Publication
Title
Organic carbon source controlled microbial olivine dissolution in small-scale flow-through bioreactors, for CO₂ removal
Author
Abstract
The development of carbon dioxide removal methods, coupled with decreased CO2 emissions, is fundamental to achieving the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement limiting global warming to 1.5 °C. Here we are investigating the importance of the organic carbon feedstock to support silicate mineral weathering in small-scale flow through bioreactors and subsequent CO2 sequestration. Here, we combine two bacteria and two fungi, widely reported for their weathering potential, in simple flow through bioreactors (columns) consisting of forsterite and widely available, cheap organic carbon sources (wheat straw, bio-waste digestate of pig manure and biowaste, and manure compost), over six weeks. Compared to their corresponding abiotic controls, the inoculated straw and digestate columns release more total alkalinity (~2 times more) and produce greater dissolved and solid inorganic carbon (29% for straw and 13% for digestate), suggesting an increase in CO2 sequestration because of bio-enhanced silicate weathering. Microbial biomass is higher in the straw columns compared to the digestate and manure compost columns, with a phospholipid fatty acid derived total microbial biomass 10 x greater than the other biotic columns. Scanning Electron Microscopy imaging shows the most extensive colonisation and biofilm formation on the mineral surfaces in the straw columns. The biotic straw and digestate columns sequester 50 and 14 mg C more than their abiotic controls respectively, while there is no difference in the manure columns. The selection of organic carbon sources to support microbial communities in the flow through bioreactors controls the silicate weathering rates and CO2 sequestration.
Language
English
Source (journal)
npj Materials Degradation / University of Science and Technology Beijing
Publication
Nature Publishing Group , 2024
ISSN
2397-2106
DOI
10.1038/S41529-024-00454-W
Volume/pages
8 :1 (2024) , p. 1-13
Article Reference
34
ISI
001197259600001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Super Bio-Accelerated Mineral weathering (BAM): a new climate risk hedging reactor technology.
Super Bio-Accelerated Mineral weathering: a new climate risk hedging reactor technology (BAM).
Super Bio-Accelerated Mineral weathering: a new climate risk hedging reactor technology (BAM)
IMEC-Super Bio-Accelerated Mineral weathering: a new climate risk hedging reactor technology (BAM).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 03.04.2024
Last edited 10.06.2024
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