Research team
Expertise
During my Ph.D., I developed a strong foundation in plant physiology, bioinformatics, and molecular biology, acquiring proficiency in advanced techniques such as cloning, transgenomics, and fluorescence imaging. Driven by my interest in addressing climate change, my postdoctoral research focuses on carbon dioxide capture and removal technologies, through the use of biogeochemical processes. My work centers on the application of a novel carbon dioxide removal technology, enhanced silicate weathering, both in natural environments and controlled reactor conditions. By measuring dissolved and solid carbon, alkalinity production, and released cations, I aim to quantify the carbon capture potential of this process. Additionally, I investigate the broader impacts of silicate weathering on soil processes, plant health, organic carbon cycling, and the emissions of other greenhouse gases, particularly in agricultural systems. Furthermore, I explore the influence of organic and inorganic chemicals, such as organic acids and chelators, on the carbon capture efficiency of enhanced silicate weathering under flow-through reactor conditions.
Restoring degraded soils while sequestering carbon (RESTOC).
Abstract
RESTOC aims to test the use of three CO2 removal (CDR) techniques - enhanced weathering (EW) of silicates, biochar (BC), and soil carbon sequestration (SCS) - for restoring degraded soils. Besides sequestering CO2, these combined techniques are expected to enhance soil water retention, to provide a natural source of essential micro- and macro-nutrients, and to create a stable soil matrix for agriculture. In this project, we will conduct a mesocosm experiment to assess in detail the impact of fundamental aspects of the method on soil development, plant growth and plant nutrients. These results will be used in a geochemical model, providing key insights into the processes involved in soil C sequestration, as well as a quantification of the long-term CDR potential of the technology.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Vicca Sara
- Co-promoter: Niron Harun
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
CO-benefits and Risks of Enhanced Silicate weathering in agriculture (CORES).
Abstract
CO2 is a potent greenhouse gas and the primary cause of global climate change (GCC). Among others, GCC induces extreme weather events, producing an extensive impact on natural and agricultural systems. Climate change mitigation requires an urgent decrease in CO2 emissions together with active CO2 removal from the atmosphere. Enhanced silicate weathering (ESW) is a promising negative emission technology for CO2 removal but requires further research. ESW accelerates the natural process of weathering-based silicate to carbonate transformation, by increasing the surface area of silicate rocks. During the weathering process, CO2 is sequestered. Agricultural fields are ideal for ESW, due to ease of access, equipment availability and infrastructural capacity. In an agricultural setting, this application can be further beneficial as the silicate rocks like basalt contains elements that promote plant growth and soil health. In addition, GCC endangers crop production by inducing drought and salinity. Approximately 75% of the cropland is subjected to drought-related yield loss while salinity affects around 50-80% of global croplands. Moreover, impacts of drought and salinity are anticipated to rise in the future due to GCC. The negative effects of drought and salinity can be countered by ESW through (i) the preservation of crop yield and quality by the silicon (Si) mediated drought and salt stress tolerance in plants and (ii) the protection of soil microbiota by the stabilization of soil chemistry. Although ESW could contribute to climate change adaptation in agriculture, these promising co-benefits were never assessed, and further research is needed to evaluate this potential in different agriculturalsettings. In project CORES, I aim to examine the potential of ESW, with silicate mineral basalt, for the protection of yield and quality of major crop maize and associated soil microbiota under drought and saline conditions and establish the groundwork for future field trials.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Vicca Sara
- Fellow: Niron Harun
Research team(s)
- Plant and Ecosystems (PLECO) - Ecology in a time of change
- Biobased sustainability engineering (SUSTAIN)
Project type(s)
- Research Project