Open AccessPotential for carbon dioxide sequestration in flood basalts
Author(s) -
McGrail B. Peter,
Schaef H. Todd,
Ho Anita M.,
Chien YiJu,
Dooley James J.,
Davidson Casie L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: solid earth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2005jb004169
Subject(s) - flood basalt , basalt , geology , carbon sequestration , carbonate , lava , geochemistry , carbonate minerals , carbon dioxide , volcano , volcanism , calcite , tectonics , chemistry , paleontology , organic chemistry
Flood basalts are a potentially important host medium for geologic sequestration of anthropogenic CO 2 . Most lava flows have flow tops that are porous and permeable and have enormous capacity for storage of CO 2 . Interbedded sediment layers and dense low‐permeability basalt rock overlying sequential flows may act as effective seals allowing time for mineralization reactions to occur. Laboratory experiments confirm relatively rapid chemical reaction of CO 2 ‐saturated pore water with basalts to form stable carbonate minerals. Calculations suggest a sufficiently short time frame for onset of carbonate precipitation after CO 2 injection that verification of in situ mineralization rates appears feasible in field pilot studies. If proven viable, major flood basalts in the United States and India would provide significant additional CO 2 storage capacity and additional geologic sequestration options in certain regions where more conventional storage options are limited.