Evaluating efficacy of novel green fertilisers using carbon capture technology

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Carbon dioxide is one the greenhouse gases in addition to nitrous oxide and methane, which is contributing towards climate change. One way to mitigate the high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is to capture it into the terrestrial environment. This technology (known as carbon capture) will be deployed in this project, provided by a company known as CCm Technologies. Carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere will be captured into organic waste material such as food waste, agriculture residues and water treatment. The reactions between the captured carbon dioxide into the organic waste converts it into a renewable source of fertiliser.CCm will build on existing analytical methods used to trace carbon at its capture point, in an emissions exhaust point, to its final storage destinations within the soil by attempting to automate the storage of this data within it's control system. The carbon data will build on existing traceability categories for fertiliser feedstocks to consistently log carbon within supply chains.The aim of this project is to evaluate how effective is the CCm fertiliser in terms of providing nutrients to crops. This can be achieved through a series of activities. There will be field scale trials to determine how effective is the fertiliser to provide nutrients to meet crop demands. In the field scale trials, root scanners will also be used to determine root network and density as a measure of below ground carbon stock. Soil samples will also be collected in the field experiments to determine nutrient content and yield of crops. Earthworm counts will be carried out to as an indication of soil health. Pot studies will inform how effective are new formulations of fertilisers and its impact on soil nutrient and crop yield to complement the field scale studies. There will also be erosion studies using trays packed with soil and mixed in with fertiliser formulations to determine effect of rainfall intensity on runoff and leachate. The runoff and leachate will be measured for dissolved nutrients and carbon which will provide information on impact of these fertilisers to the environment. Since the fertilisers can be considered a greener option, the nutrients are expected to be slowly available in the soil to crops with minimal impact to the environment. The outcome of this work will not only tackle in terms of capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide into the soil but also improve soil health and crop productivity.