Mineral Carbonation in Soils and Its Connection with Climate Change

Dear Colleagues,

Ongoing anthropogenic activities lead to extreme climate change due to heat-trapping gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂). The atmospheric CO₂ concentration is rising, and as of July 1, 2022, its concentration in the atmosphere is over 418 ppm, as reported by the Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii. Therefore, this necessitates CO₂ mitigation actions to limit the global temperature rise below the 2 °C target as set by the Paris Agreement (COP26). In this context, the carbon dioxide sequestration and storage (CCUS) technology of enhanced weathering offers a promising CO₂ reduction strategy.  

Enhanced weathering includes the chemical route to sequester atmospheric CO₂ via mineral carbonation. Candidate materials for enhanced weathering include calcium- and magnesium-rich alkaline silicates, most notably those belonging to the olivine, pyroxene, and serpentine groups of minerals, given their reactivity with CO₂ and global availability. When these finely crushed silicate rocks are applied to the soil, the alkaline earth metal cations released during mineral weathering gradually react with carbonate anions and result in the formation of pedogenic carbonates, which, over time, and under the right conditions, can accumulate in the soil.

This Special Issue of the journal Minerals seeks contributions from researchers working on mineral carbonation and its impact on climate change. This Special Collection encourages submissions to this broad application scheme of mineral carbonation and welcomes contributions of research articles, including laboratory experiments, greenhouse experiments, as well as field trials. We also encourage submissions on modeling studies, such as predictions about the efficiency of mineral carbonation application to soil, impacts on soil functioning, risk assessment of the elements released by minerals during the carbonation process, its impact on plants, mineral carbonation under cropped conditions, and biological uptake of released elements by enhanced weathering. Review papers, concept papers, short communications, technical notes, commentaries, and opinions are also welcomed.

Dr. Fatima Haque
Dr. Shakirudeen A. Salaudeen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• mineral carbonation
• enhanced weathering
• soil carbonates
• climate change mitigation
• risk assessment
• plant growth