Enhanced Weathering for CO2 Removal

22 FEB 2023
The natural process of weathering naturally removes the CO2 that is produced by volcanism. Weathering is the term for the reaction of CO2 and water with rocks. The minerals are broken down in the rocks and locks the CO2 into carbonates. An enhancement of same process could remove the CO2 emissions caused by fossil fuel burning.

This paper Olivine Weathering against Climate Change outlines how the rate of weathering has likely been miscalculated and has thus caused it to be discounted as a useful means of CO2 capture and storage.

Olivine Concrete is a carbon negative concrete created by uses CO2 reacted Olivine in place of cement. "At the end of its life cycle, (concrete) buildings will need to be demolished. The concrete waste product will then be ground up and mixed again with CO2 reacted Olivine... sand, gravel and water will be added with fresh cement (where the CO2 is captured by the olivine process) for a new round of construction. This process could make concrete a recyclable product, without having to make new cement which releases carbon dioxide in its production process."

Here's an explainer on Olivine origins

A New Zealand company is commercialising this use of olivine for industrial scale carbon capture and storage.
By Hab3