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I use an organic fertiliser that includes basalt rock dust but it's a byproduct of existing industrial processes
What is the embodied CO2 debt that specifically ground rock carries to the moment it hits the soil on a farm
& how much will need to be spread to make a measurable difference?
Beerling et al. 2024 -> Basalt spreading in the US corn belt
Application rate of 50 t ha−1 y−1 for 4 years gave a CDR potential of 10.5 ± 3.8 t CO2 ha−1.
(CO2 footprint of the basalt varies drastically based on source, energy source & allocation methods.)
Aye, I don't question the science of the CDR, I already do that with my own fertiliser
What matters is its own CO2 debt that it brings to the paddock and how that scales and that's where I get skeptical of its efficacy
EW projects today are using waste fines from basalt quarries - leftover dust from washing that is left to set in large hills on site. Trucking from quarry to farm involves some emissions, but < 5% of the carbon removed.
Eventually we will run out of waste fines (though we produce millions of tons per year in the US alone) and will need to quarry and crush specifically for enhanced weathering. But by than hopefully we can run quarries with a cleaner grid and electric trucks.
Same as here then.
So next question is what is the scale needed to make a difference and how fast CAN it be done with the will?
Mine is mixed with composted fish waste and trace elements as an actual fertiliser but does the plan call for that or just spreading straight fines?
