Ancient rock formations could mitigate more than 3.8 billion tons of industrial emissions, study reveals. A recent University of Edinburgh study has uncovered a novel approach to combating climate change: harnessing the power of ancient and volcanic rock formations across the UK. The research, published in the Earth Science, Systems and Society journal, highlights the potential of these formations to store and mitigate 'unavoidable industrial emissions'.
The study assessed the storage capacity of CO2 emissions in underground volcanic formations around the UK, revealing a theoretical capacity of between 3.8 billion and 4.2 billion tons of CO2. The most promising areas identified by the researchers include Co Antrim in Northern Ireland, the Lake District in England, and the Isle of Skye in Scotland. These locations are rich in calcium and magnesium, which can bind with CO2 in a process known as mineralisation.
The mineralisation process involves dissolving captured CO2 emissions in water and injecting them into subterranean volcanic rocks. The emissions then react with the rock's elements, forming a single, solid mineral. This mineralisation process is described as a 'rapid and secure method' of geological emissions storage.
The University of Edinburgh's study utilized geochemical data and volumetric analysis to determine the theoretical CO2 storage capacity. The Antrim Lava Group in Northern Ireland offers the largest potential storage capacity, ranging from 1.5 billion to 17.3 billion tons. The Borrowdale Volcanic Group in the Lake District follows with an estimated capacity of 8.6 billion tons, and the Skye Lava Group in Scotland with a capacity of 7 billion to 7.8 billion tons.
The research team estimates that these assessed formations could store nearly 45 years' worth of UK industrial CO2 emissions. Study leader Angus Montgomery emphasizes the practical and permanent nature of this solution, adding to the UK's decarbonisation toolkit. University of Edinburgh's personal chairman of geochemistry, Stuart Gilfillan, underscores the urgency of carbon storage, especially in the context of scaling CO2 emissions reduction.
The next steps for the research team include detailed assessments of effective porosity and rock reactivity, which will provide insights into the practical efficiency of CO2 mineralisation in these formations.
