CO₂ Sequestration in Basalt Formations
Project # FWP-45502

Primary Performing Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

This project addresses the concern over greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global climate change by studying the potential of storing the most abundant of them, carbon dioxide (CO₂), in underground basalt aquifers.  The interest in basalt formations comes from unique properties of basalt that result in chemically trapping injected CO₂.  Basalt is a dark colored silica-rich volcanic rock that contains things such as calcium, magnesium, and iron that can combine with CO₂ to form carbonate minerals.  This chemical effect could provide permanent CO₂ storage.

Major basalt formations in this country occur in the Northeast, Southeast, and Pacific Northwest regions.  See Basalt Aquifer Map.  This project will undertake hydro-geological surveys of basalt formations in the United States, as well as those found in India.  In providing a basis for estimating CO₂ capacity and injection rates, the hydro-geological surveys will evaluate the suitability of basalt reservoirs for CO₂ storage, and the rate of conversion of CO₂ to carbonate mineral formations that effectively will isolate CO₂ from the atmosphere permanently.

Success of this project should expand the viable options for geologic CO₂ sequestration in the continental U.S. and provide heretofore unexplored options for CO₂ sequestration in developing countries.

Contact:
Project Manager:  Andrea McNemar, andrea.mcnemar@netl.doe.gov

Related Papers and Publications:

• CO₂ in Basalt Fact Sheet [PDF]