Research database

Despite growing interest and early applications, two fundamental scientific questions remain unresolved: How quickly can silicate rocks weather to release alkalinity in soils? And what is the fate of the released alkaline elements as they travel through the hydrological system — from soils through vadose zones, aquifers, and rivers — before potentially reaching the ocean? These uncertainties on alkalinity release and fate currently affect carbon sequestration estimates by orders of magnitude, making it unclear whether EW will be a pivotal or marginal solution in climate strategies. ALKFLOW aims to answer these questions by combining cutting-edge experimentation with advanced physics-based modeling. The project will conduct unprecedented large-scale experiments designed to overcome the limitations of small laboratory mesocosms and the unpredictability of open-field trials. These experiments will allow for controlled, realistic assessments of weathering rates under dynamic environmental conditions. In parallel, ALKFLOW will develop a novel, integrated hydro-biogeochemical modeling framework capable of simulating the flow of alkalinity across the aquatic continuum from land to sea. By quantifying how hydrological variability and biogeochemical processes affect alkalinity fluxes across various hydrological compartments, ALKFLOW will generate physically grounded, spatially explicit estimates of carbon removal via terrestrial water alkalinization. Building on these insights, ALKFLOW will produce regional and global scenarios of EW deployment, identifying optimal strategies for implementation and providing reliable estimates of CO2 sequestration potential via alkalinity flows. The project will deliver the data and modeling tools needed to inform evidence-based climate policy, guide responsible EW practices, support the growth of a sustainable carbon removal market, and help transform the agricultural sector by reducing its carbon footprint while increasing its productivity. Ultimately, ALKFLOW aspires to transform EW from a promising concept into a scientifically validated pillar of climate mitigation with wide-reaching environmental, agricultural, and societal impacts.