Mineral resources for in-situ carbonation of CO₂ in the Arabian Shield

Commonly adopted storage techniques to reduce CO² concentration in the atmosphere have significant limitations in terms of cost, monitoring and safety. Thus, innovative techniques such as carbonation involving the reaction of CO² with some silicate minerals have been proposed. The carbonation ensures permanent fixation rather than the temporary storage and hence provides safe, low-cost and sustainable method for storing CO². Moreover, the resulting carbonate minerals are stable over geological time periods. Because of its favourable geological setting, Saudi Arabia has a considerable potential for carbonation minerals. Such minerals are associated with ultramafic and mafic igneous rocks within the Arabian Shield which covers extensive areas in the western part of the country. After describing the carbonation process and suitable minerals, their spatial distributions in various rock types are outlined. Finally, the in-situ carbonation of these minerals and the expected benefits are discussed.