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Environment

Carbon removal schemes on farms could change Earth’s reflectivity

Carbon removal schemes involving enhanced rock weathering should consider whether the rocks they use are lighter or darker than the soil, say researchers

By Madeleine Cuff

24 January 2025

Crushed rocks are spread on fields to absorb carbon dioxide from the air

SO-Photography/Alamy

Using crushed rock dust to speed up the rate at which soils absorb carbon dioxide could also affect the climate by making Earth’s surface reflect more or less of the sun’s radiation.

Enhanced rock weathering (ERW), as it is known, is rapidly growing around the world as scientists and businesses hunt for ways to capture carbon from the atmosphere.

It involves sprinkling crushed volcanic rock, such as basalt, onto soils

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