Carbon sink increasing system and regulation method based on coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment

Abstract

The application provides a carbon sink increasing system and a regulation method based on mineral slow release and root system microenvironment coupling, which comprises a buoyancy bearing base, a root system intervention assembly, a mineral reaction unit, a depth adjusting mechanism and a water body monitoring module. The buoyancy bearing base is used for providing overall buoyancy, and a rigid porous isolation sleeve is arranged at the bottom of the buoyancy bearing base. The water body monitoring module is used for monitoring water body parameters. According to the water body parameter information, the depth adjusting mechanism is controlled to drive the mineral reaction unit to switch at different height positions, so that long-acting and safe carbon sink increasing effect is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine negative emission technology, specifically to a carbon sequestration system and regulation method based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment. Background Technology

[0002] The ocean is the largest active carbon reservoir on Earth. Enhancing the absorption capacity of water bodies for atmospheric carbon dioxide through Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is one of the core negative emission technologies for achieving global climate governance and carbon neutrality goals. Currently, the engineering exploration of OAE technology mainly relies on large-scale seeding of alkaline mineral powders from ships in open sea areas or on laying gravel on high-energy beaches along the coast for natural weathering. However, due to complex geochemical and ocean dynamic mechanisms, existing mainstream technologies face four major bottlenecks in engineering implementation: 1. Low mineral dissolution efficiency and high processing costs: Due to the high pH value of natural water bodies, the mineral dissolution rate is relatively slow. Directly added mineral particles tend to sink to the bottom sediment before fully dissolving, and the dissolution efficiency further decreases after being covered by the bottom sediment. To improve reaction efficiency, the minerals need to be ground into powder with a particle size of tens of micrometers, but this process is energy-intensive and costly, significantly increasing the economic burden of technology implementation.

[0003] 2. Large-scale deployment is difficult and logistics costs are high: To achieve the expected alkalization effect, a large amount of alkaline minerals need to be uniformly and continuously deployed over a wide area of ​​water. This involves complex logistics and engineering operations, and the energy consumption and carbon emissions generated throughout its life cycle may largely offset the expected carbon sink benefits.

[0004] 3. Uncontrollable ecological and environmental risks: The rapid dissolution of alkaline minerals may create localized chemical hotspots near the injection point, causing drastic fluctuations in water pH and alkalinity within a short period, impacting aquatic organisms. Simultaneously, the nutrients and metal ions released during mineral dissolution may also affect the aquatic community structure and primary productivity, posing potential ecological risks.

[0005] 4. Challenges in Monitoring and Verifying Carbon Sequestration Effects: Establishing a reliable monitoring, reporting, and verification system in vast and dynamically changing open water bodies presents significant technical challenges. Mineral dissolution efficiency is difficult to quantify precisely, and anthropogenically introduced alkalinity signals are easily diluted or masked by natural water body background variability. Furthermore, the long period required for carbon dioxide exchange between water and the atmosphere to reach rebalancing makes accurately assessing the additional carbon sequestration induced by alkalinity enhancement technologies particularly difficult within a limited timeframe.

[0006] On the other hand, in the traditional field of aquatic environment ecological restoration, although there are aquatic plant suspension culture devices or gradually sinking planting beds, their depth adjustment and buoyancy structures only serve the purely physical growth needs of plants to obtain light or adapt to the substrate. These devices are essentially passive biophysical support platforms, lacking the functional design to geochemically intervene in the water body's carbonate balance system, and are unable to cross boundaries to solve the core engineering pain points of alkaline minerals being easily passivated, buried, and causing environmental fluctuations in complex water bodies. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address these issues, this invention provides a carbon sequestration system and regulation method based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment. This invention breaks through the traditional physical support logic, utilizing root curtains and rigid structures to construct a microenvironment, and introducing a triple-depth regulation model based on temporal and chemical kinetics to achieve long-term and safe carbon sequestration.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows: A carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment includes: A buoyancy support base for providing overall buoyancy includes a buoyancy frame with a central through channel. The buoyancy frame has a central through channel and a plurality of planting holes extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the buoyancy frame are provided around the central through channel. A rigid porous isolation sleeve is fixedly connected to the bottom of the buoyancy frame. The rigid porous isolation sleeve communicates with the central through channel and is located below it. A root intervention component, nested in the planting hole, has a guide opening at its bottom; the root intervention component is configured to guide the roots of the aquatic plant planted inside through the guide opening and extend downward to interweave and form a root-covered area outside the sidewall of the rigid porous isolation sleeve. The mineral reaction unit includes a suspended net cage located below the buoyancy frame, the suspended net cage being loaded with weatherable alkaline minerals. A depth adjustment mechanism is installed on the buoyancy frame and drives the suspended net cage to move up and down between the interior of the central through channel, the interior of the rigid porous isolation sleeve, and the deep water area located below the rigid porous isolation sleeve. The water monitoring module, installed on the buoyancy frame, includes a sensor array and a central control unit. The sensor array includes at least a pH sensor and a flow rate sensor. The output of the sensor array is connected to the central control unit, which is connected to the depth adjustment mechanism.

[0009] Furthermore, multiple planting holes are located at the top of the buoyancy frame, and the side of the buoyancy frame is provided with a splicing part for splicing with adjacent buoyancy frames.

[0010] Furthermore, the buoyancy frame includes a hollow support frame and closed-cell foamed buoyancy material filled into the support frame; the support frame is a rigid plastic frame.

[0011] Furthermore, the root intervention component is an independent and detachable plant basket, the side wall of which is provided with permeable holes for fluid exchange, and the guide opening is located at the bottom of the plant basket.

[0012] Furthermore, the depth adjustment mechanism includes an automatic winch assembly driven by a waterproof motor, a guide pulley, and a suspension cable; the automatic winch assembly is mounted on the buoyancy frame, the guide pulley is fixedly set on the inner wall of the central through channel and extends into the interior of the central through channel, the suspension cable is wound around the automatic winch assembly, and the end of the suspension cable passes around the guide pulley and connects to the suspended net cage.

[0013] Furthermore, the rigid porous isolation sleeve is provided with an anti-biofouling coating on at least its inner wall surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the upper opening of the central through-channel of the buoyancy frame extends inward to form a support platform, such that the central through-channel forms an upper opening channel at the top and a receiving channel below the upper opening channel, the diameter of the upper opening channel being smaller than that of the receiving channel.

[0015] Furthermore, the top of the suspended mesh cage is provided with a mineral feeding port and a quick-release door that fits at the mineral feeding port, and the bottom of the suspended mesh cage is provided with a discharge door.

[0016] Furthermore, the suspended mesh cage is a stainless steel mesh cage or a corrosion-resistant polymer woven mesh; the outside of the suspended mesh cage is covered with a small-aperture sieve.

[0017] Furthermore, the buoyancy frame is also provided with a vertically extending monitoring mounting position, in which the sensor array is installed.

[0018] Furthermore, the sensor array also includes a conductivity sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor, or a turbidity sensor; the sensor probes of the sensor array extend toward the bottom of the buoyancy frame.

[0019] Furthermore, a solar panel and a battery are also installed on the top surface of the buoyancy frame. The solar panel is connected to the battery, which powers the depth adjustment mechanism and the water monitoring module.

[0020] Furthermore, the central control unit also establishes a communication connection with a remote terminal via a wireless communication module.

[0021] A carbon sequestration regulation method based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment provides the aforementioned carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment, and employs the following steps: Setting benchmarks and cycles: Set the upper limit of pH ecological safety, the first flow velocity safety threshold, the second flow velocity safety threshold, and the long-term service period for the target water area; wherein, the second flow velocity safety threshold is higher than the first flow velocity safety threshold; Lower layer flushing and release steps: When the flow rate monitored by the sensor array is lower than the first flow rate safety threshold and the pH value monitored by the sensor array is lower than the set pH ecological safety upper limit, the central control unit sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism, which lowers the suspended net cage into the active flow field of the deep water, and uses natural water flow to flush the alkaline minerals in the suspended net cage, so as to physically strip, dissolve and release the alkalinity of the alkaline minerals. Mid-layer biochemical activation and risk avoidance steps: When the suspended net cage stays in deep water for a preset long-term service period or when the sensor array detects that the water flow velocity of the target water body reaches the first flow velocity safety threshold and is lower than the second flow velocity safety threshold, the central control unit sends a command to the depth adjustment mechanism to lift the suspended net cage to the first lifting height, so that it stays inside the rigid porous isolation sleeve; the rigid porous isolation sleeve and the external root covering area slow down the strong convective exchange between the internal area of ​​the rigid porous isolation sleeve and the external water body; the suspended net cage is confined in the relatively static rigid porous isolation sleeve, and the organic acids secreted by the roots of aquatic plants in the root intervention component penetrate into the rigid porous isolation sleeve to provide a ligand environment, and through coordination and complexation, synergistically delay the densification process of the amorphous silica passivation layer on the surface of the alkaline mineral; Upper-level environmental safety isolation steps: When the sensor array monitors the pH value of the target water body to reach the set pH ecological safety upper limit, or when the monitored flow rate of the target water body reaches the set second flow rate safety threshold, the central control unit sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism, which lifts the suspended net cage to the second lifting height, so that it enters the central through-channel of the buoyancy frame.

[0022] Furthermore, in the mid-layer biochemical activation and risk avoidance steps, after the suspended net cage has been residing inside the rigid porous isolation sleeve for a preset long-term service period and the sensor array detects that the water flow velocity of the target water body is lower than the first flow velocity safety threshold, the central control unit sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism, which lowers the suspended net cage back into the active flow field of the deep water area to restore the lower layer flushing and release steps.

[0023] Furthermore, in the upper environmental safety isolation step, when the pH value of the target water body monitored by the sensor array is lower than the set pH ecological safety upper limit, and the flow rate of the target water body is lower than the first flow rate safety threshold, the central control unit sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism, which lowers the suspended cage to the height layer it was at before being raised to the second lifting height.

[0024] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. Solving the problem of mineral settling failure and achieving long-term physicochemical synergistic dissolution: By suspending the mineral reaction unit in water, the problem of minerals easily sinking into the bottom mud and becoming buried and ineffective in the traditional throwing mode is effectively avoided, and the water-rock reaction time is significantly extended. At the same time, it breaks through the limitations of single physical water mass transfer. In the middle layer mode, the suspended net cage resides inside the rigid porous isolation sleeve. The organic acid that permeates into the rigid porous isolation sleeve through plant roots constructs a local ligand microenvironment, delaying the densification of the passivation layer on the mineral surface and realizing the long-term accumulation of alkaline minerals.

[0025] 2. Establish a deep regulation model based on composite feedback to enhance environmental and structural safety: This model combines real-time water body monitoring with a composite control logic of "time-sequence scheduling (preset long-term service period) + hydrological trends + extreme event shutdown (flow velocity monitored by flow velocity sensors)." The system can dynamically adjust the mineral immersion depth based on macroscopic water quality feedback, controlling the spatial distribution of alkalinity release. When the monitored pH approaches the ecological safety red line or encounters extreme strong currents, the suspended net cage can be forcibly raised into the central through-channel for dehydration and isolation, preventing drastic local pH fluctuations and mechanical damage at the source, thus constructing a reliable dual safety line of ecology and engineering.

[0026] 3. Construct a plant-mineral synergistic carbon sequestration system to achieve mutual promotion between geochemical reactions and biological processes: This involves synergistically promoting biological carbon sequestration and inorganic carbon sink enhancement. On one hand, the organic acid ligands secreted by plant roots in root-intervention components provide the chemical impetus for mineral depassivation. On the other hand, the long-term release of alkalinity and micronutrients from minerals can effectively buffer the acidification pressure of nearshore acidic waters (such as wastewater treatment plant effluent discharge areas), creating a suitable neutral to slightly alkaline growth environment for aquatic plants. This, in turn, promotes the primary productivity and photosynthetic carbon sequestration efficiency of plants, resulting in synergistic effects.

[0027] 4. Constructing a cage-like buffer structure to reduce engineering deployment and maintenance costs: Introducing a rigid, porous isolation sleeve, while resisting radial pressure from the root system and reducing the risk of mechanical jamming, it also forms a fluid buffer zone together with the surrounding root system. Leveraging the convenient deployment characteristics of the buoyancy frame in nearshore and lake waters, the system significantly reduces the costs of ship logistics and high-frequency engineering operations required for marine alkalization.

[0028] 5. Achieving Monitorable and Verifiable Carbon Sequestration Effects: The integrated water monitoring module can acquire macroscopically representative water quality parameters in real time, providing reliable basic data support for quantifying carbon sequestration flux and helping to solve the problem of difficulties in constructing an open water carbon sequestration monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system. Simultaneously, this invention, based on the traditional functions of floating island landscaping and water purification, endows it with the potential for carbon credit data collection. By deploying this system in multiple locations within target water areas, a demonstration base combining online monitoring and carbon sequestration experimental platform functions can be formed, improving the overall economic benefits of aquatic ecological restoration projects. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 The figure shown is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment in the embodiment, viewed from a top angle. Figure 2 The figure shown is a top view of the carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment in the embodiment; Figure 3 The figure shown is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment in the embodiment, viewed from a low angle. Figure 4 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the mineral reaction unit in the embodiment.

[0030] Figure label: 1-Buoyancy frame; 11-Central through-channel; 12-Plant basket mounting position; 13-Solar panel; 15-Rigid porous isolation sleeve; 2-Plant basket; 21-Root system of aquatic plants; 3-Suspended wire mesh cage; 31-Mineral feed port; 32-Quick-release door; 33-Alkaline mineral; 34-Discharge valve; 4-Depth adjustment mechanism; 41-Automatic winch assembly; 42-Guide pulley; 43-Suspension cable; 5-Water monitoring module; 51-Central control unit; 52-Sensor array; 53-Monitoring installation position. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To further illustrate the various embodiments, the present invention provides accompanying drawings. These drawings are part of the disclosure of the present invention, primarily used to illustrate the embodiments and to explain the operating principles of the embodiments in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification. With reference to these drawings, those skilled in the art should be able to understand other possible implementations and the advantages of the present invention. Components in the drawings are not drawn to scale, and similar component symbols are generally used to represent similar components.

[0032] In the description of this invention, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "rear," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0033] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment, including: a buoyancy bearing base, a root intervention component, a mineral reaction unit, a depth adjustment mechanism 4, and a water monitoring module 5.

[0035] The buoyancy support base is used to provide overall buoyancy. The buoyancy support base includes a buoyancy frame 1 with a central through-channel 11. The buoyancy frame 1 is the core component providing buoyancy. The central through-channel 11 is located in the middle of the buoyancy frame 1, meaning it runs vertically through the buoyancy frame 1. The buoyancy frame 1 has multiple planting holes 12 extending to the bottom of the buoyancy frame 1 around the central through-channel 11. In this embodiment, the multiple planting holes 12 are all located at the top of the buoyancy frame 1 and extend downwards to the bottom of the buoyancy frame 1. Simultaneously, the bottom of the buoyancy frame 1 is provided with a rigid porous isolation sleeve 15. Specifically, the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 refers to a rigid cylindrical structure with multiple through holes, which can be made of corrosion-resistant hard plastic or stainless steel; preferably, it is a lightweight material resistant to seawater corrosion. The rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 is connected to the central through channel 11. In this embodiment, the diameter of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 is slightly larger than the diameter of the central through channel 11. The upper end of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 is fixed to the outer edge of the bottom opening of the central through channel 11. The rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 and the central through channel 11 are coaxially arranged.

[0036] The root intervention component is nested within the planting hole 12, and has a guide opening at its bottom. This component is configured to guide the roots 21 of the aquatic plants planted inside through the guide opening and downwards. Specifically, the root intervention component is an independent and detachable plant basket 2. The sidewall of the plant basket 2 has permeable holes for fluid exchange, and the guide opening is located at the bottom of the plant basket 2. Aquatic plants are planted within the plant basket 2, which is detachably installed in the planting hole 12 of the buoyancy frame 1. The permeable holes and the guide opening allow water to flow in and out of the plant basket 2, while the guide opening also guides the roots 21 of the aquatic plants to pass through and extend downwards, allowing the roots 21 to extend beyond the bottom of the buoyancy frame 1 and intertwine to form a root-covered area outside the sidewall of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15.

[0037] Specifically, the bottom opening of the planting hole 12 is located on the periphery of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15. The rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 can resist the radial extrusion force exerted by the roots 21 of aquatic plants, effectively preventing the roots 21 of aquatic plants from growing into the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 and reducing the risk of mechanical jamming, that is, reducing the lifting and lowering jamming of the suspended net cage 3 of the mineral reaction unit. On the other hand, it can also effectively reduce the fluid exchange rate in the inner and outer areas of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15, making the water flow in the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 more gentle.

[0038] The mineral reaction unit includes a suspended net cage 3 located below the buoyancy frame 1, and the suspended net cage 3 is loaded with weatherable alkaline minerals 33.

[0039] The depth adjustment mechanism 4 is installed on the buoyancy frame 1 and drives the suspended net cage 3 to move up and down between the interior of the central through channel 11, the interior of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15, and the deep water area below the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15.

[0040] The water monitoring module 5 is installed on the buoyancy frame 1 and includes a sensor array 52 and a central control unit 51. The sensor array 52 includes at least a pH sensor and a flow velocity sensor. The pH sensor is used to monitor the pH value of the water body; the flow velocity sensor is used to monitor the flow velocity of the water body, thereby determining the flow velocity change of the target water area to determine whether the water area has been subjected to a water flow disturbance event. The output end of the sensor array 52 is connected to the central control unit 51, and the central control unit 51 is connected to the depth adjustment mechanism 4 to send commands to the depth adjustment mechanism 4 to control the depth adjustment mechanism 4 to raise or lower the suspended net cage 3.

[0041] Furthermore, during operation, the central control unit 51 also establishes a communication connection with a remote terminal via a wireless communication module.

[0042] Specifically, the sensors of the sensor array 52 and the central control unit 51 of the water monitoring module 5 can both adopt existing technical structures, and their specific models, connection structures and working principles will not be detailed here.

[0043] To facilitate understanding of the subsequent control methods, the "first lifting height" and "second lifting height" in this invention are defined as follows: The first lifting height refers to the height at which the suspended net cage 3 is lifted to be completely inside the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15. At this height, the top of the suspended net cage 3 is not higher than the top of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15, and its outer side is isolated from the external root-covered area by the sleeve wall to avoid mechanical jamming with the roots of aquatic plants.

[0044] The second lifting height refers to the height at which the suspended net cage 3 is lifted into the central through-channel 11 of the buoyancy frame 1. At this height, the convective exchange between the suspended net cage 3 and the external water body is significantly reduced, and its alkalinity release rate is significantly decreased; in a preferred embodiment, if the configuration allows, this height can make the bottom of the suspended net cage 3 higher than the water surface, achieving physical isolation for dehydration.

[0045] Meanwhile, the description of "reaching a certain set value" below includes both the case of just reaching the set value and the case of exceeding the set value. For example, "reaching the pH ecological safety upper limit" means that the pH ecological safety upper limit has just been reached or exceeded, and so on.

[0046] Based on the above-mentioned carbon sequestration system coupled with mineral slow release and root microenvironment, this embodiment also provides a carbon sequestration regulation method based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment. This regulation method adopts the following steps: Setting benchmarks and cycles: This involves setting the upper limit of pH ecological safety, the first flow velocity safety threshold, the second flow velocity safety threshold, and the long-term service period for the target water area. The second flow velocity safety threshold is higher than the first flow velocity safety threshold; a higher flow velocity safety threshold indicates greater fluctuations in the water. The long-term service period refers to the maximum time the suspended gillnet remains at a single height. The long-term service periods for each height layer can be the same or different. The values ​​set above are determined based on actual conditions; for example, the geochemical background values ​​of the target water area can be used as a reference, or other benchmarks can be adopted. No restrictions are placed here.

[0047] Lower layer flushing and release steps: When the flow rate monitored by the sensor array 52 is lower than the first flow rate safety threshold and the pH value monitored by the sensor array 52 is lower than the set pH ecological safety upper limit, the central control unit 51 sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism 4, which lowers the suspended net cage 3 into the active flow field of the deep water, and uses natural water flow to flush the alkaline minerals 33 in the suspended net cage, so as to physically peel off, dissolve and release the alkalinity of the alkaline minerals 33. Specifically, a flow velocity lower than the first flow velocity safety threshold can be understood as the target water body being in a stable hydrological period.

[0048] Mid-layer biochemical activation and risk avoidance steps: When the suspended net cage 3 stays in the deep water for a preset long-term service period or when the flow velocity of the target water body reaches the first flow velocity safety threshold and is lower than the second flow velocity safety threshold, it can be considered that the water area has encountered a strong water flow disturbance event (such as strong wind weather); reaching the first flow velocity safety threshold and being lower than the second flow velocity safety threshold includes just reaching the first flow velocity safety threshold and exceeding the first flow velocity safety threshold, but not yet reaching the second flow velocity safety threshold. When any of the above conditions are met, the central control unit 51 issues a command to the depth adjustment mechanism 4 to raise the suspended net cage 3 to the first lifting height, so that it resides inside the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15. At this time, the strong convective exchange between the internal area of ​​the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 and the external water body is slowed down by the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 and the external root covering area. The suspended net cage 3 is confined in the relatively static rigid porous isolation sleeve 15. The organic acids secreted by the roots 21 of the aquatic plants of the root intervention component penetrate into the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 to provide a ligand environment and synergistically delay the densification process of the amorphous silica passivation layer on the surface of the alkaline mineral 33 through coordination complexation.

[0049] Upper-level environmental safety isolation steps: When the pH value of the target water body reaches the set upper limit of pH ecological safety, or when the flow velocity of the target water body reaches the set second flow velocity safety threshold (the flow velocity reaching the set second flow velocity safety threshold usually indicates that the water area has encountered an extreme water flow disturbance event (such as a strong typhoon), the central control unit 51 sends a command to the depth adjustment mechanism 4 to raise the suspended net cage 3 to the second lifting height, so that it enters the central through-channel 11 of the buoyancy frame 1. At this position, the alkaline minerals 33 in the suspended net cage 3 have a small amount of contact with the water body or are completely detached from the water body, preventing drastic fluctuations in the local water pH from the source, or avoiding mechanical damage caused by excessive flow velocity.

[0050] Furthermore, in the intermediate layer biochemical activation and risk avoidance step, the suspended net cage 3 is raised to a first lifting height and resides inside the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15; when the suspension net cage 3 stays at the first lifting height for a long-term service period and the sensor array 52 detects that the water flow velocity of the target water body is lower than the first flow velocity safety threshold, the central control unit 51 sends a command to the depth adjustment mechanism 4, which lowers the suspension net cage 3 back into the active flow field of the deep water area to restore the lower layer flushing and release step.

[0051] In a further preferred embodiment, during the upper-level environmental safety isolation step, when the pH value of the target water body monitored by the sensor array 52 is lower than the set pH ecological safety upper limit, and the flow velocity of the target water body is lower than the first flow velocity safety threshold, the central control unit 51 sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism 4 to lower the suspended net cage 3 to the height layer it was at before being raised to the second lifting height. Specifically, the height layer it was at before being raised to the second lifting height refers to the height position of the suspended net cage 3 before being raised to the second lifting height. If the suspended net cage 3 is raised from the first lifting height to the second lifting height, the central control unit 51 controls the depth adjustment mechanism 4 to lower the suspended net cage 3 to the first lifting height. If the suspended net cage 3 is raised to the second lifting height from the active flow field of the deep water, the central control unit 51 controls the depth adjustment mechanism 4 to lower the suspended net cage 3 into the active flow field of the deep water.

[0052] Specifically, this carbon sequestration system will be deployed in the target water area, taking the effluent buffer zone of a wastewater treatment plant or a nearshore carbon sequestration demonstration zone as the application scenario.

[0053] In the initial stage, the sensor array 52 of the water monitoring module 5 monitors the pH value of the water. Based on the initial pH value of the water (e.g., 7.0), the system defaults to executing the "lower layer flushing and release step": the central control unit 51 lowers the suspended net cage 3 into the active flow field of the deep water below the rigid porous isolation sleeve via the depth adjustment mechanism 4, for example, at a depth of 1.0-2.0 meters underwater. The water flows naturally through the suspended net cage, flushing the surface of alkaline minerals, promoting mineral weathering and releasing alkalinity through macroscopic convection mass transfer.

[0054] As the operating time progresses, when the preset long-term service period is reached (e.g., continuous operation for 30 days), or when the sensor array 52 detects severe hydrodynamic fluctuations (meaning the flow rate reaches the first flow rate safety threshold but is below the second flow rate safety threshold), the system automatically switches to the "mid-layer biochemical activation and risk avoidance step": the central control unit 51 raises the suspended net cage 3 into the interior of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 through the depth adjustment mechanism 4. At this time, the biochemical microenvironment constructed by the roots 21 of the external aquatic plants surrounding the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 comes into play. The organic acid ligands that permeate and accumulate in the inner cavity of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 gently and persistently complex and dissolve the dense passivation layer on the surface of the alkaline minerals within the confined space, achieving chemical activation; at the same time, the hydrodynamic buffer zone formed by the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 and the root biological network effectively reduces the impact of abnormal water flow on the suspended net cage 3. When the suspended net cage 3 stays in the inner cavity of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 for a preset long-term service period and the sensor array 52 detects that the water flow velocity of the target water body is lower than the first flow velocity safety threshold, the suspended net cage 3 is lowered again into the active flow field of the deep water to restore efficient release.

[0055] When the sensor array 52 of the water monitoring module 5 detects that the pH value of the water reaches the set pH ecological safety upper limit (e.g., 8.5), or when the flow velocity of the monitored target water reaches the set second flow velocity safety threshold, the system triggers a circuit breaker and executes the "upper-level environment and structural safety isolation step": the central control unit 51 forcibly lifts the suspended net cage 3 into the central through-channel 11 within the buoyancy frame 1 through the depth adjustment mechanism 4, causing it to be dehydrated and physically isolated, terminating alkalinity release, and ensuring that the system survives extreme operating conditions. After the water monitoring module 5 detects that the water environment parameters have fallen back to a suitable range (e.g., when the pH value of the monitored target water is lower than the set pH ecological safety upper limit, and the flow velocity of the monitored target water is lower than the first flow velocity safety threshold), the system automatically lowers the suspended net cage 3 to the height level it was at before being lifted to the second lifting height to resume operation.

[0056] During operation, the sensor array 52 of the water monitoring module 5 continuously monitors water quality parameters, and the central control unit 51 periodically uploads high signal-to-noise ratio in-situ data to the remote verification terminal. Operators can view the device status in real time via mobile or PC and remotely issue control parameters.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the buoyancy frame 1 includes a hollow support frame and closed-cell foamed buoyancy material filled within the support frame. Specifically, the support frame is a rigid plastic frame, such as one made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which, together with the internal closed-cell foamed material, ensures stable and reliable overall buoyancy. Of course, in other embodiments, the buoyancy frame 1 can also employ other support structures capable of providing buoyancy.

[0058] The buoyancy frame 1 is generally hexagonal, and the side of the buoyancy frame 1 is provided with splicing parts, such as splicing holes. Multiple buoyancy frames 1 are spliced ​​and fixed by inserting connecting rods into the holes of adjacent buoyancy frames 1 to form a large-scale carbon sequestration array composed of multiple carbon sequestration systems.

[0059] A regular hexagonal buoyancy frame 1 is used. Multiple buoyancy frames 1 can be spliced ​​together to form a honeycomb array, which has high space utilization and structural stability. Of course, in other embodiments, the shape of the buoyancy frame 1 can also be triangular, quadrilateral, circular, or other irregular shapes, but the splicing effect is not as good as that of a regular hexagonal structure. At the same time, the splicing part can also be implemented using other structures that can be docked and fixed.

[0060] The central through-channel 11 of the buoyancy frame 1 has an upper opening that extends inward to form a support platform. This creates an upper opening channel at the top and a receiving channel below the upper opening channel. The diameter of the upper opening channel is smaller than that of the receiving channel, which is used to accommodate the suspended net cage 3 raised to a second lifting height. In this embodiment, the receiving channel is a circular channel, while the upper opening channel is an oblong channel with a maximum diameter equal to that of the receiving channel. This provides a larger area for placing equipment or providing a standing space for personnel. Of course, in other embodiments, the support platform may not be extended.

[0061] The top surface of the buoyancy frame 1 is also equipped with a solar panel 13 and a battery. The solar panel 13 is connected to the battery, and the electricity generated by the solar panel 13 is stored in the battery. The battery powers the depth adjustment mechanism 4 and the water monitoring module 5. The addition of the solar panel 13 for power generation or supplemental power maintains the operating characteristics of low energy consumption and low secondary carbon emissions. Of course, in other embodiments, a wind turbine or tidal generator can be added, or a battery can be used alone for power supply.

[0062] The depth adjustment mechanism 4 includes an automatic winch assembly 41 driven by a waterproof motor, a guide pulley 42, and a suspension cable 43. The automatic winch assembly 41 is mounted on the buoyancy frame 1. The guide pulley 42 is fixedly installed and extends into the central through-channel 11. Specifically, the guide pulley 42 is directly fixed to an inner wall of the central through-channel 11, allowing it to be positioned within the central through-channel 11. The suspension cable 43 is wound around the automatic winch assembly 41, and its end passes over the guide pulley 42 and connects to the suspended net cage 3. When the height of the suspended net cage 3 needs to be changed, the waterproof motor drives the automatic winch assembly 41 to rotate, thereby stretching or releasing the suspension cable 43, and thus raising or lowering the suspended net cage 3. The automatic winch assembly 41, guide pulley 42, and suspension cable 43 can all be commercially available products. Of course, in other embodiments, the depth adjustment mechanism 4 can also be implemented using other lifting and lowering devices.

[0063] The rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 has at least an anti-biofouling coating on its inner wall surface to prevent aquatic organisms from parasitizing the inner wall of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 and thus affecting the raising and lowering of the suspended cage 3. Specifically, the anti-biofouling coating is an existing coating, commonly used for coating the bottom of ships. Of course, in other embodiments, both the inner and outer walls of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 can be coated with anti-biofouling coatings.

[0064] The top of the suspended wire mesh cage 3 is equipped with a mineral feeding port 31 and a quick-release door 32 that fits onto the mineral feeding port 31. The mineral feeding port 31 is hopper-shaped, allowing for quick replenishment or replacement of alkaline minerals 33 during operation without disassembling the buoyancy frame system. The quick-release door 32 can be quickly installed on or removed from the mineral feeding port 31 using snap-fit ​​or other methods. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the mineral feed port 31 is in the open state, and the quick-release door 32 is removed and placed on top of the hanging wire mesh cage 3. Of course, the quick-release door 32 can also be hinged to one side of the mineral feed port 31.

[0065] The bottom of the suspended wire mesh cage 3 is provided with a discharge door 34; the discharge door 34 can open or close the bottom of the suspended wire mesh cage 3 to quickly release all alkaline minerals 33, which is convenient for overall replacement or device maintenance.

[0066] The suspended net cage 3 has an overall cylindrical shape, allowing water to flow evenly along the cylindrical surface, reducing flow resistance; the structure is subjected to uniform stress and has no stress concentration points.

[0067] The suspended mesh cage 3 is made of stainless steel or corrosion-resistant polymer woven mesh. In this embodiment, the suspended mesh cage 3 includes a frame and a mesh surface. The frame is welded from 316L stainless steel round bars to ensure structural strength. The mineral feed port 31 and discharge gate 34 are both located on the frame. The mesh surface is made of corrosion-resistant polymer material (such as polyethylene) with a mesh size of approximately 5 cm, significantly reducing the cage's weight while ensuring smooth water flow. The maximum outer diameter of the suspended mesh cage 3 has sufficient clearance to match the inner diameter of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15, limiting its lifting path within the cavity of the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 and preventing mechanical interference with external intertwined plant roots.

[0068] When used in ecologically sensitive areas, a small-aperture sieve can be fitted over the outside of the suspended mesh cage 3 to further trap fine inorganic particles generated by mineral weathering.

[0069] The buoyancy frame 1 is also provided with a vertically extending monitoring mounting position 53, in which the sensor array 52 is installed to fix the sensor array. Specifically, the sensor array 52 consists of a sensor protective frame and various sensors assembled within the sensor protective frame. The sensor probes of the sensor array 52 extend towards the bottom of the buoyancy frame for better contact with the water.

[0070] Specifically, the sensor array 52 can also be equipped with other types of water sensors, such as conductivity sensors to monitor water conductivity, dissolved oxygen sensors to monitor dissolved oxygen content in water, or turbidity sensors to monitor the degree of water turbidity, etc., to monitor more water parameters.

[0071] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, at least the following beneficial effects are achieved: 1. Solving the problem of mineral settling failure and achieving long-term physicochemical synergistic dissolution: By suspending the mineral reaction unit in water, the problem of minerals easily sinking into the bottom mud and becoming buried and ineffective in the traditional throwing mode is effectively avoided, and the water-rock reaction time is greatly extended. At the same time, it breaks through the limitations of single physical water mass transfer. In the middle layer mode, the suspended net cage 3 resides inside the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15. The organic acid that permeates into the rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 through plant roots constructs a local ligand microenvironment, delaying the densification of the passivation layer on the mineral surface and realizing the long-term accumulation of alkaline minerals.

[0072] 2. Establish a deep regulation model based on composite feedback to enhance environmental and structural safety: Combine real-time water body monitoring with a composite control logic of "time-sequence scheduling + hydrological trend + extreme event circuit breaker". The system can dynamically adjust the mineral immersion depth based on macro-water quality feedback to control the spatial distribution of alkalinity release. When the monitored pH approaches the ecological safety red line or encounters extreme strong currents, the suspended net cage can be forcibly raised into the central through-channel for dehydration and isolation, preventing drastic local pH fluctuations and mechanical damage from the source, and constructing a reliable ecological and engineering dual safety defense line.

[0073] 3. Construct a plant-mineral synergistic carbon sequestration system to achieve mutual promotion between geochemical reactions and biological processes: This involves synergistically promoting biological carbon sequestration and inorganic carbon sink enhancement. On one hand, the organic acid ligands secreted by plant roots in root-intervention components provide the chemical impetus for mineral depassivation. On the other hand, the long-term release of alkalinity and micronutrients from minerals can effectively buffer the acidification pressure of nearshore acidic waters (such as wastewater treatment plant effluent discharge areas), creating a suitable neutral to slightly alkaline growth environment for aquatic plants. This, in turn, promotes the primary productivity and photosynthetic carbon sequestration efficiency of plants, resulting in synergistic effects.

[0074] 4. Constructing a cage-like buffer structure to reduce engineering deployment and maintenance costs: Introducing a rigid porous isolation sleeve 15, which resists radial extrusion pressure from the root system and reduces the risk of mechanical jamming, while jointly constructing a fluid buffer zone with the surrounding root system. Relying on the convenient deployment characteristics of the buoyancy frame 1 in nearshore and lake waters, the system significantly reduces the costs of ship logistics and high-frequency engineering operations required for marine alkalization.

[0075] 5. Achieving Monitorable and Verifiable Carbon Sequestration Effects: The integrated water monitoring module 5 can acquire macroscopically representative water quality parameters in real time, providing reliable basic data support for quantifying carbon sequestration flux and helping to solve the problem of difficulties in constructing an open water carbon sequestration monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system. Simultaneously, this invention, based on the traditional functions of floating island landscaping and water purification, endows it with the potential for carbon credit data collection. It can form a demonstration base that combines online monitoring and carbon sequestration experimental platform functions, improving the overall economic benefits of aquatic ecological restoration projects.

[0076] This invention breaks through the traditional physical bearing logic, and uses root curtain and rigid structure to construct a microenvironment (i.e., the microenvironment constructed by the roots of rigid porous isolation sleeve 15 and the surrounding aquatic plants). It introduces a triple depth (i.e., the three depths of the suspended net cage 3 in deep water, the first lifting height and the second lifting height) adjustment model based on time sequence (the set long-term service time period) and chemical kinetics to achieve a long-term and safe carbon sequestration effect.

[0077] Although the invention has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes in form and detail may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, all of which shall be within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment, characterized in that, include: A buoyancy support base for providing overall buoyancy includes a buoyancy frame with a central through channel. The buoyancy frame has a central through channel and a plurality of planting holes extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the buoyancy frame are provided around the central through channel. A rigid porous isolation sleeve is fixedly connected to the bottom of the buoyancy frame. The rigid porous isolation sleeve communicates with the central through channel and is located below it. A root intervention component, nested in the planting hole, has a guide opening at its bottom; the root intervention component is configured to guide the roots of the aquatic plant planted inside through the guide opening and extend downward to interweave and form a root-covered area outside the sidewall of the rigid porous isolation sleeve. The mineral reaction unit includes a suspended net cage located below the buoyancy frame, the suspended net cage being loaded with weatherable alkaline minerals. A depth adjustment mechanism is installed on the buoyancy frame and drives the suspended net cage to move up and down between the interior of the central through channel, the interior of the rigid porous isolation sleeve, and the deep water area located below the rigid porous isolation sleeve. The water monitoring module, installed on the buoyancy frame, includes a sensor array and a central control unit. The sensor array includes at least a pH sensor and a flow rate sensor. The output of the sensor array is connected to the central control unit, which is connected to the depth adjustment mechanism.

2. The carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple planting holes are located at the top of the buoyancy frame, and the side of the buoyancy frame is provided with a splicing part for splicing with adjacent buoyancy frames; The buoyancy frame includes a hollow support frame and closed-cell foamed buoyancy material filled into the support frame; the support frame is a rigid plastic frame.

3. The carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The root intervention component is an independent and detachable plant basket. The side wall of the plant basket is provided with permeable holes for fluid exchange, and the guide opening is located at the bottom of the plant basket.

4. The carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The depth adjustment mechanism includes an automatic winch assembly driven by a waterproof motor, a guide pulley, and a suspension cable; the automatic winch assembly is mounted on the buoyancy frame, the guide pulley is fixedly set on the inner wall of the central through channel and extends into the interior of the central through channel, the suspension cable is wound around the automatic winch assembly, and the end of the suspension cable passes around the guide pulley and connects to the suspended net cage.

5. The carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rigid porous isolation sleeve is provided with an anti-biofouling coating on at least its inner wall surface.

6. The carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the suspended wire mesh cage is provided with a mineral feeding port and a quick-release door that fits at the mineral feeding port, and the bottom of the suspended wire mesh cage is provided with a discharge door. The suspended mesh cage is a stainless steel mesh cage or a corrosion-resistant polymer woven mesh; the outside of the suspended mesh cage is covered with a small-aperture sieve.

7. The carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buoyancy frame is also provided with a vertically connected monitoring mounting position, and the sensor array is installed in the monitoring mounting position; the sensor probes of the sensor array extend toward the bottom of the buoyancy frame. The sensor array also includes a conductivity sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor, or a turbidity sensor.

8. The carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top surface of the buoyancy frame is also equipped with a solar panel and a battery. The solar panel is connected to the battery, which powers the depth adjustment mechanism and the water monitoring module. The central control unit also establishes a communication connection with a remote terminal via a wireless communication module.

9. A carbon sequestration regulation method based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment, characterized in that, Provide a carbon sequestration system based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and employ the following steps: Setting benchmarks and cycles: Set the upper limit of pH ecological safety, the first flow velocity safety threshold, the second flow velocity safety threshold, and the long-term service period for the target water area; wherein, the second flow velocity safety threshold is higher than the first flow velocity safety threshold; Lower layer flushing and release steps: When the flow rate monitored by the sensor array is lower than the first flow rate safety threshold and the pH value monitored by the sensor array is lower than the set pH ecological safety upper limit, the central control unit sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism, which lowers the suspended net cage into the active flow field of the deep water, and uses natural water flow to flush the alkaline minerals in the suspended net cage, so as to physically strip, dissolve and release the alkalinity of the alkaline minerals. Mid-layer biochemical activation and risk avoidance steps: When the suspended net cage stays in deep water for a preset long-term service period or when the sensor array detects that the water flow velocity of the target water body reaches the first flow velocity safety threshold and is lower than the second flow velocity safety threshold, the central control unit sends a command to the depth adjustment mechanism to lift the suspended net cage to the first lifting height, so that it stays inside the rigid porous isolation sleeve; the rigid porous isolation sleeve and the external root covering area slow down the strong convective exchange between the internal area of ​​the rigid porous isolation sleeve and the external water body; the suspended net cage is confined in the relatively static rigid porous isolation sleeve, and the organic acids secreted by the roots of aquatic plants in the root intervention component penetrate into the rigid porous isolation sleeve to provide a ligand environment, and through coordination and complexation, synergistically delay the densification process of the amorphous silica passivation layer on the surface of the alkaline mineral; Upper-level environmental safety isolation steps: When the sensor array monitors the pH value of the target water body to reach the set pH ecological safety upper limit, or when the monitored flow rate of the target water body reaches the set second flow rate safety threshold, the central control unit sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism, which lifts the suspended net cage to the second lifting height, so that it enters the central through-channel of the buoyancy frame.

10. The carbon sequestration regulation method based on the coupling of mineral slow release and root microenvironment as described in claim 9, characterized in that: In the middle layer biochemical activation and risk avoidance step, after the suspended net cage has been stationed inside the rigid porous isolation sleeve for a preset long-term service period and the sensor array detects that the water flow velocity of the target water body is lower than the first flow velocity safety threshold, the central control unit sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism, which lowers the suspended net cage back into the active flow field of the deep water to restore the lower layer flushing and release step. In the upper environmental safety isolation step, when the pH value of the target water body monitored by the sensor array is lower than the set pH ecological safety upper limit, and the flow rate of the target water body is lower than the first flow rate safety threshold, the central control unit sends an instruction to the depth adjustment mechanism, which lowers the suspended net cage to the height layer it was at before being raised to the second lifting height.

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