Abstract
This paper presents a radically new hypothesis for the well-documented but hitherto not explained carbon sink observed over the Eastern United States. This hypothesis provides evidence for CO2 fixation in minerals, not the ocean or vegetation. From the mineralogical analysis of carbonates and carbonate carbon in some 60 samples of Upper Allegheny formation limestones, coal overburden shales and sandstones, water well precipitates, AMD sludges and down slope seep precipitates, we conclude that precipitation of iron and manganese carbonates may be a significant ongoing process. If the phenomenon is as wide spread as we believe, it likely could be a significant atmospheric CO2 sponge. In the case of the Appalachian coal fields stretching from western PA through parts of OH, WV, KY, etc, there are literally tens of thousands of cubic kilometers of candidate material available for this sponge effect.
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