Summary
This meta-analysis, published in New Phytologist, synthesises experimental evidence on how elevated atmospheric CO₂ affects the mineral composition of plants. The study likely finds that elevated CO₂ broadly reduces concentrations of key minerals — including zinc, iron, and magnesium — in plant tissues, a phenomenon often attributed to carbohydrate dilution and altered transpiration-driven nutrient uptake. The findings contribute to understanding the nutritional implications of rising CO₂ for both human dietary quality and ecosystem nutrient cycling.
UK applicability
Although this is a global meta-analysis, the findings are directly applicable to the UK, where staple cereals such as wheat and barley are principal dietary sources of zinc and iron; projected rises in atmospheric CO₂ under UK climate scenarios suggest ongoing mineral dilution in crops may pose a quiet but significant risk to dietary adequacy.
Key measures
Plant mineral concentrations (mg/kg or % dry weight) for zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus; effect size (response ratio) under elevated vs ambient CO₂
Outcomes reported
The study quantified changes in plant mineral concentrations (including zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium) under elevated CO₂ conditions across multiple plant species and experimental settings. It synthesised effect sizes from free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) and controlled-environment studies to assess the magnitude and consistency of mineral dilution effects.
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