Dr Binoy Sarkar, the scientific lead for Phase Two of the Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) Project, was a key figure at the prestigious joint event International Conference on Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements and International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment in Busan, South Korea from 22 – 25 September 2025.
Session Co-chaired
Dr Sarkar and Professor Longbin Huang (University of Queensland) co-chaired the session:
‘Mineral Weathering and Metal(loid) Biogeochemistry: from Agricultural Land to Mining Pollution Management’.
Keynote Address
Dr Sarkar delivered a well received keynote address focused carbon sequestration and soil rejuvenation through enhanced rock weathering (ERW). His presentation highlighted the following points to an audience of over 150 international researchers:
The high attendance for the keynote underscored the growing global interest in ERW as a dual solution for climate change mitigation and soil health improvement.
Dr Binoy Sarkar, UniSA and Andrew Pedley, co-founder of Carbonaught, were invited by Agriculture Kangaroo Island and Grains Research & Development Corporation to speak to farmers and landholders at their Annual Update. The island’s agriculture landscape is diverse, with two thirds of farmers involved in sheep farming, alongside canola, wheat and vegetable cultivation, and seafood production.
Mr Pedley spoke about the broad commercial landscape surrounding ERW as well as the scalability within Australia. Dr Sarkar explained how enhanced rock weathering works and the agronomic and soil health benefits it provides. The session was followed by discussions and both presenters had an opportunity to interact with some interested growers based on the island.
