Rock On!

A paper in the American Geophysical Union suggests that some rocks can be enlisted to help reduce the atmospheric concentrations of climate-heating, carbon dioxide (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/mar/02/terrawatch-how-carbon-eating-rocks-could-help-fight-climate-crisis). Certain rocks undergo carbon mineralisation. This happens naturally and can store the carbon, from carbon dioxide, for thousands of years. It was once thought that this process would be very transient, as pores in the rock would become 'clogged up', preventing the entry of gas. New research, however, with the mineral olivine, shows that crystals created during mineralisation, expand the rock. This forces new cracks to appear, opening up fresh surfaces for carbon storage. It appears that the process can continue for at least one month. 'Carbon-eating rocks' may prove to be a viable alternative to attempting to store liquified carbon dioxide in underground chambers. There is always the possibility that carbon dioxide will escape from such subterranean depots.