In a unique experiment, scientists from Iceland have discovered a new way to trap the greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground by changing it into rock.
The new way was discovered as by Scientists from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and other institutions as part of a pilot program called CarbFix project.
The pilot program was launched in 2012 at the Hellisheidi power plant- the world’s largest geothermal facility in Iceland.
Key Points
In the CarbFix project, scientists pumped CO2 and water, 540 metre underground into volcanic rock at the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant. In this method, CO2 is dissolved with water (termed as carbonation) is pumped into volcanic rocks called basalts.
Later, the CO2 solidifies turning into a solid mineral (calcite), which can then be stored.
In the research it was found that 95% of the gas was captured and converted in two years.
Significance
This technique the speedy carbonation has potential to combat climate change and may provide a safer, faster way to sequester CO2 and limit global warming.
In future, it could be a viable way to store CO2 underground permanently and without risk of leakage.
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