Mineralogical Support for Carbon Dioxide Removal Projects
PetroStrat supports enhanced weathering initiatives with high-resolution mineralogical analyses, helping clients evaluate, optimise and monitor the behaviour of silicate weathering agents (both before and after application).
We combine advanced mineralogical instrumentation with geoscience knowledge developed through decades of global subsurface work. We work collaboratively to develop fit-for-purpose analysis strategies and can design custom workflows based on emerging project needs.
What Is Enhanced Weathering?
Enhanced weathering is a scientifically backed carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology for climate change mitigation. Enhanced weathering mimics natural geological processes whereby when certain minerals are exposed to air and water, they react with CO₂, forming bicarbonate ions. These ions are then stored in groundwaters or transported to the ocean, sequestering the CO₂ and locking it away for millennia. The key concept of enhanced weathering is to take this natural process and accelerate it via the deliberate distribution of ground silicate rocks like basalt or olivine. These minerals react with atmospheric CO₂ more readily when crushed and distributed in environments such as agricultural land or coastlands. Understanding the mineralogical composition of these rocks is crucial for achieving optimal CO₂ capture rates, as well as determining potential environmental side effects.
The effectiveness of enhanced weathering depends on an array of multiple factors. Included in these are the mineral composition of a feedstock, its reactivity, particle size and surface area. The ultimate CO₂ capture capacity of any enhanced weathering project must be supported by robust MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) frameworks. To support these programmes and gain a greater understanding of the enhanced weathering process, mineralogical analysis can play a key role.
PetroStrat Provides Mineralogical Support for Carbon Dioxide Removal Projects
PetroStrat applies decades of mineralogical expertise to support enhanced weathering programmes. Using MAPS Mineralogy QEMSCAN, we analyse multiple characteristics of silicate-rich materials. Our automated mineralogy workflow unlocks valuable insights, not only as a screening technique for weathering agents prior to application, but also for monitoring how these materials change and interact once placed in the natural environment.
Our services include:
- Quantitative mineral composition of feedstock silicates, or of sediments prior to application.
- Grain size distribution for reactivity screening.
- Solid-solution series classification and elemental mapping.
- Heavy metal concentration estimates to assess risk to environment.
- Mineral liberation, free surface and mineral association data to interpret weathering behaviour.
Mineral Map image examples
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Example Applications Of Our Enhanced Weathering Services
PetroStrat’s enhanced weathering services can be used for:
- Material screening before field application
- Establishing baseline conditions at the selected dispersal site
- Tracking post-application interactions, analysis of soils and sediments
- Supporting MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification), helping to determine maximum theoretical CO₂ capture potential
- Research into mineral reactivity and environmental effects
Contact Us To Learn More
To learn more about our enhanced weathering services or to discuss a specific project, reach out to our team via our contact page.
We’re here to support your climate science goals with reliable, high-quality mineralogical data.