"Can Enhanced Chemical Weathering Save the Climate?"

Researchers from Mainz University have studied global warming events from millions of years ago to understand the potential of enhanced weathering as a solution to the current climate crisis. They found that during periods of intense weathering, such as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), the climate recovered more rapidly due to the reduction of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. However, during the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO), the presence of clay soil prevented effective weathering, resulting in a slower climate recovery. The researchers suggest that blending crushed rock into arable soil could enhance weathering and help bind atmospheric carbon dioxide, but caution that the formation of clay could hinder the process. Further research is needed to determine the viability of enhanced weathering as a climate solution.