Researchers have completed the first field test of crushed olivine on a New York beach to see if the mineral can accelerate the ocean's natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Early results suggest that marine life recovered quickly after the application and that trace metals did not accumulate in sampled organisms. While the trial is a positive signal for enhanced rock weathering, challenges remain regarding the energy costs of mining and grinding the mineral, as well as the need for more precise measurement of actual carbon sequestration in open ocean environments.
