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Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising pathways to meaningful and scalable carbon removal. At UNDO, the goal isn’t just to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere; it’s to do so transparently, verifiably, and with robust scientific backing. Central to achieving this goal is investment in state-of-the-art measurement technology, including Eosense Automated Soil Flux Chambers.
Understanding Eosense Chambers
The domes are advanced gas flux measurement chambers designed to precisely monitor the exchange of greenhouse gases (GHGs) between the land surface and the atmosphere. Specifically, these chambers measure three key gases: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), all potent greenhouse gases.
The chambers are connected directly to an infrared gas analyser, enabling accurate measurement of gas concentration changes within a sealed environment. When the dome lid is closed, the analyser records the rate of increase or decrease in gas levels. By measuring these shifts in concentration over time, the effect of ERW on greenhouse gas dynamics can be investigated. This method provides critical data on how managed agricultural systems interact with the atmosphere.
Why Eosense Chambers
Through a collaboration between UNDO, Newcastle University (NU), and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), automatic gas flux chambers have been installed at a pioneering research site consisting of nine Hydrologically Isolated Plots (HIPs) at Cockle Park Farm. The unique nature of these plots, featuring automatic recording of subsurface runoff and water sampling during rain events, provides an exceptional opportunity for detailed monitoring of the complete hydrological and biogeochemical cycle, including meteorology, nutrient cycling, and, crucially, carbon cycling.
While the site contains nine HIPs, domes are installed on three plots. These HIPs serve as a “deep science” site, allowing rigorous monitoring of the environmental conditions essential for verifying ERW’s real-world impact on carbon removal. As UNDO Research Lead, Kirstine Skov, explains:
“This trial is unique because the plots are hydrologically isolated. It’s one of a kind globally, and allows us to investigate all potential pools of ERW products within a constrained area, while still operating under the unpredictability of field conditions.”
Driving Forward Enhanced Rock Weathering Science
An exciting aspect of this scientific trial involves the potential of crushed silicate-rich feedstocks in reducing emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a greenhouse gas approximately 272 times stronger than CO₂. Previous studies have largely focused on nitrogen-intensive agricultural settings, suggesting significant reductions in N₂O emissions with ERW feedstocks.
Eosense chambers enable validation of these promising findings under realistic agricultural conditions. The trial includes one control plot and two ERW-treated plots with different application densities, allowing for direct comparison of gas fluxes. By precisely tracking greenhouse gas dynamics across these treatments, researchers can assess the specific effects of ERW application rates. This setup provides the controlled experimental conditions needed to isolate the impact of ERW on emissions, strengthening the case for its role in scalable, science-backed carbon removal.
Kirstine Skov, highlights the potential of the trial:
“What excites me most about this setup is that we’re aiming to capture the full picture of how ERW activities affect processes in an agricultural setting. It’s not only focusing on ERW MRV, but in this specific case also how ERW activities affect greenhouse gas fluxes in real farming conditions.”
Addressing Potential Risks
A key concern in carbon removal practices like ERW is understanding and managing potential unintended consequences. There have been questions around whether ERW activities might accelerate the mineralisation of soil organic carbon (SOC), potentially increasing carbon dioxide emissions rather than reducing them.
The precision offered by Eosense allows UNDO, CEH, and Newcastle University to closely monitor these dynamics. Gas flux measurements are not intended to capture the direct carbon dioxide uptake from ERW; this signal is too small relative to other soil-atmosphere exchange processes. Instead, the goal is to detect broader changes in greenhouse gas dynamics and provide evidence for responsible, science-based risk management.
Unique Capabilities of Eosense Chambers
While gas flux measurement isn’t new, the accuracy and versatility of Eosense Chambers represent a significant advancement.
Designed for durability and precision, the Eosense gas flux system includes a set of domes connected via a multiplexer, allowing sequential measurement of greenhouse gas fluxes across multiple plots. These robust, weatherproof chambers can operate in diverse field conditions, with a large volume and footprint that support accurate data collection across varied terrain and vegetation types. Additionally, the domes integrate seamlessly with different greenhouse gas analysers, ensuring both data quality and ease of analysis, critical for reliable carbon dioxide measurements.
How Data Is Collected and Analysed
Gas flux data is collected continuously; this high-frequency data provides detailed insights into gas flux dynamics over time.
The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) leads the gas flux measurements and data analysis. Newcastle University supports the wider research programme and collaborates closely with UNDO’s science team to ensure a rigorous and consistent methodology.
These gas flux measurements are combined with additional datasets from the HIPs, including porewater chemistry, runoff volumes, and plant tissue analysis. This integrated approach allows for comprehensive modelling of how ERW influences carbon and nutrient cycling at the field level.
What We’re Hoping to Learn from the Field Trial
This field trial brings together multiple lines of evidence to better understand how enhanced rock weathering interacts with farming systems. While the Eosense chambers are used to track changes in greenhouse gas fluxes at the soil surface, they represent just one part of a much wider investigation.
The trial aims to explore:
– How greenhouse gas emissions differ between untreated control plots and plots receiving different ERW application rates
– Whether ERW influences emissions of gases like nitrous oxide under varying conditions
– How these dynamics shift with weather, plant growth stages, and fertiliser application
– Precise tracking of weathering products and their proxies in soil porewater, runoff, and plant uptake.
By combining gas flux measurements with other indicators across the Hydrologically Isolated Plots, the research will help build a more complete picture of how ERW performs under field conditions. The goal is to support ongoing scientific learning, identify any unintended effects early, and inform the responsible development of ERW as a climate solution.
Accounting for Variability and Seasonality
Gas flux emissions naturally vary with plant growth, soil moisture, fertiliser application, and seasonal weather conditions. During a typical growing season, the highest CO₂ uptake tends to occur during peak vegetative growth.
Gas flux monitoring provides continuous measurements across these changing conditions, ensuring researchers can capture accurate, context-rich data throughout the year. This is vital for modelling ERW’s performance in real-world environments.
Funding and Project Duration
The gas flux trial is conducted through a strategic partnership between UNDO, Newcastle University, and CEH. Funding support includes contributions from commercial partners like Microsoft, reflecting a growing commitment to rigorously validated carbon removal.
The initial phase covers the 2025 growing season, serving as a baseline data collection period. With continued funding, the research is anticipated to extend for a minimum of three additional years, allowing deeper investigation and refinement of ERW impacts over time.
Wider Applications Beyond ERW
Gas flux chambers like Eosense domes are versatile instruments used extensively across various scientific disciplines, including:
– Evaluating the environmental impacts of agricultural practices on greenhouse gas emissions.
– Assessing ecosystem responses to climate change.
– Supporting research in wetland restoration and other nature-based climate solutions.
This broad application underscores the universal value and versatility of this technology in environmental and climate research.
Turning Measurement into Momentum
This trial represents a major step forward in precision measurement for carbon removal technologies like enhanced rock weathering. With continuous, high-quality data collection and cross-disciplinary analysis, this trial is helping to define what credible carbon removal looks like.
As ERW scales, the insights from this work will play a critical role in shaping the standards, safeguards, and confidence needed to deploy carbon removal at a global scale, and to do so responsibly. Positioning it as a scientifically sound pathway toward significant, reliable carbon removal.
Learn more about our science-backed approach to carbon removal
At UNDO, every tonne of carbon removed is rooted in rigorous measurement and verification. From field trials to full-scale deployment, we’re committed to scientific integrity, transparency, and lasting climate impact.
