Talk Abstract:

Increasing attention is being focused on the rapid rise of CO₂ levels in the atmosphere, which many believe to be a major contributing factor to global climate change.Sequestering CO₂ in basalt and peridotite formations has been proposed as a long-term solution to help stabilize CO₂ levels. However, before such technology can be developed and implemented, a basic understanding of H₂O–CO₂ systems and the chemical interactions of these fluids with the host formation must be obtained. We ran experiments to quantitatively evaluate the carbonation reaction kinetics as CO₂-rich fluids react with olivine (Fo₉₀) and high-Mg basalts. Dissolution kinetics measurements like these are essential for modeling the rate at which CO₂-saturated fluids react with basalt and ultimately drive conversion rates to carbonate minerals in situ.

Research Intrests:

My current research involves CO₂ sequestration in minerals in laboratory experiments and in situ borehole injections in confined aquifers; marine volcanology; geochemistry and petrology of igneous systems; mantle geochemistry, and marine geology and tectonics.