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This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

Could spreading rock dust across croplands remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

By Allegra Taylor
YES

Enhanced rock weathering could help offset carbon emissions from agriculture, contributing to reducing overall carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

Natural weathering of rocks absorbs about 0.3% of carbon emissions. Researchers think that pulverizing silicate rocks, like basalt, and spreading their dust across farmland could absorb additional emissions while perhaps improving crop health and yields. Rain, which is slightly acidic, reacts with rock and soil to form bicarbonate that eventually washes into the ocean, where carbon would be locked away for thousands of years.

The technology is in its early phases of testing. Research shows the process can work at a large scale--farmers already sometimes mix crushed limestone into soil to offset acidification from fertilizers. But the cost-effectiveness in various climates remains unknown.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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