Module 7: Carbon Mineralization
Once we’ve captured CO2 from the atmosphere, whether with BECCS or with DAC, we need to put it somewhere such that it permanently locked away and doesn’t get re-emitted. This module explores two different ways this can happen, either by geologically sequestering the CO2, which means compressing it and pumping it down an injection well, or by CO2 mineralization, whereby alkaline rocks above or below ground react with CO2 to form a solid end product. You’ll learn about the science and policy behind each process, where globally they each can potentially occur, and what challenges remain.
High Flyer
1. Carbon Storage (Carbon Capture and Storage - Part 3)
David T Kearns
A clean schematic diagram with good explanations for the different ways to store CO2 after capturing it, explaining the basic advantages and disadvantages of geologic sequestration vs mineralization approaches. Check out Parts 1 and 2 for a deeper dive into point source carbon capture (CCS) if you want to learn more about that.
Video - 12 min
2. How Oman’s Rocks Could Help Save the Planet
New York Times
The first type of mineralization we'll look at is in-situ mineralization, where we put CO2 underground in mafic or ultramafic mineral deposits, where the CO2 will permanently turn into a solid. Learn about how this approach is being used in Oman!
Article - 10 min
3. Enhanced Weathering: Fighting Climate Change with Rock Dust?
The Regeneration Weekly
Another type of mineralization occurs above ground, where the same reactive rocks are spread on farmland, where they react directly with CO2 in the atmosphere to form solid carbonate minerals. This article is a good introduction.
Article - 15 min
Climate Student
4. Iceland and the Surprising Science of Turning CO2 into Rock
The Elephant Podcast
This podcast does on the ground interviews with the CarbFix mineralization project in Iceland that's partnered with Climeworks for their sequestration. Also includes conversation with Klaus Lackner, and explanation of the basic chemistry behind how CO2 mineralization works.
Podcast - 56 min
CarbFix
Check out CarbFix's website to get a better sense of how their process works.
Website - 10 min
6. Rock Dust! with Garrett Boudinot, PhD
This is CDR
Garrett Boudinot walks through some of his research on how rock dust as a soil amendment has the potential to remove gigatons of CO2, from some of the agronomic benefits and the uncertainties with the method.
Video - 63 min
Video - 44 min
7. AirMiners Mine Tailings Event
AirMiners
This roundtable discussion focuses on another method for carbon mineralization, that uses waste products from mines (mine tailings) to absorb CO2, both removing carbon and mitigating a potential environmental hazard.
8. Enhanced Rock Weathering: The fastest-scaling carbon removal technology
UNDO Carbon
UNDO Carbon was recently contracted by Microsoft to provide them with its first carbon removal via enhanced rock weathering (ERW).
Article - 10 min
9. Four Incredible Benefits Of Enhanced Rock Weathering
UNDO Carbon
UNDO Carbon proposes four co-benefits of enhanced rock weathering that combine to “keep the planet fit for future generations.” Read why UNDO believes their form of carbon removal is superior to the others and decide for yourself!
Article - 10 min
Climate Master
10. Carbon Mineralization Roadmap
ICEF
Much like the one in the biomass module, this detailed roadmap is a great place to go deep on the science and potential for all different types of mineralization.
Report - 180 min
11. CDR Primer Sections 3.3 and 3.4
CDR Primer
This could also have gone in the DAC module, but is relevant here because figuring out where to site a DAC operation requires figuring out where energy sources and sequestration wells are co-located. Learn about global sequestration capacity, potential energy sources for DAC, and how these operations might look in the real world.
Report - 60 min
12. Mineralization Carbon Removal Pathways - With Dr. Peter Kelemen
This is CDR
A great and important overview of mineralization, but quite technical.
Video - 68 min
13. Carbon dioxide storage through mineral carbonation
Nature Reviews Earth and Environment
A well-known and really helpful paper about carbon mineralization science. Even if you don't read the whole thing, check out the initial description of the different types of trapping (Figure 1), which is useful to know about.
Report - 90 min
14. Deep Dive on 45Q Tax Credits
Air Miners Events Series
In the United States federal policy realm, sequestration of CO2 (whether from point source capture or DAC) is incentivized by the 45Q tax credit. Learn the details of what it is, how it works, and what the process of claiming it looks like in this deep dive video with a tax lawyer.
Video - 57 min