Ryan Nelson spreads tonnes of crushed basalt, nicknamed “magic dust,” across his farm near Culross, Fife.

Basalt is a volcanic rock found abundantly in quarries, and its “magic” lies in its ability to both capture carbon dioxide and promote crop growth through a process called enhanced rock weathering.

The basalt dust is provided for free by a company aiming to remove millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Ryan discovered the process after spotting an advert in a farming magazine seeking volunteers to test the rock on their land.

This triggered a memory of seeing basalt demonstrated on the BBC’s Beechgrove Garden about 20 years ago.

Basalt not only helps store carbon but also improves crop yields and grazing quality.

By accelerating the natural weathering process, basalt captures carbon faster.

Crushed basalt is spread across agricultural land, and when rain falls, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A chemical reaction between the rain and the basalt solidifies the carbon, effectively removing it from the air.

The company, Undo, provides the basalt and sends contractors to spread it on farms.

The process is funded by carbon credits, which large companies like British Airways, Microsoft, and McLaren Racing purchase to offset their greenhouse gas emissions.

XinRan Liu, director of science and research at Undo, calls this a transformative method in combating climate change.

Since basalt is a by-product of the aggregate industry and is widely available, it doesn’t need to be transported over long distances. This makes it a sustainable option for carbon capture.

Undo aims to spread enough basalt by next year to remove one million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, positioning it as a key player in carbon reduction efforts.

 

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