Exploring Synergies between Natural and Man-made Carbon Capture Systems – use of Industrially Captured Carbon in Agricultural Streams

Abstract

This research investigates an underexplored climate change mitigation strategy: soil carbon sequestration using organic and inorganic amendments. Soil serves as a major carbon reservoir, and its carbon sequestration potential can be enhanced by applying amendments. The research developed a dataset based on previous efforts on the use of involving fly ash, steel slag, biochar, and compost amendments, representing a variety of soil and environmental conditions. Followed by the partial least squares regression model to investigate the relationship between soil and amendment characteristics and their effects on carbon sequestration, and facilitate informed decision-making for the implementation of soil amendments in UAE’s desert soils. Results indicated that fly ash and biochar would perform well under desert sandy soil conditions, as biochar is estimated to increase soil carbon from 0.73 tons/ha to 1.34 tons/ha, and fly ash raises UAE’s soil carbon from 0.73 tons/ha to 1.29 tons/ha, indicating promising results to the UAE's climate targets On the other hand, the effectiveness of steel slag depends on its nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium content, while high potassium, pH, and long amendment durations hinder its impact on SCS. In the compost model, alkaline soil pH reduces SCS, while compost reduced bulk density capability improves it.

Date of Award	8 Dec 2024
Original language	American English
Supervisor	AHMED ALHAJAJ (Supervisor)