Research
Scientists figured out how to use engineered bacteria to dissolve rocks faster and capture carbon dioxide
Earth.com · By Luis Arrais ·
The Brief
- Rock weathering removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but normally takes thousands of years.
- Iron in rock rusts and coats the surface, slowing the process down.
- A team led by Harvard reportedly used engineered bacteria to dissolve rocks faster.
Why it matters
If engineered bacteria can speed up natural rock weathering, it could make carbon dioxide removal faster than the natural process alone, which matters for climate work.
- #carbon capture
- #rock weathering
- #engineered bacteria
- #synthetic biology
- #climate
As rock slowly wears away, it releases compounds that trap carbon dioxide and take it out of the atmosphere. The trouble is speed. Left alone, the process takes thousands of years, partly because iron in the rock turns to rust and coats the surface. Now, a team led by Harvard…