Date of Award

Spring 5-6-2012

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geosciences

First Advisor

Dr. Daniel M. Deocampo

Second Advisor

Dr. Seth E. Rose

Third Advisor

Dr. W. Crawford Elliott

Abstract

This investigation tested simulated saline lake environments as mineralization sites for sequestering anthropogenic CO2. Four unique saline lakes were simulated in the laboratory. Two sets of experiments were conducted by diffusing CO2(g) through each simulated lake over 30 days. The first set tested the carbonate system response to elevated CO2(g). The second set of experiments replicated the same process but used ammonium hydroxide to elevate pH. Water samples were collected daily to test for cation loss via mineralization. Rapid mineralization occurred with the pH enhancer and cation activity was greatly reduced by as much as 38,000 mg/L Ca due to precipitation. This resulted in a mass of 100,000 mg/L of CO2 being sequestered via Ca and Mg-carbonate mineralization. With proper geochemical conditions, saline lake environments can therefore potentially serve a purpose in sequestering CO2(g).

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/2758807

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