Authors
Sasha Wilson, Anna L Harrison, Gregory M Dipple, Ian M Power, Shaun LL Barker, K Ulrich Mayer, Stewart J Fallon, Mati Raudsepp, Gordon Southam
Publication date
2014/6/1
Journal
International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control
Volume
25
Pages
121-140
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
The hydrated Mg-carbonate mineral, hydromagnesite [Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O], precipitates within mine tailings at the Mount Keith Nickel Mine, Western Australia as a direct result of mining operations. We have used quantitative mineralogical data and δ13C, δ18O and F14C isotopic data to quantify the amount of CO2 fixation and identify carbon sources. Our radiocarbon results indicate that at least 80% of carbon stored in hydromagnesite has been captured from the modern atmosphere. Stable isotopic results indicate that dissolution of atmospheric CO2 into mine tailings water is kinetically limited, which suggests that the current rate of carbon mineralization could be accelerated. Reactive transport modeling is used to describe the observed variation in tailings mineralogy and to estimate rates of CO2 fixation. Based on our assessment, approximately 39,800 t/yr of atmospheric CO2 are being trapped and stored in …
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