Use of Nanomaterials for Carbon Sequestration in Soil

[Geoengineering News]

https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-981-96-4489-6_36-1

Authors: Arathi Chandran, Ashok Kumar

Abstract

Sequestration of soil carbon is at the forefront of efforts to mitigate climate change and offers a natural, scalable, and multifaceted solution to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Globally, soil retains two to three times as much carbon as the atmosphere, and acts as the critical reservoir that can offset a significant portion of anthropogenic emissions. The widespread land conversion, intensive agriculture, and unsustainable management practices have reduced soil organic carbon (SOC) stores, released large amounts of carbon, and reduced the soil’s ability to act as a natural sink. The sequestration of carbon in soil not only mitigates greenhouse gas emissions but also delivers additional advantages like higher biodiversity, better water quality, and increased soil fertility. Despite its promise, conventional soil carbon sequestration faces notable challenges, including the finite capacity of soil to store carbon, the risk of reversibility, difficulties in monitoring and verification, and biophysical constraints such as carbon saturation and limited biomass input. Cutting-edge developments, particularly in nanotechnology, are revolutionizing the way of management of carbon in soil. Nanomaterials such as biochar nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, graphene, nano-silica, nano-zeolites, nano-lime, nano-ZnO, nano-Fe, nano-Al2O3, and lithium silicate nanoparticles possess distinct properties like high surface area, chemical stability, and adjustable surface functionalities that enhance soil aggregation, promote organo-mineral interactions, and stabilize carbon in recalcitrant forms. This chapter provides insight into how nanomaterials can enhance soil carbon sequestration, as well as how they improve the durability of carbon storage and contribute to soil health and sustainable agricultural productivity.

Source: Springer Nature Link