Potential and challenges of underground CO2 storage via in-situ mineralization in Switzerland
Abstract Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies play a critical role in achieving global and Swiss climate goals, particularly with Switzerland aiming to domestically store some of its residual CO2 emissions. In situ mineralization presents a promising avenue for stable and permanent CO2 sequ...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Swiss Journal of Geosciences |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s00015-024-00473-4 |
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| _version_ | 1832585508152147968 |
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| author | Adrian Martin Viola Becattini Chiara Marieni Salka Kolbeinsdóttir Marco Mazzotti Thanushika Gunatilake |
| author_facet | Adrian Martin Viola Becattini Chiara Marieni Salka Kolbeinsdóttir Marco Mazzotti Thanushika Gunatilake |
| author_sort | Adrian Martin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies play a critical role in achieving global and Swiss climate goals, particularly with Switzerland aiming to domestically store some of its residual CO2 emissions. In situ mineralization presents a promising avenue for stable and permanent CO2 sequestration. This study aims to evaluate the potential of CO2 storage via in situ mineralization in the Swiss underground. A set of technical/geological criteria was defined and used to identify, evaluate, and classify the various geological formations. The selected areas identified and evaluated include alpine tectonic units with large volumes of mafic and ultramafic rocks. Despite the presence of suitable rock types, these units are marked by alpine deformation with highly complex structures, rock mixtures, and complex bedrock hydrogeology. The old, altered, and metamorphic nature of the alpine mafic and ultramafic rock formations results in minimal permeability and porosity, consequently impeding CO2 injectivity and mineralization kinetics, particularly given the low average geothermal gradient. Additionally, challenges related to water resource requirements, storage site location and accessibility, financial costs, regulation, social acceptance, and environmental impacts further impact feasibility negatively. This study concludes that CO2 sequestration via in situ mineralization in the Swiss context is unfeasible in the near term and possibly unsuitable in the long one. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-93b5f21049d94b89945acd5451e6bf45 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1661-8726 1661-8734 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Swiss Journal of Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-93b5f21049d94b89945acd5451e6bf452025-01-26T12:45:36ZengSpringerOpenSwiss Journal of Geosciences1661-87261661-87342025-01-01118111610.1186/s00015-024-00473-4Potential and challenges of underground CO2 storage via in-situ mineralization in SwitzerlandAdrian Martin0Viola Becattini1Chiara Marieni2Salka Kolbeinsdóttir3Marco Mazzotti4Thanushika Gunatilake5Energy Science Center (ESC), Institute of Energy and Process Engineering, ETH ZurichEnergy Science Center (ESC), Institute of Energy and Process Engineering, ETH ZurichCarbFixCarbFixEnergy Science Center (ESC), Institute of Energy and Process Engineering, ETH ZurichInstitute of Geophysics, Swiss Seismological Service, ETH ZurichAbstract Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies play a critical role in achieving global and Swiss climate goals, particularly with Switzerland aiming to domestically store some of its residual CO2 emissions. In situ mineralization presents a promising avenue for stable and permanent CO2 sequestration. This study aims to evaluate the potential of CO2 storage via in situ mineralization in the Swiss underground. A set of technical/geological criteria was defined and used to identify, evaluate, and classify the various geological formations. The selected areas identified and evaluated include alpine tectonic units with large volumes of mafic and ultramafic rocks. Despite the presence of suitable rock types, these units are marked by alpine deformation with highly complex structures, rock mixtures, and complex bedrock hydrogeology. The old, altered, and metamorphic nature of the alpine mafic and ultramafic rock formations results in minimal permeability and porosity, consequently impeding CO2 injectivity and mineralization kinetics, particularly given the low average geothermal gradient. Additionally, challenges related to water resource requirements, storage site location and accessibility, financial costs, regulation, social acceptance, and environmental impacts further impact feasibility negatively. This study concludes that CO2 sequestration via in situ mineralization in the Swiss context is unfeasible in the near term and possibly unsuitable in the long one.https://doi.org/10.1186/s00015-024-00473-4Carbon capture and storage (CCS)in-situ mineralizationgeological site screeningmafic and ultramafic rocksSwiss alpine geology |
| spellingShingle | Adrian Martin Viola Becattini Chiara Marieni Salka Kolbeinsdóttir Marco Mazzotti Thanushika Gunatilake Potential and challenges of underground CO2 storage via in-situ mineralization in Switzerland Swiss Journal of Geosciences Carbon capture and storage (CCS) in-situ mineralization geological site screening mafic and ultramafic rocks Swiss alpine geology |
| title | Potential and challenges of underground CO2 storage via in-situ mineralization in Switzerland |
| title_full | Potential and challenges of underground CO2 storage via in-situ mineralization in Switzerland |
| title_fullStr | Potential and challenges of underground CO2 storage via in-situ mineralization in Switzerland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Potential and challenges of underground CO2 storage via in-situ mineralization in Switzerland |
| title_short | Potential and challenges of underground CO2 storage via in-situ mineralization in Switzerland |
| title_sort | potential and challenges of underground co2 storage via in situ mineralization in switzerland |
| topic | Carbon capture and storage (CCS) in-situ mineralization geological site screening mafic and ultramafic rocks Swiss alpine geology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s00015-024-00473-4 |
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