Laboratory experiments of carbon mineralization potential of the main terrestrial basalt reservoirs in China

Abstract

Against the background of realizing the goal of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”, using basaltic rocks for carbon mineralization is one of the most promising approaches to reduce the rise in atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. This study conducted a series of experiments to assess carbon mineralization in nine basalt samples from the main terrestrial basalt reservoirs in China within CO₂-H₂O/brine-rock systems at low temperatures (≤35 °C). The results indicate that the secondary carbonates formed in the CO₂-H₂O/brine-basalt system are predominantly calcite rather than Mg-carbonate minerals at low temperatures (≤35 °C). Hence, at low temperatures (≤35 °C), basalt rich in Ca-bearing minerals promotes the formation of stable carbonate minerals more effectively than basalt containing Mg-bearing minerals. Furthermore, under conditions of low temperatures (≤35 °C) and pressures of approximately 3 MPa, the results suggest that alkaline olivine basalt, with a higher content of Ca-minerals and typical alkaline minerals (nepheline and Na-sanidine), exhibits the highest pH value and the highest amount of calcite. Hence, the alkaline minerals, nepheline and Na-sanidine, serve as pH buffers to increase the pH and promote the precipitation of calcite within CO₂-H₂O– basalt systems at low temperatures (≤35 °C). Among the nine evaluated basalts, basalt from the Shandong Linqu-Changle volcanic basin exhibits the highest rate of carbon mineralization at low temperatures (≤35 °C). Hence, Cenozoic alkaline olivine basalt from Shandong Linqu-Changle volcanic basin is one of the most promising basalt reservoirs in China for future in- situ carbonation. As for ex- situ carbonation, compared with olivine, diopside or Ca-plagioclase may be more appropriate for increasing ocean negative emissions.