• Certain minerals have a natural ability to interact with CO₂, transforming it from a gas to a solid state, thus preventing its release into the atmosphere permanently. This procedure is often known as “carbon mineralization” or “enhanced weathering,” and occurs naturally at a slow pace, taking hundreds or thousands of years.
• Carbon mineralization involves the transformation of carbon dioxide into a solid mineral like carbonate. When specific rocks come into contact with carbon dioxide, they undergo a chemical reaction.
• In the meantime, at the surface, another approach to carbon mineralization includes the exposure of carbon dioxide to ultramafic rocks or basalt.

Global warming is occurring and has caused substantial alterations in ecological and environmental systems worldwide. The main causes of climate change have been identified as the burning of fossil fuels and the ongoing emission of greenhouse gases, especially CO₂, into the atmosphere. A possible method for storing CO₂ without the limitations of sedimentary formations is carbon mineralization in igneous rocks. The concept involves trapping CO₂ and placing it within reactive rocks to create permanent carbonates.

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Certain minerals have a natural ability to interact with CO₂, transforming it from a gas to a solid state, thus preventing its release into the atmosphere permanently. This procedure is often known as “carbon mineralization” or “enhanced weathering,” and occurs naturally at a slow pace, taking hundreds or thousands of years. However, scientists are finding ways to accelerate the carbon mineralization process by increasing the amount of exposure these minerals have to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or oceans. This may involve ventilating air through extensive mine tailings containing desired minerals, utilizing enzymes to break down mineral deposits for increased surface area, applying specific ground rocks on croplands or coastal areas to absorb and store carbon dioxide, and developing methods for industrial byproducts like fly ash, kiln dust, or iron and steel slag to trap CO₂.

Carbon mineralization is a method to store captured carbon dioxide by injecting it into appropriate rock types, where it transforms into solid carbonate, effectively sequestering it indefinitely. Alternative uses could capture carbon and substitute for traditional production methods with higher emission levels. For instance, incorporating mineralization into the process of making concrete, which is utilized on a massive scale worldwide in the billions of tons.

Researchers have demonstrated that carbon mineralization is achievable and several new companies are working on different methods, such as using mineralization for creating construction materials. Yet, further effort is needed to identify cost-efficient and wise uses for expanded implementation and enhance monitoring of carbon storage.

Creating Minerals

Carbon mineralization involves the transformation of carbon dioxide into a solid mineral like carbonate. When specific rocks come into contact with carbon dioxide, they undergo a chemical reaction. Carbon mineralization’s greatest benefit is the prevention of carbon from re-entering the atmosphere.

It occurs spontaneously, but it can be accelerated artificially. The majority of rocks suitable for carbon mineralization are igneous or metamorphic, not porous sedimentary reservoirs.

In sedimentary reservoirs, the main contrast with carbon mineralization is that the injected carbon dioxide dissolves into deep saline groundwaters. Yet, during carbon mineralization, the rocks where it is stored undergo chemical reactions that create a fresh carbonate mineral, minimizing the risk of future release.

There are two main ways in which geologic carbon mineralization can occur: injecting carbon dioxide into deep underground rock formations, or exposing broken rock pieces on the surface, such as mine tailings.

Injecting Carbon Far Below the Earth’s Surface

This carbon mineralization method closely resembles geologic carbon storage in sedimentary basins. Carbon dioxide is infused into deep underground wells located in igneous or metamorphic rock formations with the potential to undergo carbon mineralization.

Basalt and ultramafic rocks, with high magnesium and iron content, are the main rock types with potential for carbon mineralization through injection. Research conducted in labs has proven that ultramafic rocks react the quickest, while initial studies have indicated that injecting carbon dioxide into basalt can result in mineralization in less than two years.

Carbon Can Be Mineralized Using Crushed Rocks

In the meantime, at the surface, another approach to carbon mineralization includes the exposure of carbon dioxide to ultramafic rocks or basalt. Frequently these rocks come in the shape of pulverized mining byproducts, like the remnants of an asbestos mine. The process of carbonating asbestos mine tailings also helps to lower the dangers linked to open asbestos exposure.

Mineralizing carbon in mine waste is quicker than injecting carbon underground because crushed rocks provide more surface area for mineral formation. Nonetheless, the quantity of mineralized rock available for carbon storage on the surface is significantly less compared to what is found underground, resulting in a greater overall carbon storage capacity for injecting carbon dioxide underground rather than exposing it to crushed rock on the surface. The optimal application for this technique is most likely near industrial facilities that release carbon dioxide, allowing for the capture and immediate mineralization of the carbon on site before it is released into the atmosphere.

#ZonaEBT #Sebarterbarukan #EBTHeroes

Editor: Savira Oktavia

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References:

[1] Carbon mineralization and geological storage of CO2 in basalt: Mechanisms and technical challenges

[2] Making Mineral-How Growing Rocks Can Help Reduce Carbon Emission

[3] 6 Ways to Remove Carbon Pollution from the Atmosphere