An outstanding paper by former Master's student Zivi Schaffer on enhanced rock weathering (ERW) of kimberlite residues. Zivi conducted field experiments to evaluate the potential of kimberlite residues from diamond mines for use in ERW, demonstrating that these residues are similar to basalt waste fines from quarries. A combination of soil pore water chemical data and a water balance was used to quantify carbon dioxide removal rates. Furthermore, she proportioned these rates into silicate and carbonate weathering components, showing that carbonate weathering dominated the CDR. Lastly, stable carbon isotope data were used to demonstrate that sequestered CO2 is sourced from microbial respiration rather than the atmosphere; hence, ERW is more of a CO2 avoidance technology than a CO2 removal technology.
Congratulations, Zivi, on your first paper; it's a great one!
A conceptual diagram illustrating key processes of enhanced rock weathering in soils, including carbonate and silicate weathering in the amendment and soil, and the dominance of microbial respiration.