW's impact on peatland carbon stocks is poorly understood. This study estimates the response of CO₂ emissions from tropical peat soils, rivers, and coastal waters to EW-induced changes in soil acidity. Results indicate that land-based CO₂ re-emission reduces the potential carbon uptake by 18–60%, potentially offset entirely by coastal water emissions. EW may destabilize the natural carbon cycle in tropical peatlands, converting these important carbon sinks into sources.

Publisher

Communications Earth & Environment

Published On

Sep 17, 2022

Authors

Alexandra Klemme, Tim Rixen, Moritz Müller, Justus Notholt, Thorsten Warneke