CO2 removal by injecting mown grass below the groundwater level. This is what Natuurmonumenten De Wieden did on Thursday and Friday, together with Veenmakers. It is an experiment to permanently store CO2 in an existing peat layer in the Barsbekerbinnenpolder, near Sint Jansklooster.
By injecting the mown grass, which comes from the Natuurmonumenten area, deep into the peat soil below the groundwater level, the decomposition process is halted because no oxygen reaches the plant material. This not only stops the decomposition process but also stores the carbon.
In addition to the fact that the experiment aims to capture CO2, it also explores whether the load-bearing capacity of the soil improves. Furthermore, the experiment serves as a way to see if injecting mown grass can help prevent further land subsidence.
“Natuurmonumenten collaborates annually with various initiators on different pilots for the use of mown grass from the area,” says Gidion Kok, area manager for De Wieden. “With this pilot, we hope to achieve a double win. We can inject part of the area’s own mown grass into the ground. Otherwise, this grass would be transported over a longer distance. This way, Natuurmonumenten can reduce the number of transport movements,” Kok continues. “Veenmakers is trying to create new peat with this innovative mown grass method. In this way, the parties are working together on a new climate solution and a circular future. The municipality of Steenwijkerland is also enthusiastic and supports the pilot.”
Next year, after the summer, the actual amount of CO2 captured will be assessed.