Effects of precipitation seasonality, irrigation, vegetation cycle and soil type on enhanced weathering – modeling of cropland case studies across four sites

Abstract. Enhanced weathering (EW) is a promising strategy for carbon sequestration, but several open questions remain regarding the actual rates of dissolution in conditions natural hydroclimatic variability comparison to laboratory experiments. In this context, models play pivotal role, as they allow exploring and predicting EW dynamics under different environmental conditions. Here comprehensive hydro-biogeochemical model has been applied four cropland case studies (i.e., Sicily Padan plain Italy California Iowa USA) characterized by rainfall seasonality, vegetation wheat corn Iowa), soil type explore their influence on rates. The results reveal that seasonality irrigation when are crucial determining sequestration dynamics, given effect hydrological fluxes, pH rate. rate was found be strongly affected also background flux, which one main factors controlling before olivine amendment. Regarding US studies, sequesters greatest amount CO2 if compared (4.20 2.21 kg ha−1 yr−1, respectively), same happens with respect (0.62 0.39 respectively). These low values suggest an in-depth analysis at global scale required assess efficacy sequestration.