My research focuses on understanding and harnessing enhanced rock weathering (ERW) as a scalable nature-based strategy for atmospheric CO2 removal and long-term geological carbon sequestration. I investigate the feasibility, efficiency, and environmental implications of deploying ERW across climatically and geologically suitable regions of Peninsular India, to quantify its CO2 removal potential under diverse soil, hydrological, and land-use conditions. A central theme of my work is the development of process-based frameworks for evaluating silicate weathering dynamics and associated carbon fluxes. By integrating elemental geochemistry, stable carbon isotopes (δ¹³C), and reactive transport approaches, I seek to constrain weathering rates, trace carbon sources and sinks, and quantify the fate of weathering-derived alkalinity within terrestrial and aquatic systems. These investigations provide critical insights into the mechanisms governing carbon capture during mineral dissolution and subsequent carbon stabilization pathways. My research further aims to establish robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) methodologies for ERW, addressing one of the key challenges in the large-scale deployment of CO2 removal technologies. Through the application of geochemical tracers, isotopic proxies, and field-scale observations, I work toward improving the accuracy and reliability of net CO2 sequestration estimates while accounting for potential environmental trade-offs. More broadly, my interests lie at the intersection of geochemistry, soil-water-rock interactions, and sustainable land management. By combining fundamental process understanding with applied environmental research, I seek to advance scientifically rigorous pathways for CO2 removal while generating co-benefits for soil health, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem resilience.
Core Research Areas
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Chemistry–ecology interactions in inland and
coastal environments.
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Earth surface processes, with emphasis on
coupled elemental and biogeochemical cycles.
§ Geological carbon capture, including enhanced rock weathering.
Research Experience
Apr. 2026 onwards Assistant Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER, Berhampur.
Jun. 2025 – Mar. 2026 Research Associate, National Centre for Earth Science Studies, Trivandrum.
May. 2022 – May. 2025 Project Scientist, Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Kochi.
Feb. 2021 – Apr. 2022 SERB-NPDF, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, RC-Visakhapatnam.
Apr. 2016 – Jan. 2021 INSPIRE Fellow, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad.
Feb. 2015 – Mar. 2016 Project Assistant, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad.
1. Reddy, K.K., Kumar, K.S., Upendra, B., Krishnan, K.A., Gupta, H. & Maya, T.M.V. (2026). Carbon dioxide consumption and efflux rates in a large tropical river basin: Implication for estimation of regional CO₂ emissions. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 51(6), e70316. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70316
2. Reddy, K. K., Upendra, B., Gupta, H., Rai, S. P., Krishnan, K. A., Maya, T. V., Reddy, D. V. & Kumar, D. (2026). Chemical weathering induced carbon sink potential of a highly populated tropical biodiversity hotspot: Evidences from Riverine pCO2 and δ13CDIC. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, 104364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2026.104364
3. Reddy, K. K., Kumar B. S. K., Gupta, G. V. M. (2025). Impact of land-based freshwater inflows on coastal ocean acidification in the Arabian Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 118571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118571
4. Reddy, K. K., Gupta, H., Pandya, D., & Chhag, S. (2025). Per Capita Water Availability and an Overview on the Influencing Factors in a Semi-Arid Region. Journal Of The Geological Society Of India, 101(10), 1461-1468. https://doi.org/10.17491/jgsi/2025/174264
5. Reddy, S. K. K., Gupta, H., Gandla, V. K., Reddy, D. V., Kurakalva, R. M., & Kumar, D. (2024). Nutrient dynamics in small west-flowing tropical mountainous rivers of India. Applied Geochemistry, 169, 106035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2024.106035
6. Reddy, S. K. K., Gupta, H., Upender, D. V. Reddy, Rama Mohan, Devender Kumar (2021). Export of particulate organic carbon by the mountainous tropical rivers of Western Ghats, India: Variations and controls. Science of The Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142115
7. Reddy, S. K. K., Gupta, H., Reddy, D.V., Devender Kumar (2021). The suitability of surface waters from small west-flowing rivers for drinking, irrigation, and aquatic life from a global biodiversity hotspot (Western Ghats, India). Environmental Science and Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13154-8
8. Reddy, S. K. K., Kotluri, S.K., Gupta, H. Reddy, D.V. (2021). Role of Climate and Topography on Hydrological Characteristics of the Bharathapuzha Basin in the Tectonically Quiescent Western Ghats, India. Journal Geological Society of India, 97, 1087–1096. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1824-x
9. Reddy, S. K. K., Harish Gupta, D. V. Reddy (2019). Dissolved inorganic carbon export by mountainous tropical rivers of the Western Ghats, India. Chemical Geology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2019.119316
10. Reddy, S. K. K., Sahadevan, D. K., Gupta, H., & Reddy, D. V. (2019). GIS-based prediction of groundwater fluoride contamination zones in Telangana, India. Journal of Earth System Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-019-1151-4
