India’s biogeochemical capacity to attain food security and remediate climate
Published in Earth & Environment
This study examines India's agrogeological resources in order to offer nutritious food while also mitigating climate change. Because of a lack of key minerals, many soils have low agricultural yields. Rock powder weathering benefits Indian soil productivity by helping to fertilise soils, lower atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and halt acidification of the Indian Ocean. The nutrient density of food is also increased, which improves health while minimising the demand for and cost of medical treatment. Basic and ultrabasic rock dusts combined with biochar are extensively accessible at Indian mining sites to improve soil and plant nutrition.
In order to supply wholesome food and slow down climate change, this paper covers India’s agrogeological resources. The soils are the result of the weathering of rocks with ages ranging from more than a billion years to the most recent Holocene. Because they are severely deficient in vital minerals, many soils have low agricultural production. In addition to helping to fertilise soils, reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and stop the acidification of the Indian Ocean, rock powder weathering and biochar have significant positive effects on the productivity of Indian soils. The nutrient density of food is also increased which improves health and lowers the demand for and cost of medical treatment. Remineralization may help to solve Indian soil issues including soil infertility and texture. To improve soil and plant nutrition, dusts of carbonate, basic, and ultrabasic rocks are readily available at mining sites in India combined with biochar. Adding different grain sizes to the soil helps improve the texture of the soil. Silicate and carbonate rock powders enhance soil structure by promoting the creation of soil organic matter and fostering the growth of advantageous microbial communities. These processes offer a low-cost method of remineralizing soils with important macro- and micronutrients. For each significant soil/crop/climate system, an optimized application of India’s rock powder resources must be determined through a national research and development programme. India’s capacity to adapt to the mounting challenges of population expansion and climate change would be significantly improved by the findings of this study programme.
Experienced Geologist with a demonstrated history of working in the field of sediment geochemical & stable isotope studies from land and ocean for understanding paleoclimate, contaminated sediments, chemical weathering. Future research interests lies in nature based solutions for climate change, carbon capture and remineralizing the earth for soil nutrients with low cost agrominerals and contribute in achieving few of the UN sustainable development goals for making Earth a better place to live.
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Environmental Geochemistry and Health
This journal publishes original research papers and review papers across the broad field of environmental geochemistry. It aims to establish and explain links between the natural or disturbed chemical composition of the earth’s surface and the health of the ecosystem, animals and people.
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