85-3 Evaluating the potential for basalt carbonation in the North Mountain Basalt, Atlantic Canada

Session: The Power of Hard Rocks: Driving the Energy Transition and Serving Society

Presenting Author:

Benjamin Tutolo

Authors:

Tutolo, Benjamin Michael¹, Hwang, Bohyun², Awolayo, Adedapo³, Tian, Jianwei⁴, Davidson-Lindfors, Naya⁵, Nielsen, Julia⁶

(1) University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, (2) University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada, (3) McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, (4) McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, (5) McMaster University, Hamltion, Canada, (6) McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada,

Abstract:

Basalt carbonation presents robust opportunities for durable, long-term carbon removal from the atmosphere. Indeed, global assessments indicate effectively inexhaustible capacity for CO₂ injection into basaltic rocks. Yet, the number of pilot-scale CO₂ injection operations remains small, and the diversity of basalt reactivities and hydrogeologic properties remains underexplored. In this study, we combine geophysical analysis, core characterization, laboratory experiments, and reactive transport simulations to explore the possibilities for basalt mineralization in the North Mountain Basalt, which outcrops in and underlies the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The target layers are generally relatively shallow, with maximum depths of several hundred meters. Analyzed samples of these layers are characterized by relatively low (<10%) porosity, pore-filling alteration minerals (e.g., zeolite), and a high degree of heterogeneity in both porosity and mineralogy. In water-rock±CO₂ interaction experiments, the zeolitized samples showed enhanced ability to buffer pH relative to less altered basalts, but the latter produced higher concentrations of carbonate-forming cations (Ca and Mg). Reactive transport simulations indicate that the heterogeneity of the North Mountain Basalt aquifers plays a strong role in mineralization rates and capacity. Together, our work suggests that the North Mountain Basalt can provide a scalable carbon sink, up to 100s of megatonnes of CO₂, but that the degree of alteration and the overall heterogeneity of the system will likely limit the ability to meet these capacities.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-7705

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