MIT geophysicists used X-ray CT scanning to study how basalt rock changes during carbon mineralization, a process where CO2 is pumped underground and solidifies into minerals. Experiments showed that rock permeability drops sharply within a day as carbonate minerals clog narrow microfractures connecting larger pores, while overall porosity decreases much more slowly. Crucially, fluid continued to flow and minerals kept forming even after the permeability drop, suggesting underground reservoirs may store more carbon than initially apparent. The team also found that ultrasonic sensors can reliably track porosity changes, offering a monitoring method for real-world carbon storage sites. Results support carbon mineralization as a viable long-term CO2 storage strategy.
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