# Scientists figured out how to use engineered bacteria to dissolve rocks faster and capture carbon dioxide

Source: [Earth.com](https://www.earth.com/environment/scientists-figured-out-how-to-use-engineered-bacteria-to-dissolve-rocks-faster-and-capture-carbon-dioxide/) · 2026-11-08 · Earth & Climate
Page: https://themorning.science/story/scientists-figured-out-how-to-use-engineered-bacteria-to-dissolve-rocks-faster-a-5e7d23a56634afba
Kind: research · Impact: low

## In 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.

## Coverage

- [Scientists figured out how to use engineered bacteria to dissolve rocks faster and capture carbon dioxide](https://www.earth.com/environment/scientists-figured-out-how-to-use-engineered-bacteria-to-dissolve-rocks-faster-and-capture-carbon-dioxide/) — Earth.com, 2026-11-08

Tags: carbon capture, rock weathering, engineered bacteria, synthetic biology, climate

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Brief generated by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the reporting listed under Coverage. Headlines belong to their publishers. The Morning Science – https://themorning.science