Researchers investigate the Earth’s ’thermostat’

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Expedition with Bonn participation investigates carbon dioxide binding by weathering on the seafloor

ChristianMaerz_10.JPG März takes a look at a sediment sample. © @DEHEAT all ima
ChristianMaerz_10.JPG März takes a look at a sediment sample. © @DEHEAT all images in original size .
The Belgian research vessel RV Belgica is currently underway in the waters of Iceland. Two researchers from the University of Bonn are also on board. The goal of the mission is to better understand a natural thermostat of the Earth: the weathering of rocks at the bottom of the sea. This process binds carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It may also be possible to use it in the fight against climate change.

Even rocks don’t live forever: contact with air, water and molecules dissolved inside of them cause them to decompose over time. This process is known as weathering.

Rocks such as the Alps or the pebbles by the sea are silicates. ...
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