Security of geological CO2 storage is enhanced via self-sealing caprock mineral reactive transport mechanisms (opens in new tab)

The long-term security of geological CO2 storage hinges on the integrity of caprock formations, traditionally considered vulnerable to acid-induced dissolution from injected CO2 and associated impurities. Contrary to this view, we demonstrate that impurity-bearing CO2 can enhance caprock integrity through mineralization-driven self-sealing. Reactive transport modeling across three CO2 storage sites shows that silicate minerals, particularly smectite and chlorite, facilitate the precipitation ...