this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2026
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166
CO₂ scrubbing microbes discovered in underground laboratory (phys.org)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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I posted this in the science community but I think it could be relevant here too. If its not or I shouldn't have posted it twice let me know and I'll remove it! Curious to hear more opinions.

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[–] Cocodapuf@lemmy.world 7 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Researchers are combining the best attributes from each microbe to engineer enzymes that can convert CO2 from coal-fired power plant emissions into calcium carbonate—a mineral that can later be sold as a concrete additive or for other industrial purposes.

Gotta be honest, that's pretty slick. Making concrete is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to adding CO2 to the atmosphere. Concrete has a very high carbon footprint. If we can find a way to make concrete carbon neutral, or even carbon negative... That would be truly transformative.

[–] Nouvellalia@lemmy.world 3 points 6 hours ago

Unfortunately using calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from this process to make calcium oxide (CaO) for concrete would release whatever carbon dioxide (CO2) you sequestered in the process.

As you can see, to get CaO from CaCO3 you have to remove a C and two O's. or properly put, a CO2. Doing this would actually release more CO2 than you sequestered originally because to get that CaO you'd have to heat up the calcium carbonate to a few thousand degrees again, burning more coal or whatever to create the heat.