Work

Estimated in-situ carbon sequestration rates in a weathered silicate basin, southwestern Idaho, U.S.A.

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Silicate weathering can induce calcite precipitation from groundwater, enabling carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) sequestration in the critical zone (CZ), which acts as a net carbon sink with significant implications for the global carbon budget. In weathered silicates, secondary calcite dissolution accompanies precipitation-dissolution reactions, and it is unclear how calcite dissolution affects CO 2 consumption in natural settings. At the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed - Critical Zone Observatory (RCEW-CZO), southwestern Idaho, USA, we estimate in-situ carbon sequestration rates in a semi-arid weathered silicate aquifer using hydrochemical compositions and age tracers from 6 springs and 10 wells. We delineate water-rock interactions by using observed groundwater chemistry to model open system carbon evolution, evapoconcentration in wells, silicate weathering, and formation of clays along groundwater flowpaths. We suggest carbonate precipitation under closed system conditions in deep groundwater, as calcite saturation is reached and CZ CO 2 drops to just 41 % of initial concentrations in older waters. In a closed system, we estimate approximately 9 % of CZ CO 2 would precipitate, indicating that on-going water-rock interactions in our weathered silicate system appear to drive continued carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration rates via silicate weathering may help to explain a missing C sink observed at the RCEW-CZO and in other weathered silicate basins. • Natural systems are studied at the semi-arid Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed. • Carbon is traced from critical zone CO 2 to secondary calcite precipitation. • In-situ CO 2 sequestration rates are estimated for weathered silicates.

Source: Chemical Geology

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2024.122460