Geochemical Impacts of CO2 Mineralization in Carbonate and Basalt Formations: A Critical Review on Challenges and Future Outlook

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an effective mitigation strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Although sandstone reservoirs have been widely used for CCS due to their favorable properties, their effectiveness is limited by slow mineral trapping. This review explores carbonate and basaltic formations as alternative CO2 storage solutions. Basalt formations contain highly reactive minerals that promote rapid CO2 mineralization. Pilot studies have demonstrated successful mineralization within 2 years. Carbonate formations also show promise for efficient CO2 trapping. However, several challenges must be addressed. These include complex interactions between CO2 and rock substrates, difficulties characterizing carbonate formations, and variable behavior in basalt formations under different conditions. This review comprehensively reviews and analyzes the current state of the art on the dissolution and mineralization processes in carbonate and basalt formations. Key issues such as reservoir characterization, changes in flow properties, and long-term CO2 integrity are highlighted. Additionally, the review identifies critical challenges for large-scale storage, including costs, CO2 injectivity, storage integrity, and effective monitoring techniques. Addressing these challenges is essential for realizing the potential of carbonate and basalt formations for efficient CO2 storage. Successful implementation of these strategies will significantly contribute to mitigating climate change by providing a secure and permanent solution for greenhouse gas emissions.