The microbiome of rock grains weathered in the soil environment.

Using a metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approach the study aims to investigate the differences and similarities between the microbial communities of basalt grains weathered in soil and its surrounding soil substrate. This will provide the foundation to characterise and harvest the full potential of the belowground microbiome to elevate rates of enhanced rock weathering (EW) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in agroecosystems, helping towards efforts to achieve negative C emission.