Evaluation of technologies for sequestering carbon in agricultural land by using organic filter underdrains

Abstract

Technology for storing carbon in the subsoil of agricultural land using organic filter materials in underdrains was evaluated as an activity for sequestering CO2 to mitigate global warming. First, the quantity of carbon remaining in wood chips and rice husks in underdrains was determined over 11 years after construction. Moreover, the quantity of CO2 emissions from the construction of two underdrain types was calculated. Then, a survey was conducted to investigate the effect on greenhouse gas emissions of the filter material. The results indicate that greenhouse gas emissions would not increase. The quantity of storage carbon in the wood chip filter material of underdrains during their 15-year service life was estimated to be 6.76 tCO2eq ha−1. Rice husks, in contrast, were found ineffective in storing carbon. Therefore, the selection of the filter material for underdrains is important. The value of storage carbon in the wood chip filter material is similar to the amount of carbon sequestered by no-till farming, which is now being implemented as a global warming countermeasure based on soil management in agricultural land.