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CO2 Immobilisation - Can we turn CO2 back to rocks, and stabilise it for eons?

A Minisymposium sponsored by the NanoGeoScience Group, the Nano-Science Center and the Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen. ALL are welcome.

Abstract
Atmospheric CO2 is rising, driving ocean pH down, which puts marine organisms at risk, and increasing fears of greenhouse gas induced global warming.  Although sustainable energy production may decrease future CO2 emission, it will take generations before the carbon cycle balances itself. Natural rock weathering to soil consumes CO2.  Basalt (black, basic volcanic rock) removes about 1/3 of global CO2 fixed by chemical weathering, producing silica, clay, iron oxides and carbonate minerals, the major components of  chalk, limestone and marble.  In carbonate mineral form, CO2 is stable for hundreds of millions of years. Basaltic glass reacts much faster than other rocks, and there may be ways to increase rates even further, thus making a sink for CO2 produced by aluminium smelting, for example.  Reykjavik Energy, with partners in Iceland, France and USA, is backing a huge project to investigate the feasibility of using basalt as a CO2 filter. Lab investigations and large-scale field tests are underway. Siggi Gislason, who leads the project, will give an overview (with beautiful pictures). Eric Oelkers, an expert on geochemical kinetics and thermodynamics, will explain the chemical background.  The NanoGeoScience group is contributing with expertise on surfaces and nanoparticles of natural materials.  

Both Siggi and Eric are excellent speakers.  They have planned talks for a general audience, but they will also provide deeper background.  ALL are welcome!


13:45  Introduction:  Chalk, basalt, calcite, clay and what controls surface reactivity?  Insights from the nano-scale  Susan Stipp, Nano-Science Center, Chemistry, KU.

14:00  From gas to rock - The Iceland CO2 Immobilisation Project  Sigurður Gíslason, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik

15:00  Coffee and discussion

15:15  The role of basalts on the Global Carbon Cycle  Eric Oelkers, Dept. de Géochemie, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.

16:15  Discussion and refreshments in Auditorium 2