Evaluating efficacy of novel green fertilisers using carbon capture technology

除一氧化二氮和甲烷外，二氧化碳也是导致气候变化的温室气体之一。缓解大气中高浓度二氧化碳的一种方法是将其捕获到陆地环境中。这项技术（被称为碳捕获）将被部署在这个项目中，由一家名为CCm Technologies的公司提供。大气中的二氧化碳将被捕获到有机废物中，如食物垃圾、农业残留物和水处理。捕获的二氧化碳与有机废物之间的反应将其转化为可再生的肥料来源。CCm将建立在现有的分析方法的基础上，通过尝试在其控制系统中自动存储这些数据，从碳的捕获点、排放废气点追踪到土壤中的最终存储目的地。碳数据将建立在现有的肥料原料可追溯性类别的基础上，以持续记录供应链中的碳。该项目的目的是评估CCm肥料在为作物提供养分方面的有效性。这可以通过一系列活动来实现。将进行田间规模试验，以确定这种肥料在提供养分以满足作物需求方面的有效性。在田间规模试验中，根系扫描仪还将用于确定根系网络和密度，作为地下碳储量的衡量标准。田间试验还将收集土壤样品，以确定作物的养分含量和产量。蚯蚓数量将作为土壤健康状况的一项指标。盆栽研究将告知新肥料配方的有效性及其对土壤养分和作物产量的影响，以补充田间规模研究。还将进行侵蚀研究，使用装满土壤并与肥料混合的托盘，以确定降雨强度对径流和渗滤液的影响。将测量径流和渗滤液中溶解的营养物质和碳，这将提供有关这些肥料对环境影响的信息。由于肥料可以被认为是一种更环保的选择，预计这些营养物质将在土壤中缓慢地提供给作物，对环境的影响最小。这项工作的结果不仅将解决将大气中的二氧化碳捕获到土壤中的问题，而且还将改善土壤健康和作物生产力。

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.