Rapid mineralisation of carbon dioxide in peridotites

Abstract The success of industrial scale carbon capture and storage in geologic reservoirs depends on the permanence of the stored carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Carbon dioxide capture and mineralisation (CCM) or mineral carbonation, which is the conversion of CO 2 to carbonate minerals via fluid-rock reactions provides low risk and permanent CO 2 removal. Here, we demonstrate rapid mineralisation of industrial CO 2 emissions in mantle peridotites. Captured CO 2 from an ammonia plant in the Sultanate of Oman has been injected into peridotite at a pilot test site in the Samail ophiolite. Chemical and isotopic results indicate rapid carbonate mineral precipitation. Mass balance calculations suggest that ~88% of the injected CO 2 was mineralised as carbonate minerals within 45 days after injection. This successful approach of CCM unlocks peridotite as a promising new type of reservoir for the safe and permanent disposal of anthropogenic CO 2 emissions.