Data accuracy is at the core of our work, and our Field Monitoring Station (FMS) plays a critical role in ensuring reliable, science-backed measurements for Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW). Our Data Collection Framework and Field Monitoring Station work together to collect real-time environmental data. This allows us to track how basalt rock powder interacts with soil, water, and air.
Data for crediting is derived from the infield sample points, dispersed across a deployment site. But the FMS is a place we can monitor more intensively for research purposes. As Dr. Matthew Clarkson, Head of Carbon at InPlanet explains:
“We monitor the solid phases, the liquid phases, the gases and the vegetation all together. What makes this unique is that it allows us to take a truly comprehensive look at what happens when we introduce basalt rock powder into agricultural fields.
We are not just relying on assumptions or models; we are collecting tangible data that tells us exactly how this process works in the soil, how minerals break down, how much carbon is sequestered, and what happens to any excess materials.
It used to be unique to InPlanet, but others have started adopting similar stations because they see the value in this level of detailed analysis.”
How our field monitoring station works
Our FMS was built on site at one of our deployments, at a 1,000-hectare sugarcane plantation. The FMS contains multiple microplots to compare treatments and controls. According to Dr. Clarkson:
“A control area means that we don’t apply any rock powder, whereas the treatment is where we apply the rock powder. But the farmer applies fertilizers across the entire site. Their normal business practice would be applied consistently across all areas. If you come from a carbon market perspective, you would describe it as a counterfactual. From a science perspective, we call it a control.”
This setup allows us to compare soil and environmental changes between plots that received basalt rock powder applications and those that did not. By doing so, we ensure that the captured data directly reflects the impact of our intervention. Dr Clarkson goes on to share:
“This is a sugarcane plantation, and the goal here was to revitalize those degraded soils and remove CO₂. One of the most important aspects of this project is that we are not just assuming the benefits of rock powder application; we are proving them. We set up controlled monitoring stations where we can compare soil conditions in areas treated with rock powder versus areas left untreated.
This allows us to pinpoint exactly what changes are occurring, how much carbon is being removed, and how the overall soil health is improving. The data that InPlanet’s team is collecting is the foundation of everything we do. This ensures that we can quantify and validate the impact of Enhanced Rock Weathering with complete scientific integrity.
Real-world data collection and carbon removal quantification
The FMS stations continuously collect data to measure:
- How much of the rock powder dissolves and releases key minerals into the soil
Tracking dissolution rates helps determine how effectively minerals such as calcium and magnesium are released, influencing soil chemistry and nutrient availability for plant growth.
- The extent to which these minerals contribute to carbon dioxide removal
By monitoring the chemical reactions between dissolved minerals and atmospheric CO₂, we assess the efficiency of enhanced weathering in capturing and storing carbon.
- The movement of dissolved carbon into rivers and, eventually, the ocean
Understanding how carbon travels through water systems provides insight into long-term sequestration pathways and the global impact of enhanced weathering on the carbon cycle.
Rather than relying on assumptions, we focus on real-world data to quantify our carbon removal efforts. The FMS captures data on soil composition, liquid phase dynamics, gas flux, and vegetation responses. By monitoring these phases, we can determine the amount of CO₂ sequestered in the soil. Additionally, we can track where any losses occur. Dr. Clarkson shares:
“We have losses due to soil, vegetation, and strong acids. Carbon dioxide removal is not just a straightforward process where we apply rock powder and expect instant results. We have to factor in multiple variables, such as how much of the carbon captured remains in the soil over time, how much may be lost to plant uptake.
It’s a complex process, but this is why the Field Monitoring Station is essential. It provides the data needed to truly understand and optimize Enhanced Rock Weathering for long-term success.”
Overcoming challenges in data accuracy
Ensuring precise measurements is a continuous challenge, especially given natural variations in soil composition and external influences like fertilizer use. Our team carefully accounts for these variables, refining the methodology to minimize uncertainty. Dr. Junyao Kang, another leading scientist on the project, notes:
“We always want to make a conservative estimate. When you’re dealing with natural environments, it’s impossible to eliminate all uncertainties, but what we can do is take a rigorous, data-driven approach to minimize them as much as possible.
We follow strict sampling protocols and statistical analyses to ensure that our reported carbon removal figures are as accurate and verifiable as possible. By using a rigorous sampling process, we can confidently verify carbon credits without overestimating our impact.
If anything, we tend to be conservative in our estimates, making sure that any figures we report can stand up to the highest level of scrutiny.”
One key finding was the presence of unexpected elements in the soil, likely introduced through fertilizers. This required additional corrections to ensure that our rock powder was the primary driver of observed changes in carbon sequestration. Dr. Kang elaborates:
“The presence of fertilizers in the soil added another layer of complexity to our calculations. These kinds of challenges are exactly why high-quality data collection is so important. We need to be absolutely certain that our numbers reflect the true impact of our work.”
Our team had to adjust for the fact that some of the mineral content we were detecting was coming from sources other than the basalt rock powder. This meant re-evaluating our data and refining our methodology to ensure that our results were as precise as possible.
What does success look like?
The success of the FMS highlights its transformative role in scaling ERW as a verifiable, certified carbon removal strategy. With each deployment, we refine methodologies, enhance measurement precision, and strengthen carbon credit verification.
We take a conservative approach to ensure that every verified credit meets the highest scrutiny. As we collect more field data, improve monitoring technology, and expand sample sizes, our confidence in the results will grow. Over time, we expect to validate even greater carbon removal while upholding scientific rigor and transparency.
This is just the beginning. Our commitment remains clear: drive carbon removal innovation, ensure every credit issued is backed by rigorous science, and deliver a verifiable impact that withstands scrutiny.
