What is Carbon Mineralization?
Carbon mineralization, also known as carbonatization or enhanced rock weathering, is a natural geological process where carbon dioxide reacts with certain minerals (typically magnesium- or calcium-rich silicates) to form stable, solid carbonate minerals. This process effectively locks away CO₂ in a durable, non-gaseous form, mimicking how geological formations capture carbon over millions of years.
Why is Carbon Mineralization important?
Carbon mineralization is important because it offers a highly permanent and inherently safe method of carbon storage, transforming CO₂ into a stable rock. It has the potential for very large-scale carbon removal, utilizing abundant mineral resources, and can be applied both in situ (underground) and ex situ (on the surface or in engineered reactors).
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Frequently asked questions
Naturally, carbon mineralization occurs very slowly as rainwater (containing dissolved CO₂) reacts with silicate rocks, forming new carbonate minerals over geological timescales.
It can be accelerated by grinding up reactive rocks to increase surface area, increasing temperature and pressure, or by injecting CO₂ into suitable underground rock formations where it reacts to form carbonates.
Yes, carbon mineralization results in highly permanent storage because the CO₂ is converted into stable, solid carbonate minerals, which are essentially rock and will not easily revert to gaseous CO₂.