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Researchers are envisioning burying dead wood to trap carbon. This method could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by slowing down wood decomposition.
Researchers claim that the low-permeability clayey soil contributed to the remarkable preservation of this ancient log.
Credit: Mark Sherwood.
The analysis of a 3,775-year-old stump revealed that this wood, from an Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), had lost very little carbon, proving the effectiveness of prolonged preservation. The low-permeability clay soils likely prevented decomposition by fungi and microorganisms.
This discovery strengthens the idea of massively storing wood in clay soils to limit carbon emissions. Researchers estimate that this technique could offset up to a third of global fossil fuel emissions.
The principle of "wood vaulting" is based on trees' ability to absorb carbon dioxide during their lifetime. By burying them under controlled conditions, the stored carbon is prevented from being released into the atmosphere.
Had this ancient wood been left on the surface, it would have decomposed quickly. But the specific burial conditions preserved an almost intact cellular structure, according to a study published in Science.
Climate scientist Ning Zeng, who pioneered this study, explains that this method could be applied on a large scale using common clay soils. Once the wood is buried, the land could even be reused.
Though still experimental, this method opens up new possibilities in the fight against climate change. Experts continue to explore this promising avenue, convinced that "wood vaulting" could be a key solution.