3-D Geological Mapping of Rocks Potentially Suitable for Capturing Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere

Abstract

Rapid increase of the Anthropocene ambient air CO2 concentration value is the main cause of the 1.2 o C global temperature rise creating the recent adverse climate and weather changes. Promising new methods to capture CO2 from the air are being developed but remain too expensive for worldwide applications. Mantle-derived rocks, primarily basalts, peridotites and serpentinites are likely to play an important role in future CO2 reduction because of relatively rapid disintegration of minerals (including olivine and serpentine) in these rocks potentially resulting in widespread CO2 capture. Examples to be discussed include artificially enhanced carbonization of water emitted from ophiolites, and acid dissolution of serpentinites resulting in indirect mineral carbonation by optimizing temperature and pressure conditions. Reconstruction of a large cone-shaped body of serpentinite situated within the Mount Albert peridotite intrusion in Québec is presented as an example of the rôle 3-D geologic mapping can play in future CO2 reduction efforts.