Team uses recirculating water to inject CO2 into rocks, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• Scientists in the arid Jizan region of Saudi Arabia demonstrated a method to trap CO2 without external water sources.
• The demonstration involved pumping water from one well and reinjecting it into another 130 m away.
• Over 10 months, 131 tonnes of CO2 dissolved in water were moved into basaltic rocks.
• Scientists confirmed that 70% of the CO2 was converted to solid carbonate minerals during the trial.

Detailed Insights:

• This mineral storage method significantly reduces water consumption compared to traditional approaches, making it suitable for arid regions.
• The conversion of CO2 into solid carbonate minerals ensures long-term storage and reduces the risk of CO2 leakage back into the atmosphere.
• Basaltic rocks are abundant globally, offering a scalable solution for carbon capture and storage (CCS).
• The project highlights the potential for using closed-loop systems to minimize environmental impact in carbon sequestration efforts.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Carbon Sequestration: The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.
• Basaltic Rocks: Dark-colored, volcanic rocks rich in magnesium and iron, commonly used for CO2 storage due to their reactivity.
• Carbonate Minerals: Solid compounds formed by the reaction of CO2 with minerals, providing a stable form of carbon storage.