Transformation of abundant magnesium silicate minerals for enhanced CO2 sequestration

Abstract Global climate change related to anthropogenic CO 2 emissions is one of the most significant challenges for the future of human life on Earth. There are many potential options for reducing or even eliminating atmospheric CO 2 emissions including underground sequestration, carbon mineralization and ocean storage. One of the most promising materials for carbon mineralization is Mg(OH) 2 which is highly reactive and capable of forming stable carbonates. Here we show a novel low-carbon method of producing Mg(OH) 2 , from globally abundant olivine-rich silicate rocks. A combination of acid digestion and electrolysis of olivine were used to produce Mg(OH) 2 in a fully recoverable system. The use of Mg(OH) 2 from olivine provides a viable pathway for significant industrial scale reductions in global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.